Page 22 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

CHAPTER 1

A Rigging Primer

Welcome. This apprenticeship begins with a few of the basic artifacts, principles,

and procedures that define and make possible the art of rigging. They’re simple,
but using them to good effect requires thought and care.

ROPE
Rope is elegant, ubiquitous, ancient. A creature of of the rope used, how it is made, how it looks when
tension, it exists to be stretched between opposing new and worn, how it is handled by the people who
forces. It is a highly evolved tool which, in its myriad make a living with it.
sizes, materials, and constructions, can meet every Before continuing with this chapter, go to
sort of rigging need. Limitations are likely to be a chandlery and get a roll of nylon twine (36-48
on the part of the user; it is for us to develop skill thread), 50 feet of ⁄8 -inch-diameter, double-braid
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appropriate to the tool. Dacron rope, and 50 feet of ⁄8 -inch, three-strand
Start simply by observing rope at work. In ship- spun Dacron rope. Each strand of the latter is made
yards, farmyards, and construction sites it transmits up of short polyester fibers that have been spun
power and performs its many jobs. Look at the size together into yarns, much as wool or cotton is. The

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