DIY project: Ultralight pot gripper

After reading forum threads on pot grippers I decided to get my old MSR gripper out, and start thinking about how to make it lighter without loosing stability. The original version weighs about 45 grams (1,6 oz). The Trangia version is 48 grams (1,7 oz). A new MRS gripper, the Litelifter™ weighs 28 grams (1 oz) according to their website.

Improvement of the old MSR gripper: I started with filing off the rivets that holds the two pieces together. Then I filed off unnecessary material around the edges of each piece, and mad the holes larger where the stress would be lower. I was careful at the front of the gripper, near the axle, where the stress is high when a heavy pot is lifted or tilted. The advantage of using a file for the holes is that you can shape them in any way you like to optimize the strength to weight ratio. I also shortened the gripper from about 125 mm (4,9 in) to 112 mm (4,4 in). The rivets where replaced with a small screw and nut.

After a few sessions with filing and testing I got the weight down to 31 grams (). I could not notice any problems, even with heavier loads. I started to suspect that the design is very over-dimensioned, at least for use with smaller pots.

New pot gripper prototype: Next step is to build a new gripper from scratch in a thinner material. The original's material thickness was 2 millimeters (0,08 in). I chose a 1 millimeter (0,04 in) sheet of aluminium/aluminum for the new version. I also made the new version a little shorter and narrower. The new length: 105 mm (4,1 in). The length can be shortened more or less depending on how the gripper is used. I eat from my pot, and hold it with the gripper during a meal (or while it's still hot), so I need a good comfortable length.

The width of the handle of the old MSR gripper was 24 mm (0,9 in) and the the new version is 18 millimeters (0,7 in) wide (not including side supports at the front).

The material I used came from the tube from an old vacuum cleaner. I cut off two pieces of tube (120 mm / 4,7 in each). Then I shaped the two pieces with a vise, some pliers, and a hammer. The details and holes where done with files and drill bits. After some work I had pieces looking like this:


The parts after some cutting, shaping, drilling, and filing. Weight: 18 grams (0,6 oz).

After even more drilling, filing and testing, the gripper looks like this:


The new ligher pot gripper prototype. Weight: 16 grams (0,56 oz).

Result: The new pot gripper weighs 16 grams (0,56 oz), and is very stable for both lifting a full pot, and tilting it (to pour contents). It's also comfortable to hold a pot while eating from it. I did not notice any problems for pots from 1-2 liters, even when full to the rim. It may be too weak for larger loads, but I have no pots to test with, and no need for that kind of strength.

Conclusions: The traditional Trangia and MSR pot grippers are over-dimensioned and too heavy. The clever design will be strong enough with thinner material, at least for use with smaller pots. It would be interesting to try this design with even thinner material in titanium.

Cycling with skis: Glittertind

2008-06-05: Veofjellet - Glitterheim (18 km cycling)

I wake up at six and start cycling at seven. There is ice on small pools of water, but already warm in the air. The sun is only below the horizon for a couple of hours each night. The road gets worse and the ride takes longer than expected. It's hard work to get through the soft wet gravel just after the winter. It will get better in a few weeks when motor vehicles has made the road surface firm. I arrive at Glitterheim mountain station around noon, and the average speed was only 8 km/h according to the bicycle computer. The place is closed and there is no one there. I haven't seen another person since Randsverk.


The road to Glitterheim.

I unpack my gear and start sorting through every thing. One pile for stuff that stays at Glitterheim, and one pile for stuff that is needed for the next part of the expedition - the ascent and descent of Mt. Glittertind, the second highest mountain in Norway. Bicycle related gear stays, and also everything related to camping and cooking. I will bring some needed clothes, snacks, drinks and skiing equipment. I'm ready to start around 12:30. There is a large snowfield that goes all the way down to the main building at Glitterheim, so I can put the skis on right away. 200 meters higher there is only large fields of rocks with a few small snowfields. I have to carry the skis along the trail for a couple of hundred meters of altitude.


Skiing up the snow fields of Glittertind.

Higher up there is snow all the way to the summit. The snow is wet and soft but compact, and not rotten - great for skiing both up and down. I get good grip with some old ski wax.


Skiing on the higher snow fields of Glittertind (2464 m). The summit is on the left. The photo is taken with tripod and timer.

Just under the summit i leave the skis to walk the last 50 meters. The weather is clear and the views are stunning. Hurrungane's razor sharp peaks are easy to recognize to the west and Galhøpiggen, five meters higher than Glittertind, is just across the Visdalen valley. It looks busy with several well trodden trails from Spiterstulen and Juvashytta. On Glittertind there are no other people, and no tracks other than my own. It's a great feeling to have this beautiful nature all to myself, but I wouldn't mind to meet at least one person coming up to the summit from the other side. It doesn't happen.


Just below the summit of Glittertind (2464 m).

I stay on the summit for about one hour. Then it's time for some telemark skiing.


Great views of Jotunheimen National Park from the summit of Glittertind.



My ski tracks on the lower snow fields on Glittertind.

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