My apprentice asked why we still use hemp rope for some governor tensioners and the old foreman had a story about a 1972 Otis in Philly.

He explained that in a total power loss, the natural fibers give a more predictable stretch and grab than some modern synthetics, which has saved his bacon more than once when a backup generator was slow to kick in.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_parker27d ago

Old school tricks still have their place, huh.

lily39427d ago

Disagree completely. Old school tricks are mostly just nostalgia for worse ways of doing things. They slow everything down and make simple tasks harder. Why waste time with a method that has been clearly improved upon? New tools exist for a reason, they're better. What old trick are you even talking about that hasn't been replaced by something easier?

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park.iris16d ago

Actually saw someone fix a wobbly table with a folded napkin the other day. Sometimes the old fix is just right there when you need it.