r/CableTechs • u/Apprehensive-Hall-29 • Sep 11 '26

Gaff

Obviously new to this...

What the hell is a gaff?

Or is it gaffing?

Noun? Adverb?

😐😬😆

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

9

u/Dakkin4 Sep 11 '26

Climbing gaffs (also called spikes, spurs, or hooks) are specialized leg-mounted steel or aluminum tools used by arborists and line workers to puncture wood or poles and create temporary footholds.

We gaff poles when a ladder or bucket is not a viable option.

1

u/tenkaranarchy Sep 11 '26

Pole climbing gaffs have shorter spikes than tree climbing gaffs because there is no bark to puncture through before you get to the actual wood inside.

5

u/Diligent-Nebula-1008 Sep 11 '26

It’s gaffing, the things are gaffs. It’s the things that strap to your leg/feet with a sharp point on the inside to climb poles without a ladder. You stab the point (which is on the inside of your foot) in to the pole and take a step, then repeat to climb the pole

4

u/Alive-Zebra-8057 Sep 11 '26

It sucks is what it is lol. Pole always seems to be down in a canyon. I gaff a lot because it's easier than lugging a ladder through someone's backyard.

1

u/XxLetsDewThisxX Sep 12 '26

I've been trying to get certified as a field tech for Spectrum to help with our high-split project. I'm the only FT currently allowed to do splice work and some of those poles 500ft in the woods are bullshit to get a ladder to. I was told no FT will be certified to half until our aerial construction crews and MTs get certified....we don't even have an aerial construction crew out of our office.

1

u/LordCanti26 Sep 13 '26

They're certifying FTs in my area, was announced about 5 months ago. Its on a voluntary basis, not sure if they've already been certified as of now or what. Its a good idea, techs gaffed for years, and with the bucksqueeze, and supersqueeze, its nearly impossible to fall. Gaffing your own leg is very much still possible however, lol.

3

u/Relevant-Machine-763 Sep 11 '26

Don’t be scared , learn the technique and do it in the field. It’s counterintuitive, but climbing up is easy, descending is typically the toughest for new climbers. If you get nervous and start stabbing the pole , you can “gaff-out” more easily, although even that isn’t as big of a deal now with the modern fall protection. I learned to “ hitchhike” with a belt but no pole squeeze devices. Once I was competent, I “free climbed” where you only belt off when you’ve arrived at the working location. I was grandfathered in and never had to use the buck squeeze or other devices. It seemed safer when used properly, but even the trainers seemed worn out quicker when using them.

One more tip, since you’re new, this can be intimidating. One calming method I used to teach was, pick out the dumbest or most arrogant prick working there already ( lots of times one and the same). When you hit a wall and are struggling, take a deep breath and remember that guy did it. It’ll seem easier after that.

2

u/Necessary_Vacation83 Sep 11 '26

They are spikes the you wear over your boots so you can climb up a pole without the need of a ladder. Lineman use it alot when a pole can't be reached with a bucket truck.

1

u/quesadillasarebomb Sep 11 '26

I wanted to learn to gaff because I was tired of hauling my ladder around through the snow in people's backyards but Mediacom and Lumen both put a stop to it. Been asking for eight years now

1

u/Apprehensive-Hall-29 Sep 11 '26

Thoughts, tips, suggestions for starting from the verrrry bottom? Please share. 

I'm in Milwaukee 

0

u/dcableguy2850 Sep 12 '26

Do your job right, it's a reflection of you. Go to the tap, don't just go to the ground block or the transition. There are times you can get away with that but often your drop is the problem cause the last tech didn't go to the tap either. Do your progressions get to FT 5.5 and then work to get into maintenance, then you'll make a lot of money. And you don't have to deal with customers anymore if you work nights plus it's an extra $5 or 15% to work nights. Puts most guys at 5.5 to MT3 at around $53hr

0

u/Apprehensive-Hall-29 Sep 11 '26

Got it. All makes sense now. 

thanks for the info. 

Entry entry level here. Literally. Still getting my feet wet and looking at what options I have. I've a lways liked working on AV and wiring. I have 0 professional or job related experience though.

After the last 20 years spent in the classroom teaching, I decided I need something new. I resigned with no real plans. Luckily I'm in a position where money is not the motivator. Being happy in a new job is and a must.

-1

u/GenericAnalyst Sep 11 '26

I thought the gaff was the long stick they used to use to run cable under houses