Zip line advice

[cbjeeper]

So my son is 6 and his buddy got a zip line for Christmas, now to keep up with the Jones we "need" one. I've looked online and have seen the kit with seat and 100' of cable for $200. Seeing if anyone here has been down this road before I go the kit route. Is it better in the long run to buy the parts separately and have a better cable? Thanks

 

[XJsavage]

I could imagine you would need to figure out a way to preload tension a lot! I haven't done an actual zip line yet but from several things similar, a cable grip and a come-along is a must.make sure everything is stainless too.

 

[anvilrubi]

How far away is his buddy? Try to burn him out playing on his friends give it a few weeks and it’ll be like anything else

 

[R Q]

I built one in my yard when my son was about 7 or 8 and I left some slack in it so it would slow down towards the end. I tightened it up as he got better at it. I used braided steel cable and cable clamps and it worked fine. I used a handle that I got a Lowes or somewhere.
One of my customers bought a kit with the built in come along and it's pretty trick but is no better than the one I made.

 

[cbjeeper]

How far away is his buddy? Try to burn him out playing on his friends give it a few weeks and it’ll be like anything else

Not too far away, I like the way you think sir!

 

[ramjo]

You got a winch on your rig? Instant zip line. Just need the harness for the kid.

If not, good excuse to get one now .

 

[anvilrubi]

Not too far away, I like the way you think sir!

Kinda went through something like this with a half pipe back when tony hawk was on tv everyday

 

[cbjeeper]

You got a winch on your rig? Instant zip line. Just need the harness for the kid.

If not, good excuse to get one now .

Yes I do!

 

[BigBody79]

Last time this came up. I did some light googling. I still get zip line ads all the time. Apparently not an often searched item. Watch and see.

No constructive advice to add.

 

[BrianGreen]

Winch cable comes up on here for sale often. New take off would be best. Build the rest.

 

[mommucked]

A big azz rope swing w an elevated launch platform, tree house,steep hill etc. beats a 100' zip line every day. With the right set up you can swing/fly down and back up and swing again as long as you want to.

 

[drkelly]

I built one for my son a couple of years ago. I can't remember where I bought it from, but I ended up piecing my own system together instead of buying a kit. I used one of the bungee brake line kits too. It worked out great, but my son has not used it as much as I thought he would.

 

[McCracken]

I've considered doing this at our new house. I've got a butt load of cable, both 3/8" and 5/16". In my big kid mind, I imagine it looking like an Ewok village but in reality it'll probably be 8' off the ground and only to one tree.