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Lashing
Lashing
Lashing
Skill Year Version Approval authority
Level
1 2018 11.02.2024 North American Division
A lashing is an arrangement of rope wire or webbing with linking device used to secure and fasten two or
more items together in a somewhat rigid manner. Lashings are most commonly applied to timber poles,
and are commonly associated with cargo, containerisation, the Scouting movement, and sailing.
2 How can lashing be used in a camping or outdoors setting? Give three examples.
Lashing can be used to build useful items in a camp setting. If in an area where gathering timber is allowed,
the camper with proper skills can build the needed items rather than pack them in.
Furniture
Table, chair, and even beds.
Shelter
Lean-to, super shelter, tree cot, baker's tent (frame), etc.
Tools & Utensils
ladder, tripod for cooking, coat hangers, etc.
The imperfections inherent in natural materials allows for greater amounts of friction to develop
between the work pieces (spars and ropes). In contrast dimensional lumber pieces will require higher
amounts of tension in wraps to achieve similar holding power.
4a Timber hitch
Timber hitch
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Use: The timber hitch is a knot used to attach a single length of rope
to a piece of wood. This knot is easily undone after use.
How to tie:
1. To make the knot, pass the rope completely around the wood.
2. Pass the running end around the standing part, then through the
loop that you have just formed.
3. Make three turns around the loop then pull on the standing part to
tighten.
4. Take care that you double the rope back on itself before making the
three turns, or it won't hold.
5. Three are recommended for natural rope such as jute, whereas five
turns are needed on synthetic rope like nylon.
This knot is also known as the Bowyer's Knot as it is used to attach the
lower end of the bowstring to the bottom limb on an English Longbow.
4b Clove hitch
Clove hitch
Use: This knot is the "general utility" hitch for when you need a quick,
simple method of fastening a rope around a post, spar or stake (like
tying wicks to sticks in Candle Making) or another rope (as in Macramé)
How to tie:
1. Make a turn with the rope around the object and over itself.
2. Take a second turn with the rope around the object.
3. Pull the end up under the second turn so it is between the rope and the object. Tighten by
pulling on both ends.
4c Square knot
Square Knot
Use: Also known as a Reef knot, the Square Knot is easily learned and useful
for many situations. It is most commonly used to tie two lines together at the
ends. This knot is used at sea in reefing and furling sails. It is used in first aid
to tie off a bandage or a sling because the knot lies flat.
How to tie:
WARNING: Do not rely on this knot to hold weight in a life or death situation. It has been known to
fail.
5 What beginning and ending knots are used in the following five types of lashing:
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5a Square
Start with a timber hitch (can substitute clove hitch for smaller work pieces) and end with two half
hitches backed by a clove hitch.
5b Shear
5c Tripod
5d Diagonal
5e Continuous
6 Explain how to calculate the length and thickness of ropes needed for a project.
Demonstrate how to preserve the ends of a cut rope.
To estimate the length of rope you will need, add the diameters of all the spars in the joint and multiply that
sum by 36. The length of rope needed will be in the same units as the diameter (meaning if the diameter
was in inches, the length will also be in inches).
If the combined diameter of the spars is less than 6", you can use 1/4" diameter manila rope. If the
combined diameter of the spares is greater than 6", use 3/8" instead. You can use half that diameter if using
nylon or polypropylene rope.
Wrap
A wrap is a turn made around the two spars to hold the spars tightly together. Usually, three wraps are
made to form a Square Lashing. Some other lashings require more wraps.
Frap
A frap is a turn made between the spars. It goes around the wraps to pull the wraps tighter. Usually two
frapping turns are made on a lashing.
8a Square
Square lashing is a type of lashing knot used to bind poles together. Large structures can
be built with a combination of square and diagonal lashing, with square lashing generally
used on load bearing members and diagonal lashing usually applied to cross bracing. If
any gap exists between the poles then diagonal lashing should be used.
