the Wedgie -- a tool for block retrieval

[oldfart]

The “Wedgie” is a retrieval tool that will recover an arb block without sending the block over a branch or through a crotch. It’s easy to build and could be useful when you set a block in a crotch and want to recover it remotely. Think of it as a one-way retrieval ball that can reach up and pull your block straight back to you.

Here’s a new video showing construction details:
Arborist Wedgie

Here’s the original video showing the Wedgie in action with a rigging whoopie using the new X-Rings:
X/CMI Heavy Duty Rigging Whoopie



Finally, here are two playlists gathering up several videos about double ended or “basket” rigging systems built around a whoopie sling:

LIGHT RIGGING: ½” rigging line with the Omni-Block

HEAVY RIGGING: 3/4" bull rope with X Rigging Ring




OF

 

[customcuts]

Love the omni block whoopie Tom. Awesome innovation you re constantly changing the game for the better and we all appreciate your input. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bonner1040]

You take it to a whole different level Tom!

 

[oldfart]

Oops, sorry guys. I'm getting erratic results from the links behind the original post, particularly the playlist for the HD Rigging Whoopie. Seems to be different from mobile vs. desktop.

If you're having any trouble, try going through this channel index ...

Channel Index

This menu of available videos/playlists will stay complete and current, even as this particular post gets old and moldy. PM me if there's still trouble. Thanks.



OF

 

[oldfart]

I took the Wedgie down to ShelterTree for side-by-side testing with the most popular arb blocks. I re-learned an eternal truth …

Size Matters.
Manufacturer, materials and geometry don’t.


The Wedgie works fine on my block, the CMI RP145. Would it work on other blocks? I set them up, with topping strops, pulled the Wedgie through and here’s what I know:
1) All ¾” blocks work with the construction dimensions as shown in the prior video.
2) Some 5/8” blocks work IF they are sized to handle a ¾” topping strop, like the ISC 5/8” aluminum. But not the ISC 5/8” Flame, for example.
3) No ½” block will work.

I have no doubt that the Wedgie could be re-sized successfully for 5/8” blocks, but a ½” version doesn’t look realistic … arborist weights are too big. Maybe something else, but not a throwbag.

Here’s the vid:


Wedgie with Eight (8) popular arborist blocks

Thanks for the help to George Mellick.

OF


By the way, catalogs and websites don’t give you a chance to see all these blocks in one single picture. This video lets you “size them up” against each other in the same frame of reference.

 

[itterada]

Very cool. I love when simple solutions work flawlessly towards complex problems.

 

[NickfromWI]

How the HECK did you figure that out? That is pretty stinking clever.

 

[bonner1040]

Tom is one of the most clever people here!

 

[oldfart]

Bonner, TCITM.

Not so clever, guys. I spent days screwing around with the old ring/RING idea, trying to come up with something for Xman's system. Stuff like this, all failures:

I couldn't get anything to work reliably with the dimensions and still stay out of the way of rigging ops.

When I realized to break the mold and think about the retriever instead, it was easy. That's what I'm saying is so liberating for FS design choices. As a piece of hardware, the "Wedgie" idea could take a million forms, but the idea is to have it change size and only operate on one of the two "rings".

Refardless, thanks for the nice words.

Tom