Transmission Tower Video

[jheidt2543]

I thought the guys that walk the steel on high rise buildings were nuts, but this takes the cake! I'm glad there are people willing to do this, but not even downing a lot of adult beverages would I have the courage(?) to do this!

IF YOU HAVE ANY VERTIGO PROBLEMS ALSO DON'T ATTEMPT TO WATCH THIS STANDING UP!

http://www.liveleak.com/e/07b_1284580365

 

[zdas04]

I didn't think I had vertigo problems, but now I think I'm going to go puke.

Now that the guy is up there what the heck can he accomplish while holding on for dear life?

David

 

[evelrod]

Interesting video. Not sure simple maintenance can be equated to the actual construction of the tower. The only maintenance I've done was to paint a tower when the painters were afraid to go up...Got a BIG bonus for that crappy job, too.

In 1966 I worked with the crew that built the KNX radio towers in Hawthorn, CA. They are not anywhere near as tall at only ~500'. Still, it was one hellofa fun job. I really like working up high...But then, that is why that even with a college education I did this stuff for 38 years! I loved my job...I just got too old to do it any longer.

Rod

 

[Qshake]

I believe this has been posted earlier.

But one thing that gets me is not going up as you can see what your going to use for handholds and footholds by looking up. But what in lands sakes do you look at on the way down? in some cases you've got to put your feet around and under those small platforms looking for a foothold! That's just crazy.

And I agree with David, what can you accomplish while holding on for dear life?!

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[evelrod]

You know my history, Q, so you know I have a little different take on all this. I'm not sure where the old advice of "don't look down" came from. In reality looking down was never a problem. Looking up could get one all screwed up though...at least me.
As to what one can accomplish while holding on for dear life?
Actually, nothing much. Working like that you could not keep a job. In reality, you work with both hands and hold on with your legs and, now-a-days, with a safety harness (not available to me in the "good ole days")!

Rod

 

[Qshake]

You bet Rod, I know what you've accomplished. For this though wouldn't you think a "float" would be helpful - at least something to stand or kneel on. Boy I'd hate to carry the 'float' up there and back though!

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[evelrod]

No floats, Q. I hated those things...I had a welder that made a work seat out of an old Harley frame...welded it to the column where he was working and sat in the saddle (tied off, of course). I got a lot of flak from the safety guy, but I let him use it anyway...it looked cool.

Like I said, only very limited experience with maintenance. In the actual erection of the tower, we rode the ball up, along with all our gear. The painting deal...I had to climb, but I got double time for it...Besides, I was only 26 and it was "no big deal".

Rod

 

[Ron]

I've done the building stuff, but only up to 33 stories. (Doesn't make much difference after about 20 to 25 feet...if you fall) Never done a tower.

That video will pucker you up!

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Here's the Pats Pub version;
thread1088-281485

 

[jheidt2543]

Last year I was in Chicago and watched on a Saturday morning while two guys and a helicopter erected the attenna on top of the Trump Tower. They worked from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The tower was in sections about 15'-20' tall and the helicoper held them in place while one man was on top of the last section bolting the next section in place. They earned their money too.

I didn't realize this was on Pat's Pub, sorry for the duplication - still interesting though.

Just wondering why they don't where a parachute?

 

[IRstuff]

Base jumping is a wholly separate skill set.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[Qshake]

Rod - "...rode the ball up." Good one. That was frowned upon even back when I was in teh field which was well before the harnesses of today.

Hard to believe that back in the day you're lanyard was a 6' length of rope, not some fancy synthetic cord with a metal hook!

times have changed!

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[evelrod]

Q, even in '66 we did not use any safety belt/harness. We carried a set of battery jumper cables to ground "the ball" to prevent burns from RF generated charge...because the older "temporary" transmission "tower" kept KNX on the air. Unlike the story, the real transmission was via this temp, two "telephone" poles with a wire strung between them. We did the short tower and then the 500 footer in July '66. Both still stand today but a car dealership is now on the corner...The same "Cadillac" dealer that the original movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" featured so predominately. These were good times for us.

http://www.insidesocal.com/history/2009/10/

Rod

 

[BigInch]

I think any money involved is a secondary consideration at best.

 

[evelrod]

Philosophical question, BigInch...

Does you do a job simply because of the compensation, because it's a great job, because of no other choice or, because of the thrill of it? Are you really happy with the way life is going? Are you secure in your accomplishments and your abilities?

I'm pretty sure I would have done it for free if I had not actually "needed" the money for my wife and family. A person can only fear something unknown...that leaves 'respect' and there are a bunch of things I simply "respect" too much to try...Did I think of falling? You bet, everyday. Some days more than others. Did I dwell on it? No. That does not mean it wasn't always "there"...Those thoughts are what keeps use from making mistakes. On my job, you only got ONE!

Sure glad I did those things but I'm equally glad I'm retired and no longer think much about it.
Retirement is fabulous!

Rod

 

[JAE]

That is amazing. I did something like that some years ago in downtown San Antonio - on top of the Tower Life building - 32 stories with a 75 ft. trussed tower on top and an 80 ft. pole above that. I only made it to the top of the 75 ft. tower - sat there hooked onto the base of the upper pole and enjoyed a 70 degree sunny day looking down on the riverwalk.



But nothing like that tower climb. I kept thinking about the periods of time where the guy was free climbing - with 1500 ft + air below him and no safety hook. Wow.

 

[unclesyd]

JAE,
There was a program on the Discovery Channel where they demolished the column show in your reference and replaced it with a monopole.