1. Begin with a timber hitch on the vertical pole beneath the horizontal pole and tuck
the loose end under the wrapping.
2. Wrap in a square fashion about three times around the poles.
3. Frap between the poles two or three times, pulling often to work the joint as tight as
possible.
4. Tie two half hitches around the horizontal pole
5. Cinch the half hitches into a clove hitch, an additional clove hitch may be added if Square
desired. Lashing
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When the turns are taken around the vertical pole they should be inside the previous turns. The ones
around the cross pole should be on the outside of the previous turns. This makes sure that the turns
remain parallel and hence the maximum contact between the rope and wood is maintained.
Strength is improved if care is taken to lay the rope wraps and fraps in parallel with a minimum of
crossing.
An alternative method is known as the Japanese square lashing. The Japanese square lashing is
similar to the standard square lashing in appearance, but in fact is much faster and easier to use. One
drawback to consider is that it is difficult to estimate how much rope is needed, which can lead to
needlessly long working ends.
1. Begin by placing the middle of the rope under the bottom pole
2. Lay both ends over the top pole, and cross under the bottom pole. Do this about three times. Take
care to keep the wrappings as tight as possible.
3. After the last wrap, cross the ropes again over the bottom pole and frap around the wrappings.
Do this enough times (at least 3) to finish with a square knot.
A properly executed lashing is very strong and will last as long as the twine or rope maintains its
integrity. A lashing stick can be used to safely tighten the joint.
8b Shear
8c Tripod
8d Diagonal
Diagonal lashing is a type of lashing used to bind spars or poles together, to prevent
racking. It is usually applied to cross-bracing where the poles do not initially touch, but
may by used on any poles that cross each other at a 45° to 90° angle. Large,
semipermanent structures may be built with a combination of square lashing, which is
stronger, and diagonal lashing.
Bailing twine has sufficient strength for some lashing applications but rope should be
used for joining larger poles and where supporting people sized weights.
1. Begin with a timber hitch around the juncture of the two poles.
2. Make three turns in each direction - tightening steadily as you go.
3. Make two frapping turns, tightening the joint as much a possible.
Diagonal
4. To end, make two half hitches
Lashing
5. Cinch the half hitches into a clove hitch
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A lashing stick can be used to safely tighten the joint. Strength will be improved if the first turn is 90°
to the timber hitch and if care is taken to lay the rope turns parallel with no crossings.
8e Continuous
9 Discuss what types of weight loading each diameter of rope can handle depending on the
nature of the material.
Natural Ropes
Manila
Made from the leaves of the Musa textillis tree in the Philippine Islands.
Sisal
Made from the leaves of the Agave sisalaua plant that is native to central America. Sisal and Manila are
the strongest natural material ropes with a 10% stretch factor.
Hemp
Made from an annual herbaceous plant native to west and central Asia. Hemp is 2/3 as strong as Manila
and Sisal rope.
Cotton
Made from the white, downy, fibrous substance that covers the seeds of the cotton plant.
Coir
Made from coconut husks.
Synthetic Ropes
Synthetic ropes are all man-made from different types of plastics. They have unique names that reflect their
different properties. The strength of the synthetic rope is at least twice that of Manila or Sisal rope. The
main types of synthetic ropes are:
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These have a high level of strength, do not float and are affected by wet conditions.
They have good stretch and moderate heat resistance. Nylon 6 is used in rock climbing and nylon 66 is used
in abseiling. Nylon is resistant to abrasions, bacteria and most organic solvents. It is sensitive to strong
acids, alkalinity and long exposure to sunlight.
Rope should be Coiled up and hung up in a dry place, or put in a box or bucket. The box or bucket should
have holes to let the rope breathe. This will help against rot and odors.
The wood should be bundled up and racked off the ground in a dry place, like on a wall or hung from the
ceiling. If outside, the wood should be wrapped in a tarp or oiled canvas to keep out water.
References
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