Jeremiah,
Of all the jobs that need being done on a fly
system, replacing a
purchase line is probably the least dangerous, least critical item there. This is one of the few things I feel I can give instructions over the net and not be out of
line. Here is a step by step mini instruction.
1. Remove as much weight from the
batten as
practical.
Curtains,
Track, raceways
etc. can be left on.
Strike as much lighting as possible and all scenery.
2. Balance the
lineset and move the
arbor to an easy working position from either the locking
rail (preferred) or a loading
gallery.
3. If the
arbor is at low
trim and sitting on the lower bump
rail, put an extra 100lbs of weight on.
4. Now secure the
arbor, use a 5/16" minimum,
proof coil chain and forged shackles to chain the
arbor to the locking
rail or
loading rail in such a way that it cannot move up or down.
5. Set up the spool of new rope on a pipe held up by stands or saw horses so that the spool can reel off the rope smoothly. DO NOT set the spool on end and feed the rope over the end of the spool.
6. Remove the rope from the top of the
arbor, cut off the old knot and all tape residue
etc. If you already know how to make a long splice in three
strand rope, splice the end of the new rope to the cut end of the old rope.
Mini splice lesson. take the three strands of the rope,
e-tape the end of each. unwind one
strand about 24" and cut off. Unwind second
strand about 12" and cut off. Do the same with the end of the new rope. Now take the two long strands left and wind them into the grooves left by the strands cut from the other rope. The two pieces cut at 12" should just meet in the middle.
Trim the strands as needed to make sure they just meet and do not overlap. A little
e-tape at the three spots where the strands end. This does not have to be a great splice, just has to hold the weight of the rope and a little pull. End result should be a splice that is the same diameter of the rope everywhere, with no loose ends, strands or
e-tape hanging off.
7. gently pull the old rope from the bottom of the
arbor until the new rope arrives.
8. Cut the new rope with about 36" for
knot tying at both ends. (this can be reduced after you tie the first couple and find out just how much rope your
knot tying takes up.)
9. Tie to the top of the
arbor. I prefer a
Bowline at the top but a double half-hitch back to back is also acceptable if snugged tightly.
10. Pull the rope through the bottom eye (or attachment
bolt) of the
arbor. make sure the
tension block is at the top of it's travel. Have someone
pull down on the back
line as hard as they can, while the second person pulls up hard on the
line through the
arbor and starts the knot. I strongly prefer a double half-hitch back to back for the lower knot.
11. pull the knots tight, snug them down.
Trim the
tails to about 4" past the knot (
e-tape the rope to about an inch on each side of the
mark, then cut in the middle of the tape.). Now finish by e-taping the tail to the standing part of the rope.
12. Repeat 1-11 as needed.