[philmont] Supercharged Gutter Spikes

Can someone who knows exactly what one of these looks like post a link to a picture of one please. I went to Home Depot and all they have are some big light weight nail looking things. This may be what everyone refers to when they speak of Gutter nails but I want to be sure before buying and trying them. Help please with a link. Thanks
   
   
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  OK, here's the poop on gutter spikes from the original "Gutter Spike Scouter"
   
  Big, ALUMINUM nail looking things are what you are looking for. Bought right from gutter supply companies, they cost about 10 cents each. They are a little less than 1/4" in dia and about 8 or 9 inches long.
   
  The advantage over aluminum tent stakes is twofold. First----strength. They are made from tempered aluminum. That means they don't bend as easily as "tent stakes" and the second is cost. AS previously posted, they can be bought right for 10 cents each.
   
  Look around for GUTTER SUPPLIERS in the larger cities. I buy them through a supplier in Houston, TX and they sell them by the gross, that's 144. The last time I bought them the entire gross cost me less than $15.00.
   
  Now you need to "supercharge" them to make them easier to find.
   
  First, I spray paint them bright International safety orange.
   
  Then I talk a trucker out of some of those UN hazardous diamond signs they put on trucks and tank cars. They are heavy plastic. You want the reflective ones. Cut a 1" round washer like thing out of it and punch a hole in the center. You then thread it onto the gutter spike. It's strong and weighs next to nothing.
   
  The purpose is twofold.
   
  First it helps prevent the cord from slipping off the head of the spike.
   
  Secondly, and more importantly, it reflects so you can see the thing at night with a dim light.
   
  This makes that midnight trip to the loo a little less dangerous.
   
  And while on this subject. One of the tent manufacturers makes some line called "Trip Tease" which is very reflective. I have it on all my tents. Expensive, but well worth it.
   
  For more on Gutter Spikes, see my post on Seldens webpage.
   
  John LeBlanc
   
   

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Received on Mon Dec 25 20:35:27 2006