Tools and Trades

Before the days of motors, hydraulic lifts, and heavy machinery, homesteaders, mariners and workers improvised simple mechanical advantage systems to make hard work easy. Beginning with an introduction of ropes and knots, we will look at a variety of pulley systems, principles of leverage and friction-reduction, anchoring systems, simple vector mechanics to understand directional forces, and personal safety issues. We will have hands-on training in knot-tying.

Syllabus:

Rope types (natural, synthetic, steel) and qualities                                   Knot terminology, typology and qualities                                        Knots, hitches and bends-Hands-on Praxis                                     Hardware                                                                                  Mechanical Advantage                                                                         Anchor Systems                                                                                      Hoists, Cranes & High Directionals                                                     Jacking & Cribbing