[cheque]

There’s surely got to be a point in all this where you just think “you know what, it would be a lot easier to just climb routes for the hottest couple of months of the year”. 

[tomtom]

There’s surely got to be a point in all this where you just think “you know what, it would be a lot easier to just climb routes for the hottest couple of months of the year”. 

Nope :D

[teestub]

There’s surely got to be a point in all this where you just think “you know what, it would be a lot easier to just climb routes for the hottest couple of months of the year”. 

 

[turnipturned]

There’s surely got to be a point in all this where you just think “you know what, it would be a lot easier to just climb routes for the hottest couple of months of the year”. 

I took mine to Kilnsey tonight as ones the only fucker not getting bitten to death by midges!!!!

[andy_e]

There’s surely got to be a point in all this where you just think “you know what, it would be a lot easier to just climb routes for the hottest couple of months of the year”. 

Nonsense. Routes are such faff with loads of gear. All you need for bouldering is boots and a chalk bag. OK, maybe 3-4 pairs of boots and a chalk bucket. And a mat of course. Best make that two or three mats in case there's a sketchy landing, and a small mat to start sitting off. Oh, don't forget thirteen different kinds of brush for every hold type. Then of course, a brush on a stick too. You'll need a ladder to reach the final moves obviously. Not forgetting the liquid chalk and sandpaper for good skin care. A foam roller and other self-massaging implements are necessary to keep your body in good shape. Enough food to last the day/feed a small army. Various down jackets/windproofs/hoodies/waterproofs for those changing weather conditions, all stuffed into your mat. And now a fan too, of course. Strap everything together with luggage straps, and you're good to go! Far less gear than routes...

[SamT]

Lamps, you forgot the lamps for those primo afterdark conditions.

[galpinos]

Andy, how on earth do you warm up without a Theraband and portable fingerboard? I could never be as minimalist as you........

[Dexter]

How are you even going to consider starting to warm up without first making a coffee
with your stove and stove top espresso maker. Essential bouldering gear right there

[T_B]

You forgot your portable fingerboard.

(Oops beaten to it)

[Bradders]

Ok. I’ve taken the plunge and got myself a fan battery combo for (drumroll....) £45.98.

Thanks for doing the legwork on this TT. I've shamelessly and whole-heartedly copied you. Will hopefully at least make summer fingerboard sessions more pleasant!

[tomtom]

👍👍 I know of three others who’ve done the same - might be a run on these in Homebase 😂

[Bradders]

I'm afraid Leeds residents will now need to drive to Harrogate for their nearest stock

Also noticed a leaf blower that uses the same battery for £20. Tempting...

[tomtom]

Also noticed a leaf blower that uses the same battery for £20. Tempting...

I thought it was tiny!

[tomtom]

https://imgur.com/gallery/GccLC65

😂

[Fultonius]

I reckon you might be onto something with a leaf blower...surely for directional air flow (e.g. onto a particular hold) there's nothing better?!

Good for keeping the mats clean too 😃

Wow, finally an actual use for a leaf blower! 

[sxrxg]

I know summer season is coming to an end however I have just picked up one of the Aldi fans listed earlier in the thread (https://www.aldi.co.uk/18v-li-ion-cordless-fan/p/014031276173400) as the local has them reduced to £29.99. Only 9inch diameter so not as large as some of the others, it does come with two batteries though and a charging cable so seems good value at the price. Thought I would post in case anyone hasn't bought one yet and was after a cheap option.

[tomtom]

Ok. I’ve taken the plunge and got myself a fan battery combo for (drumroll....) £45.98.

Some intense googling led to... an ozito (??) fan from Homebase £21 looks similar to the makita folding one. 5 year warranty apparently....

https://www.homebase.co.uk/ozito-power-x-change-18v-cordless-fan-skin_p389390

And a power X 3ah battery and fast charger combo (compatible) from toolstation for £24.98

https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-power-x-change-18v-li-ion-battery-charger/p13525?store=GR&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=CjwKCAjw67XpBRBqEiwA5RCocfQ-z8-3UlRwSrwA5gxLU-qk5UewNo_jvvip479bkbNCAD0lQpwpUxoCdt4QAvD_BwE

Been and picked them up and it all works fine.

Positives. Fan folds flat - see second pic - and it’s well light. Easy slip inside a boulder mat. All seems to work ok and it’s bloody cheap.

Negatives - well there’s no mains power lead for the fan alone - it’s just battery. But that’s no real problem for me. Also - I am now tempted to buy some power tools to go with the battery 😂

No Idea how well it performs compared to Makita ones - but it’s dishing out a decent amount of air now.

I also got a gadget from Homebase to turn the battery into a USB power supply for £6 (makita ones were 15...).

Edit - speed specs are 3.3 and 5 m/s air speed (on the fan not the web)


https://imgur.com/gallery/j9swUuX


https://imgur.com/gallery/4gLRvp0

Noticed the Ozito fans were down to £33 at Homebase yesterday. Not as cheap as last year but if you can get the battery/charger combo cheap too then it’s a good deal. Mines getting plenty of use by my woodie at the moment (and still doing fine after a year)

[spidermonkey09]

Screwfix do an excellent wired one for £35 which is really good if you dont need cordless capacity.

[Paul B]

Screwfix do an excellent wired one for £35 which is really good if you dont need cordless capacity.

In the fan geekery dept. these:
https://www.cleva-uk.com/products/vacmaster-air-mover
(or similar) seem to be a firm favourite with those who use Trainerroad to suffer train. I've only come across them abroad when the plumbing went wrong and a house needed a serious amount of drying out.

[tomtom]

Only for anyone with an Ozito fan already - wickes are doing some Einhell cordless tools with a free 3ah battery and charger... the pick (for me) was this reciprocating saw for £47 - battery and charger worth at least £30... spare battery for a snip if you need any other cordless tools. They had strimmers/drills etc as well in the deal.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Einhell-TE-AP-18-Li-Solo-18V-Cordless-Reciprocating-All-Purpose-Saw---Bare/p/207902

[cofe]

I know summer season is coming to an end however I have just picked up one of the Aldi fans listed earlier in the thread (https://www.aldi.co.uk/18v-li-ion-cordless-fan/p/014031276173400) as the local has them reduced to £29.99. Only 9inch diameter so not as large as some of the others, it does come with two batteries though and a charging cable so seems good value at the price. Thought I would post in case anyone hasn't bought one yet and was after a cheap option.

Wondered if you had any feedback on this? Were you blown away by it?

Or if there’s any other up-to-date knowledge on fans ... ?

[sxrxg]

It has been a great fan for using on my garage wall. Plenty of power and battery lasts a couple of hours on full power (usually keep the other battery on charge and just switch straight out when it dies). Also great value when I got it for £30, possibly not such a deal now it is £50 and other options maybe available at this price point.

Only minor compliant compared to some of the other more expensive options is that it doesn't fold flat so I have to strap it to the outside of my pads and it is a bit bulky whereas some of the Makita ones etc go flat and can pushed inside a pad. Something to think about depending upon walk ins.

[SA Chris]

Are these things useful in any way for improving conditions. I don't expect for an entire crag, maybe for getting the seaside greasiness (what Capetonians call shlauk) from the occasional crucial hold in a shady niche?

[Bradders]

I have the Ozito fan thanks to TTs recommendation. It's been brilliant, makes a real difference for bouldering throughout the year.

[cofe]

Nice one, thanks. Funnily enough I need a new cordless drill (and could get Makita + batteries), but I'll probably get a Dewalt one and I'm looking at the Aldi fan for the garage, mainly.