Can we talk about old school rigging versus the new way?

Back on a job in Toledo about 8 years ago, an old hand saw me setting up a 3-ton hoist and said, 'Kid, you're gonna snap that choker if you keep choking up that tight.' He showed me the right amount of slack to leave in the sling, which I'd never been taught. I've done it his way ever since, and it just feels safer. How many of you had a piece of advice like that totally change your approach?

4 comments

4 Comments

brooke7678d ago

Man, you're right about the bite, but that slack isn't just for the sling's sake. Think about a heavy steel beam with mill scale. A super tight choker on a sharp corner under full load can actually pinch and weaken the fibers way faster. That little bit of give lets the sling settle and spread the pressure. It's like the difference between a wire saw and a steady grind. Seen a few slings fail from being choked too aggressively on a perfect 90 edge.

veraj538d ago

Exactly! It's like learning to tie your shoes tight enough to stay on, but not so tight they cut off the blood. That old-timer's tip wasn't just about rigging, it was about finding the sweet spot between control and damage. You see that same balance in so many things, don't you?

the_simon8d ago

Interesting. I've always found a tight choker bites into the load better, less chance of it slipping. That slack method would make me nervous on a sharp edge.

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emery1998d ago

Honestly, I split the difference on sharp edges. Keep it snug but not choking tight, so the webbing can flatten out a bit. Lets it grip without getting cut as easy. Done it for years and never had a load shift or a sling get sliced.