Tightrope
by R. Larson
Project Description
This is a 20-ft long 'portable' tightrope for my kids to practice becoming future acrobats. It's pretty heavy, but with help I can move it around the yard. The turnbuckle adjusts the tension in the rope, the pulley system keeps the beam only in compression, no bending. The unit can be broken down into 4 pieces, the two end structures, the center beam, and the cable assembly.
Build Description
20' 4" square steel tube, Flat stock for beam brackets. C-channel and rectangular tube for end supports. Wire rope and rope hardware. Turnbuckle. Leveling feet. The material was all cut to length with a horizontal band saw. The end support were constructed from C-Channel and tube, to create a framework for the pullies. The large holes for the pulley shafts were made with a plasma cutter, with sleeves welded into place as the guides. The beam support bracket holes were made in a drill press. The middle steps were shaped with a plasma cutter to fit in the c-channel and welded in place. A fun part of this project was going to the wire rope supplier, who is normally supplying wire rope for huge cranes.
Materials and Tools
MIG Welder (Miller Vintage)Plasma Cutter (Miller)Horizontal Band Saw, Drill pres
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Add Your Comment
Yeah great project... But I would have made all the bits out of round and padded the rest - slip and fall = minus kneecap or smashed in head.
JeeeHoover • Thursday, June 16, 2011 @ 11:40 AMExcellent design. I would however, pad the entire metal framework to include the turnbuckle. I speak from experience. Slipping off of the wire/rope into the apparatus can and will cause significant injury. Thanks for the post/design. Le Orb
Orbmanelson • Sunday, May 22, 2011 @ 6:03 PMCould you please send me the blue prints for that awesome project!
Martin Moslener • Tuesday, March 22, 2011 @ 9:56 PM^^what he said^^ those stray splinters hurt in your hands you wont want them in your feet i would use plasma style winch rope like we use on our 4x4 winch
fixit • Monday, February 22, 2010 @ 12:21 PMI'd pad the ends of the horizontal tubing to minimize a possible nasty injury in the event of a fall.
Ray • Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 6:42 PMLooks like a great project. I have one suggestion for you. If you keep it for a while for your kids you might want to switch out to a nylon synthetic rope. It will still be very tight and not stretch much but wont rust and burr like the cable will.
JM • Wednesday, December 2, 2009 @ 12:09 AM