Simmons Roller Question

[Cody JW]

I have used the same ball bearing simmons roller for some time now and have a question about how it is attached to the plate. Several years ago I had a local guy put it togeather for me and has worked fine for years.The simmons has slots in the housing to slide a bar through , then the bar is screwed to the plate.On mine the bar was made slightly narrower than the slots in the roller. This allows some play in the roller. I was told that this will allow the roller to move some as your torso moves when climbing putting less stress on the roller.It sounds like it makes sense , but sounding like making sense and making sense I know are two different things. I ask this because I have never seen anybody else with the same type of mount.I know that the rock exotica roller and plate is the new norm now but I do not ropewalk much as I prefer to frog (except for big stuff) and my rig has not seen tons of use and seems fine.I did have to switch from the bushing to ball bearing because of my thick chest.I know this is a loaded question but do any of you scientific types have any thoughts on this type of mount?

[Tim White]

How much "play in the roller?
Is the plate a custom rig or off the shelf?
The BMS plate(s) that On Rope 1 (and other) sold/sells has a mm or so of play.

[Scott McCrea]

The slots can also be used for webbing, as shown in On Rope, illustration 6-36. Basically, it is a chest harness without a plate, just the roller. This would allow some play and turning of the roller. Like you said, in theory it shouldn't make a big difference. But, in practice it could be different.

[Cody JW]

How much "play in the roller?
Is the plate a custom rig or off the shelf?
The BMS plate(s) that On Rope 1 (and other) sold/sells has a mm or so of play.

You can turn it about a quarter of an inch to the right or left, the plate is a custom plate(I think).I have used it at The Bridge and Golandrinas and had no problems, just wondering if it could be more efficient by stabilizing it.