Thread: Aussie Invention - Canberra Wood Show

I checked this out yesterday and was also pretty impressed. Who needs a block & tackle? A pair of these almost fits in your pocket. Another great Aussie invention.

They've been around for years; I picked up a set (both sizes) back in the 2004 melbourne Camping and Fishing show. Was probably the same guy, he was also demonstrated how easy it was to lift an engine.

No fancy box or DVD then, but. Just a pouch for each side and a printed instruction sheet. Mine live permanently in a bag of Emergency Use goodies, along with the tyre bead-breaker and puncture plugs. I keep forgetting that I have them and find more complex ways to do stuff!

Still think they were a good buy; maybe I'll actually USE them one day!

Yup, same guy even back as far as 1998, after a 3 day field day directly across from him we reckoned we could do his sales pitch word for word. Yes can also attest great invention and great performing little doodad

I can remember them from the Canberra Show, musta' been in the mid 90's. Back when BHP was BHP, not BHP Billiton or Onesteel or whatever they are called these days.

I always thought I'd like a set of them, but I learnt how to do a truckie's hitch instead.

It's a very good idea.

I feel bad about saying this, but a double end truckers hitch with reef knot "pulleys" can exert rope snapping force with little effort and is quick to tie.

On wash day, I string a length of paracord (a fantastic break strain) across the backyard. One end to the tree, the other to a concreted post. It's 15 metres long. With two loops and 3 tensioners, it twangs in the centre like a violin. My wife can adjust it with one hand for when the tree begins to lean.

Yes, I put material under the rope on the tree end to stop ring barking. We take it down when all the doonas are done.

It's an excellent idea. He should sell it through BCF. The bogans will love it.

Originally Posted by Evanism

It's a very good idea.
I feel bad about saying this, but a double end truckers hitch with reef knot "pulleys" can exert rope snapping force with little effort and is quick to tie.

I wouldn't feel bad saying this at all, because it is the truth. The big market with something like this is definitely the truckies but what you said is probably why it has been around for donkeys and still really hasn't taken off with that group.

It's an excellent idea. He should sell it through BCF. The bogans will love it.

BCF will probably want at least 50% of the profit and they would probably want to lower the price to better align with the rest of their "stuff" so the numbers made and sold would have to increase significantly meaning it will probably need to be made in china.

What puts me off is the website. Its being sold along side something called "Catch-a-nap" and what looks like a religious based nicknack. I realise he's just trying to make a quid but he really does need some professional marketing advice.

I think I may get one set for tying down timber when I don't have my straps or enough straps.

Truckies hitch.png

Should be mandatory learnin' with every car trailer sold!

(Thanks to the 1st Bullsbrook Air Scout Group for the best diagram of it!)

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

<img src="https://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=283388"/>

Should be mandatory learnin' with every car trailer sold!

(Thanks to the 1st Bullsbrook Air Scout Group for the best diagram of it!)

This is true, and I have never had a problem in all my years doing these various knots however what I liked about this thing is -
the rope kinda rolls on itself and friction is reduced. Less wear on the rope and actually easier to tighten.

(and yes I have seen it many times over the years but never pain attention till this time round)

No I would not use it every time I am tying something down but there are definite times I would. If I get it I'll give you my opinion

In Queensland it is ILLEGAL to use rope to tie down anything being transported.



Cheers,


Frank

Originally Posted by FRB Design

In Queensland it is ILLEGAL to use rope to tie down anything being transported

what? You have to be kidding. Modern ropes have wear characteristics and breaking strains that boggle the imagination.

I look at paracord or climbing rope. People lives depend on it and many modern ropes use identical manufacturing techniques.

Maybe it's illegal as Bun#%*s et al sells rope to consumers that's bad it should be criminal. It's shocking how low consumer grade quality has descended to. (I was there yesterday to look at grinders. The absolute rubbish they had should been investigated by the government. From a trade practices perspective it was not fit for ANY purpose)

Originally Posted by Evanism

what? You have to be kidding. Modern ropes have wear characteristics and breaking strains that boggle the imagination.

I look at paracord or climbing rope. People lives depend on it and many modern ropes use identical manufacturing techniques.

Maybe it's illegal as Bun#%*s et al sells rope to consumers that's bad it should be criminal. It's shocking how low consumer grade quality has descended to. (I was there yesterday to look at grinders. The absolute rubbish they had should been investigated by the government. From a trade practices perspective it was not fit for ANY purpose)

And to boot you have to cover the hole load with a net if multiple pieces, a heap of people have been fined, they sat outside the tip,dump or refuse centre what ever you want to call it and fined heaps of people $450.00 for unsecured load. However the sale of ratchet straps ute nets have skyrocketed.

Originally Posted by FRB Design

And to boot you have to cover the hole load with a net if multiple pieces, a heap of people have been fined, they sat outside the tip,dump or refuse centre what ever you want to call it and fined heaps of people $450.00 for unsecured load. However the sale of ratchet straps ute nets have skyrocketed.

It gets worse... it is now illiegal in QLD to use a cargo net with holes large enough for whatever you're transporting to poke through. If it can be pulled out through the holes in any direction it is unsecured. Those stretchy ones sold by the millions are only good if you through a tarp underneath them and pull them really tight....

....but if you pull them really tight then you're over loading the capacity of the net......

....Hah! What load capacity? basically you can transport empty cardboard boxes with them.

There are a couple of firms making a killing now in the resource industries selling ratchet tie down close weave mesh with load ratings. Everybody in the mining or gas industries drive utes with all sorts of crap in the back and the police pay particular interest to these vehicles.

But what REALLY gets my goat is that the law can change and the Police force isn't obligated to inform the public. I had to undergo a "defensive driving" course last month and our instructor informed us about the latest road rule changes, and he only finds these out because he goes specifically looking for them. He dislikes the police; but even more so when he was informed "It's not the responsibility of the Police to inform the public of changes in the laws."

i have had these for a long time. 2 blue sets, the second set came with a smaller set for 6mm rope which i have never used, and the last set are bronze plated for 12mm rope. i learnt to tie a truck hitch as a kid and haven't forgotten but i prefer the ties on compressable loads like tree branches because you can get a second pull unlike a truck hitch and can do it quicker with more power.

Originally Posted by FRB Design

And to boot you have to cover the hole load with a net if multiple pieces, a heap of people have been fined, they sat outside the tip,dump or refuse centre what ever you want to call it and fined heaps of people $450.00 for unsecured load. However the sale of ratchet straps ute nets have skyrocketed.