ToughButterCup Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I've been up and down our scaffolding often enough to qualify as the Local Yoyo Impersonator. Today I had the blower up there, cleaning off the boards ahead of the rain due later tonight (its easier to clean while dry). Climbing a ladder holding a blower isn't ideal. And while thinking how to do this a little more safely, who should come by but our local scaffolder. "Eeeh lad, 'ah've gorra pulley in't van, ye can tek it if ya wants." So there is sits in all its glory stored on my stillage, a nice shine new pulley, some scaffold clips and two new poles. And some rope with a stainless reinforced eye and a new hook. Suddenly I'm fantasizing about doing all sorts of exotic stuff with my pulley. And then caution kicks in. H+S and pulleys....... And scaffolds. With extreme care, this little beauty's going to make my life a lot easier. Where can I look for advice? I've looked - not hard- but I've looked. Any quick ideas apart from leave it on the stillage and admire it while standing on the ground.....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan52 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 They are pretty common thing on sites. The fancy sites have electric motors doing the work. Make sure you inspect the rope regularly and the clamps on the bars as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 What you want is a book called "Basic Combat Engineering Skills" Part one. Got everything in there from pullies, Tirfor winches/jacks, slinging, levelling, chain saws, crane signals to knots and hitches etc. I've one here but sentimental value. From when I was in Nam (Dagenham )Will ask around and see if I can get you one. Couldn't find it on eBay but found on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Basic-Combat-Engineering-Skills-Part/dp/B000MXLVOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502894013&sr=8-1&keywords=basic+combat+engineering+skills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Harris Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) I used my old SRT ascenders as rope clutches with a pulley. They are fail-safe, capable of handling high loads (IIRC something like 400kg) and being able to be opened on one side makes them easy to fit to a rope. They are not only a useful safety device in this application, but they allow you to take a breather at any time when hauling. If you want to do it on the cheap (but still be safe) then learn how to tie a prusik knot and use that instead. Before I splashed out on ascenders and harness, I used to SRT with home made webbing loops and prusik knots. My first trip out of Lancaster Pot was done like this, much to the amusement of the local guys, who had every bit of flash SRT kit going. Not much call for SRT kit in South Wales, as most of the caves are gently sloping, with very few potholes as such. Here's a link to how to tie a Prusik knot: http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/ and here's a link to a full description of how the knot is used as a rope clutch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prusik Edited August 16, 2017 by JSHarris added links Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 im a little confused? what is the safety concern? you have the pully at the top, pull the rope from the bottom, tie it off, climb the ladder and retrieve whatever it was that you pulled up..... only advice i would give is to tie a weight (old club hammer head) to the hook end so it comes down by itself and dont try to put your foot in a loop and pull yourself up, (your head will hit the floor) p.s it was very kind of your local chap to lend you his shiny new pully 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney12 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 2 minutes ago, Construction Channel said: im a little confused? what is the safety concern? you have the pully at the top, pull the rope from the bottom, tie it off, climb the ladder and retrieve whatever it was that you pulled up..... Thats all very well until you realise that you need to give your gonads a scratch half way up, you're then left with the most impossible conundrum "leave the scratch un-itched or drop your load" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 1 minute ago, Barney12 said: Thats all very well until you realise that you need to give your gonads a scratch half way up, you're then left with the most impossible conundrum "leave the scratch un-itched or drop your load" if your nuts take both hands to scratch i would consider getting that looked into.. but you can tie it off pretty quick, i think we used a "clove hitch" onto a short pole we had sticking out near the ladder, (dont quote me on the knot but im sure thats what we used to call it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I'll just leave this here ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Harris Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I found that, when working on my own, it was always getting awkward stuff up, like ladders. Having the ability to just let go of the rope and have it still held securely, whilst I walked around to move something to stop it snagging was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexphd1 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 we used one of them silverline electric winches for lifting concrete blocks up scaffolding. made life very easy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney12 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Alexphd1 said: we used one of them silverline electric winches for lifting concrete blocks up scaffolding. made life very easy! Yes, I have one. It was an absolute godsend getting the velux windows on the roof. Also for getting the MHRV up. For Silverline it seems surprisingly robust. I'm going to mount mine in the workshop loft above the loft hatch once I'm sure I don't need it on the house anymore. (Not that I'm going to use the designated bat roost for storage. Honest ) Edit: I've used mine with this on the scaffold: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0140WLZJS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Edit 2: Here's the hoist itself: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-264782-Silverstorm-Electric-Capacity/dp/B002QRWHRO/ref=pd_bxgy_60_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SG2YNH8HPPCPRGJSTPJN Edited August 16, 2017 by Barney12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 