Rope Jack

Jack Single

Below is a link to a short 'rough-cut' vid of an different MA technique for pretensioning 1/2" rigging rope (braid or 3 strand). It can attach mid-line and can run virtually any length of rope. Certainly not a new idea but one I've been contemplating for some time and finally put a few spare components together to test the concept ... seems to work well. The MA is approx. 5:1 -- no pulleys, no extra rope, min. weight, min. friction, quick, easy on-off, works well 'topside', too.

Rope Jack

I'm using' the "Rope Jack" just for light work! It ain't gonna replace my Maasdam - fo sho. The "Rope Jack" is to remove slack & stretch for lowering and to lift the tips on light limbs without having to break out the big guns.

It is NOT for heavy loads. Cams, even 'untoothed' like a Rescucender and Gibbs, have been shown to shred a rope with high loading. There are much better tools for the heavy work.

The short handle gives a leverage of roughly 5:1 ... I figure the max. I can apply with one hand will be a safe limit for the ascender and to keep from shredding the rope.

One important note about that handle: The handle in the vid is a section of a good quality hickory axe handle ... worked OK. First attempt was with a 1X2 pine board ... it BROKE - I went a**-over-teacup ... sorry no vid of that.

I ain't selling nothin' ... if you want one ... make one ... it's easy ...


Just messin' 'round on a Sunday afternoon ... Anyway, kinda like the name ... can't imagine why

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- Jack

Brian Humble

How much did that tool cost you?

Jack Single

Well ... actually, it didn't cost me anything except a little time. As mentioned in the OP, it's made with a few spare parts I had around: a pair of CMI ascenders, a section of an axe handle, a couple of mower wheel axles, and a 'biner.

I just wanted to see if it would work ... now I use it all the time ... even works great top-side for lifting small limbs and such because it's so light & compact in crowded canopies.

I suppose if you really wanted a cost, I'm guessing you could buy all new components for around $130US. However, you could get those CMI's, used for real cheap.

Like I said: "if you want one ... make one ... it's easy ..."

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- Jack