Here's one for the Boys Scouts and real Bushmen (or Yachties) amongst you. I want to tie three 19mm dowels together to form a Tripod.

What knot do I use ?

There are a couple different ones you can use. If I was doing it, I'd probably use a masthead knot. This knot was used in the days of sail to attach the yardarms to the mast. It won't slip and it binds well, but is kind of a pain in the butt to tie properly and tighten equally. But it will take dynamite to make it come apart if you do it right.

Another option, which is easier, is to lay the three poles out with 2 on one side and the third one on the other side and in the middle. In other words, 2 poles will face in one direction and the middle one in the other. Make sure the ends over lap each other by at least 8 inches. On one of the outside poles, tie a clove hitch and then go over and under tthe poles at least 7 times and finish it up with a clove hitch on the opposing pole. When you stand it up and seperate the legs, it will tighten up on itself. Clove hitches are one of the handiest knots to know. They hold well and can be tied quickly.

Or, you could just drill holes in all the poles and put a long bolt through them. That works too.

Mac

Thx MAC,

I've been sent these two links:

http://www.ropeworks.biz/reader/tripod.pdf

and

http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor...lls/b-p/lashings.htm

Basicaly covers what you said.

What sort of tripod? My favorite way is just to hold them all together and give them several wraps, then tie the loose ends together with a surgeons knot. However, that is for a tripod that is fixed and does not move. Say you want to make some shooting sticks, then I say do the same thing only with a couple of feet of shock cord. Nice and quick, yet adjustable and also will not loosen up.

quote:

Originally posted by Code4:
Thx MAC,

I've been sent these two links:

http://www.ropeworks.biz/reader/tripod.pdf

and

http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor...lls/b-p/lashings.htm

Basicaly covers what you said.

Yeah, those are really close to the one I talked about with the clove hitch. I didn't want to try and explain frapping wraps and confuse you, but the pictures show what it is. This method won't hold as well as the masthead knot, but is easier to tie and since you probably aren't making something that needs to hold a lot of weight, they'll suffice.

In case you are interested, the following link shows the easiest way to tie a masthead.

http://knots.troop347.com/masthead_knot.htm

Mac

Do a Google search for "tripod lashing" and you will find numerous examples of the Boy Scout method including videos or animations.

I'm and Eagle Scout and damned if I wouldn't use duct tape.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
I'm and Eagle Scout and damned if I wouldn't use duct tape.

You are a BAD Eagle Scout.

"Duck" tape will be sticky, icky, fairly quickly.

Sorry could not resist.

Much better to tie them together.

Make the ends that touch the ground pointed.

They slip less that way.

twas a joke. we used to have knot tying races in my troop and i always won, particularly at lashing, which is what he needs. Describing how to do that in print, however, very difficult.

wouldn't A couple of large rubber bands work or some intertube rubber work.

It's sad when you find out how many people can't even tie two ropes together! Years ago when I was a linemen for Ma Bell, I had to teach some of the guys some basic knots, these were linemen who used ropes every day!

I was fortunate to learn some basic knots, bends a splices in Boy Scouts a summer on a fishing boat and owning a good sized ketch for a few years. It sure is handy knowledge. All the young guys rely on nylon straps with hooks and little ratchet gizmos.

Re the shooting sticks: Most i've seen are hung together with strips of inner tube. The supply of inner tubes in Africa is endless.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
wouldn't A couple of large rubber bands work or some intertube rubber work.

The African-style shooting sticks made here in the States use vacuum cleaner belts. The round diameter belts are the best, but I couldn't find any at all when I was making my own, but I just tried Wal-Mart and Target, before I settled for the flat-style belt. They work ok, but the round ones would grip the sticks better.