I'll building a set for Cyrano (balcony, tree, everything) for under $800 (paint has its own budget). I have little stock lumber, but can be creative and make it work. What I need a solution for is this: A roughly 170 lb guy (playing Cyrano) needs to hang and swing from a branch on a tree. The branch then needs to snap and he falls with it. What do I do? And how do I do it cheaply?
My current thinking is this: Rig the branch (with a minimal grid but that's alright). Rig 2 lines with 1/8" black aircraft cable. I'd prefer to nicopress it (but I'm wondering if crosby's would be safe to hold the weight of a person since it's cheaper). Run the lines to grid with each going through 2 sheaves (so I'd have to buy 4, which can be pricy). Run the lines down to a cleat either attached to a wall or the ground. I know I can buy a cheap cleat at a hardware store, but I worry it's not safe enough even if I lag it. I just don't have the time or money to weld a pin rail. Additionally, I would add something (don't know what yet, just something repable) to also physically attach the branch to the tree.
Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
My current thinking is this: Rig the branch (with a minimal grid but that's alright). Rig 2 lines with 1/8" black aircraft cable. I'd prefer to nicopress it (but I'm wondering if crosby's would be safe to hold the weight of a person since it's cheaper). Run the lines to grid with each going through 2 sheaves (so I'd have to buy 4, which can be pricy). Run the lines down to a cleat either attached to a wall or the ground. I know I can buy a cheap cleat at a hardware store, but I worry it's not safe enough even if I lag it. I just don't have the time or money to weld a pin rail. Additionally, I would add something (don't know what yet, just something repable) to also physically attach the branch to the tree.
Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.