Building new standards...keyhole track vs. traditional jump cups

[McVillesMom]

As the title says, we are building new schooling standards for use at the barn where I board. Most of what we currently have is pretty much toast, so we will be replacing all but a few (which have holes and traditional cups). There is a grass area with more jumps that are in fair to good condition, which mostly just need painted. They all have traditional holes and jump cups.

I am debating keyhole tracks vs traditional cups (we use the one handed jump cups, so no pins to lose). I like the idea of more adjustability but wondering if it would be better to stick to the same type we already have. The keyhole tracks are significantly more expensive, but cost is not really a factor. Are there more advantages to the keyhole vs old style cups? (I know you can get breakaway cups for them, so I guess that’s another advantage, although that’s probably not something we will be using much if at all.)

For context, this is a 35ish horse boarding stable with a variety of disciplines. At this point there are only a handful of us who jump - combination of eventers and jumpers, up to 1.10/prelim height at most.

[MHM]

@McVillesMom

(we use the one handed jump cups, so no pins to lose)

The what, now?

[Christa_P]

I have only seen them in catalogs, but I’m thinking they mean these:

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/tough1-single-handed-jump-cup/E033780/

[McVillesMom]

Yes, those! This place has the best price I’ve found:

Equitare Single Handed Jump Cup - Carri-Lite Corrals

[MHM]

Interesting, thanks.

[sherian]

unless you have a big drill press it’s likely easier to screw on the tracks than drill straight holes for the pins?

[McVillesMom]

We do have a drill press

[mmeqcenter]

As someone who has built about 300 pairs of standards with traditional holes, any jumps I ever build again will be keyhole tracks. Drilling all those holes is the worst.

As far as actual use jumping, it’s really just personal preference. I guess I’d say the keyhole can be a little tricky to get cups, sometimes the cut outs don’t quite fit across different brands. And I definitely would do metal tracks over plastic, the plastic breaks pretty easily after a couple summers in the sun.

[OverandOnward]

I move/reset jump poles, frequently throughout the week. The standards at this place are all keyhole. Have a past lifetime of traditional pin cups (one-handed and other types of pins).

I will take the keyhole cups over the pin cups, by miles. The keyholes are so much quicker and easier than the pins.

Just imo.

[LCDR]

Once you have used keyhole track cups, you’ll never go back. I have been building jumps for forty years now, and started with the pin type, dealing with drilling correct holes (you need a decent drill press for this, not just your eyeballs), and then having the wood eventually warp sligHtly and not being able to insert pins cleanly.

I buy my keyhole tracks from a seller on ebay who is fairly priced and reliable after some bad experiences with a “company” in Florida which turned out to be just a person in an apartment with an F Better Business Bureau rating. So do your homework before ordering tracks. Screwed on tracks do add cost and weight, but are worth it for their speed of installation and ease of use.

In fact, I’d call keyhole tracks the new traditional, as they have been around so long.

BTW, make sure the screws you pick to secure the tracks sit perfectly flush with, or slightly below the face of the track. Pick screws that are a bit proud and you’ll be cursing the cups every time you go to move them.

[CatchMeIfUCan]

As a frequent jump setter, keyhole all the way. Prefer the metal ones to plastic. I labeled mine at different heights so easy to keep them even

[OverandOnward]

@LCDR

and then having the wood eventually warp sligHtly and not being able to insert pins cleanly.

I didn’t bring this up in my post, but this alone – the degradation of the pin hole – is enough to abandon pin cups forever, as far as I’m concerned. I learned: Always carry a hammer when fiddling with pin cup standards, especially older ones.

IME setting pin cups can absorb a surprising amount of time compared with keyholes. For the most part, the keyhole cups are so fast, I can count on getting it done on both standards while the rider is rounding the turn to the approach.

In addition to the other problems, if you live in a wet humid climate as I do, it seems that the wood can expand at times, making the pin hole hard to use even if the standard isn’t especially old.

Keyholes can deteriorate if they are plastic, or metal and something bends them. But often it seems fixable with a replacement set of keyholes.

Whereas deterioration of pin cup standards can mean that they end up joining the sad little herd of unusuable standards that mopes forlornly with the mess of broken poles, on the edges of every set of jump course equipment.

[McVillesMom]

How big are you guys drilling your holes?? We do 5/8" and use a drill press so they are always straight and centered, and I have never had this issue. (with older standards built by someone else, yes.) I can adjust a fence pretty fast with the one handed cups. I guess some of it is personal preference.

[Ajierene]

Some of the standards at the place where I jump are hollow plastic and they have the old style cups with pins. Getting those pins through is SO ANNOYING!

They have keyhole also that’s just so easy when I’m holding my horse and adjusting jumps.

I never used the one hand cups (thanks @MHM for asking the question so I don’t feel ridiculous).

[endlessclimb]

You’re a handy person - would you ever consider countersinking a slot so that the track sits flush? That’s something that just popped into my head right now, I bet it would look great and would reduce the weight of the standard a little.

[LCDR]

I’ve never thought of that. But when I buy a really nice table saw with a good-sized outfeed table I’ll give it a try with my dado blade. Interesting idea.

[endlessclimb]

Dado blade. That’s the tool name I was looking for. Or a really nice router with a fence?

Table saws intimidate me, despite having used them a bunch of times. I know several people who have gotten hurt from kickback, so I stand waaayyyyy off to the side.

[LCDR]

I now own a track saw. The table saw is rolled into a corner out of the way. I’ll never be cutting plywood panels with a table saw ever again. The track saw is a game changer for me.

[endlessclimb]

I’ve never used one, but envy them when I see them. That and the big compound miter saws. Mmmm. Someday!

[add_leg]

Man that would be cool, I’m shocked nobody is doing it with the aluminum standards. But I guess cost of additional manufacturing vs basic rectangular pieces?