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OUTDOOR|LASHINGS

INTRODUCTION TO LASHINGS

Ropes used in Campcraft

Types of ropes used in campcraft are twine, nylon and manila hemp. Twines are most commonly used during tent pitching. Twine comes in different thickness. A standard number is given to a string of twine with a particular thickness. Twine of thickness number 3 is more commonly used during tent pitching. Different parts of a tent require a different length of twines. To secure the four corners of the inner and outer sheets, 8 twines of 1.5 metres each are needed. To secure the two ends of the tent, 2 twines of 2 metres each are needed. 

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During the erecting of the flagpole, nylon and manila hemp are used. Unlike twines, both nylon and manila hemp's thickness is measured by their circumference. The thickness of manila hemp used for campcraft is 0.5 inches. The length of each manila hemp needed to secure down the flagpole to the ground is 5 metres. Two other manila hemps of the same thickness are needed to secure the two spars together by means of round lashing. The length of each of these manila hemps is 3 metres. The flag line of the flagpole, made of nylon, is 10 metres long while the one needed for the hangman's noose is 1.5 metres in length.

COMMON TERMS

Purpose of Common Terms

To minimise confusion when teaching.

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Common Terms

  1. Complete round is formed when the start and the end of the round coincide at the same point.

  2. A turn is used to transit between different phases of tying the lashing.

    • Transition from rounds to fraps.​

    • Transition from primary rounds to secondary rounds.

  3. Fraps is used to bind the rounds together to increase the security of the lashing.​

BASICS OF LASHINGS

It is a set of 5 practices to implement while tying a lashing to ensure that it is as secure as possible.

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5 Basics of Lashings: TONGS

  1. Tighten all rounds as you go.​

  2. Ensure there are no unnecessary overlaps in rounds and fraps.

  3. Keep lashing neat by tucking in the ends of the hitches.

  4. Ensure minimal gaps in the lashings.

  5. Ensure sufficient rounds and fraps are made.

LASHINGS

A video after this section will show a practical demonstration.

Round Lashing

​Specific Function: 

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Practical Application:

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How-to-Tie:

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How-to-Check:

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To join two even poles (equal surface and diameter) together.

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To join 2 spars together in flagstaff.

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  1. Start with a clove hitch on both poles.

  2. Form sufficient complete rounds around both poles.

  3. Finish with a clove hitch on both poles.

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  • Clove hitch is tied over both poles.

  • Crosses of clove hitches are diagonally opposite each other.

Shear Lashing

​Specific Function: 

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Practical Application:

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How-to-Tie:

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How-to-Check:

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To join two uneven poles (unequal surface and diameter) together.

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To form shear legs.

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  1. Start with a clove hitch on one pole.

  2. Form sufficient complete rounds around both poles.

  3. Transit to frapping.

  4. Form sufficient fraps in between the poles.

  5. Finish with a clove hitch on the other pole.

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  • Clove hitch is tied over one pole.

  • Starting and ending clove hitches are diagonally opposite each other.

Square Lashing

​Specific Function: 

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Practical Application:

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How-to-Tie:

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How-to-Check:

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To join two poles together at an angle of 90°.

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To form trestle.

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The In-Out Method is recommended.

  1. Start with a clove hitch on one pole.

  2. Form one complete round by going over the non-clove hitch pole and the clove hitch pole. Ensure standing end of clove hitch is pulled tangentially to the hitch itself.

  3. Form sufficient complete rounds.

  4. Form a turn on non-clove hitch pole and transit to form sufficient frapping in between the poles.

  5. End off with a clove hitch on the same pole and beside the starting clove hitch.

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  • Starting and ending clove hitch will be next to each other.

Diagonal Lashing

​Specific Function: 

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Practical Application:

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How-to-Tie:

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How-to-Check:

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To join two poles together at an angle other than 90°.

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To form an A-frame.

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  1. Start with a timber hitch on both poles.

  2. Form sufficient complete primary rounds around both poles after tightening and locking the timber hitch.

    • Tighten: Working end of hitch is pulled perpendicular to the poles.​

    • Lock: Working end of hitch is pulled parallel to the poles.

  3. Form a turn to transit to secondary from primary rounds.

  4. Form sufficient complete secondary rounds around both poles. This should be parallel to the timber hitch.

  5. Form a turn to transit to frapping.

  6. Form sufficient complete fraps in between the poles.

  7. End off with a clove hitch on one pole.

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  • Timber hitch is tied over both poles.

  • Complete rounds and fraps are tied.

Gyn Lashing

​Specific Function: 

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Practical Application:

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How-to-Tie:

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How-to-Check:

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How to open a Tripod:

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To join three or more poles together to form a stand.

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To form a tripod.

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  1. Start with a clove hitch on one of the poles.

  2. Form one complete rounds intertwining between the 3 poles.

  3. Transit to the first round of frapping and form complete fraps towards the second pole.

  4. Form a turn to transit to the second round of frapping.

  5. Form complete fraps between the second and third pole by frapping towards the third pole.

  6. End off with clove hitch on the third/last pole.

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  • Starting and ending clove hitch are diagonally opposite each other.

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Tripod is recommended to be opened such that Pole A rests on B, B rests on C and C rests on A. The base will form an equilateral triangle.

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