My mate has one of those "Silverline" type winches. Actually in his HOUSE mounted above the loft hatch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Harris Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 The best thing I have done recently is to fit one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scaffold-Winch-Electric-Workshop-Garage-Gantry-Hoist-Lifting-125-1000KG-/272134167630?var=&hash=item3f5c75dc4e:m:mefkdAf5bNIRBz5lPNMMv1A (the £50 one that lifts 125kg/250kg) above the loft hatch in my workshop. I made up a "lift" platform from 18mm ply, some eye bolts and chain, and it's brilliant for getting stuff up into the loft storage space. This week I was finishing off the loft hatch and ladder fixings, and instead of using the rather cumbersome pole and twist latch for the loft hatch, I just fitted an eye bolt to the hatch, a couple of big tension springs and a shackle fixed to the springs to fit to the hoist hook. Having extended and rewired the hoist controls, so they now run through the ceiling, I can just press a button and the loft hatch and ladder either lowers or raises, with the springs holding the loft hatch closed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 57 minutes ago, PeterW said: I'll just leave this here ... ill just leave this next to it... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 I'm in to that. Just think .... The first time Debbie sees me doing that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiehamy Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 29 minutes ago, JSHarris said: The best thing I have done recently is to fit one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scaffold-Winch-Electric-Workshop-Garage-Gantry-Hoist-Lifting-125-1000KG-/272134167630?var=&hash=item3f5c75dc4e:m:mefkdAf5bNIRBz5lPNMMv1A (the £50 one that lifts 125kg/250kg) above the loft hatch in my workshop. I made up a "lift" platform from 18mm ply, some eye bolts and chain, and it's brilliant for getting stuff up into the loft storage space. This week I was finishing off the loft hatch and ladder fixings, and instead of using the rather cumbersome pole and twist latch for the loft hatch, I just fitted an eye bolt to the hatch, a couple of big tension springs and a shackle fixed to the springs to fit to the hoist hook. Having extended and rewired the hoist controls, so they now run through the ceiling, I can just press a button and the loft hatch and ladder either lowers or raises, with the springs holding the loft hatch closed. I've got that one - used it for lifting windows and a steel beam. Which has reminded to factor it in to what's going in the garage and where - I need a mounting point for it as an engine hoist... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 26 minutes ago, Construction Channel said: ill just leave this next to it... There's a very similar technique described at Upnor Castle (Kent) whereby a "fat bloke" would leap off up high to get gunpowder barrels and stores up. Seems an early H&S audit put a stop to it. Opposite side of the river to Chatham Dockyard. Good to visit and a couple of very decent pubs there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 As I'm often on one man jobs, I have to be quite inventive when the likes of 500ltr cylinders arrive and have to go up vertically. A similar take on @JSHarris rope clutch method is my use of the humble ratchet strap. One around the cylinder, and then 2 more to pull the thing north. When your on your own, it's brain over brawn . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 9 hours ago, Nickfromwales said: When your on your own, it's brain over brawn . Now that's where I struggle on both counts! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 11 minutes ago, PeterStarck said: Now that's where I struggle on both counts! Lucky the missus is there then! Seriously, you must have something to achieve that finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 6 hours ago, Onoff said: Lucky the missus is there then! Seriously, you must have something to achieve that finish. Yes, Wendy's a real help, couldn't have got this far without her. As complete amateurs I guess things aren't too bad but we are into the seventh year of the build now, and you think you're slow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Careful with that pulley... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 On 8/17/2017 at 00:00, Nickfromwales said: [...] When your on your own, it's brain over brawn . Given that I'm deeply into the full-on DIY experience and DIY kwickstage experience to boot, the next practical challenge is to reduce the number of solo trips up and down the staging I have constructed. Which makes On 8/16/2017 at 19:25, Barney12 said: [...] Edit: I've used mine with this on the scaffold: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0140WLZJS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 [...] look interesting. My first thought is 'weather' I'm thinking of being creative with an suitably adapted empty plastic barrel pressed into service as a housing. But I bet someone has solved the problem before..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 It's IP54 isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 (edited) For winches stored outside we would usually make up a heavy duty pvc cover with some brass eyelets and drawstring. Lightweight so if it does fall off/blow away etc. I can see a barrel cut lengthways as a cover might work but a bit cumbersome maybe? So this sort of thing (4x4 winch), you'll struggle to hot weld the edges though. Velcro is often used for quick removal ones. Hole in the top for the hook: A local sailmaker would do it for a few quid. Been using this place for about 30 years now to make various covers: http://sailmakers.co.uk Mike there did a load of work on the Cutty Sark after it caught fire. So to diy you want a bit of pvc tarp, lorry siding etc and some of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/311793667452 You want airflow around the winch especially if it's working hard. In years past we've had to make sure operators leave the covers off in the Summer or the thermal overloads would kick in. I have a Silverline type winch kicking around and some eyelets etc. Could knock you up something very basic but you really want it reinforced around where the hook comes through. Edited March 10, 2018 by Onoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now