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Hi There! In this instructable, I will teach you how to make a zip line out of recycled materials. What is a zip-line? it's basically a rope between two trees with a seat that travels between them.
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES OR DAMAGES OCCURRED DURING THIS PROJECT. That means try to be safe on the ladder, and try to be safe riding on the trolley.
OK let's get started!
MATERIALS:
Two trees
Rope long enough to stretch the length between the two trees you chosen
A plank for a seat (or an old swing set seat)
More rope for making a seat
A pulley
Ladder
Winch or truck to pull the rope tight.
Nails
All of the materials I use in this project are reused/recycled, except the winch. It is recommended that you use recycled materials, too, but you don't have to.
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES OR DAMAGES OCCURRED DURING THIS PROJECT. That means try to be safe on the ladder, and try to be safe riding on the trolley.
OK let's get started!
MATERIALS:
Two trees
Rope long enough to stretch the length between the two trees you chosen
A plank for a seat (or an old swing set seat)
More rope for making a seat
A pulley
Ladder
Winch or truck to pull the rope tight.
Nails
All of the materials I use in this project are reused/recycled, except the winch. It is recommended that you use recycled materials, too, but you don't have to.
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Signing UpStep 1Findin' some trees.
"This should be easy. Findin' trees isn't that hard, is it?" Well, it depends. if you have a big piece of property out in the country, it should be easy. But if you live in the city, your outta luck. An ideal spot for the trolley is between two trees that have nothing in between them. if anything is in the way, your trolley will run into it. Try to avoid that. Also, you will want lots of space between the trees. If they are too short, it will be a boring ride.
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Get a responsible adult to help you
Use a rope of a known origin that you know the breaking strength of, and make sure it is adequate
Use a pulley that has a closed eye- not an open hook, so that the seat can’t come off the hook. Make sure that the pulley is well rated for your weight- do not use ones without a weight rating or intended for things like clotheslines (try climbing shops or yacht chandlers)
Learn suitable knots before you start
When making the seat- make sure the support rope is very well secured to the plank- ideally feed through drilled holes
Secure the access ladder to the tree so you have a safe access to the seat
Think carefully about how you’ll stop- there are ways to add braking, and you don’t want to slam into a tree at the bottom end!
To be kind to the trees- you will probably want to pad out under the rope. This will avoid damaging the bark- the living part of the tree is just below the surface. Slacken off the rope when not using it for a time.
There is some very good information in the UK Scout Factsheet on how to do this safely;
http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs120006.pdf
Oh, and... ...going down backwards is a bad idea.... ouch