Chinese Scaffold Lashing

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Bishop

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Jan 25, 2014
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When it comes to construction for years I have marvelled at the bamboo scaffolding found all over the far east. Quick to erect and undeniably strong and whilst Bamboo is a bit thin on the ground here in the UK at some point we have all had (or will need) to lash Hazel poles together. Yet despite the hours of video footage available on YouTube and websites dedicated to art & intricacies of cordage it's as if there is a conspiracy when it comes to this profession. Seldom do you get a good look at the finished lashing or of it being tied. It could be just my Google-Fu was not strong but finally I found this video.

[video=youtube_share;xyjF4a4Lj38]https://youtu.be/xyjF4a4Lj38[/video]
 

Bishop

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Jan 25, 2014
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It looked like they were using packing straps as a tie

Yes, from what I gather it's a small nod to health & safety as the traditional bamboo strips could be a bit variable in quality.
On the plus side for bushcrafters and survivalists it looks like an ideal technique for use with plastic bottle cordage.
 

Scots_Charles_River

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Dec 12, 2006
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In Scouts, we did these type of Japanese lashings.

japanlash.jpg
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
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Oct 6, 2003
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Bishop,

I changed the title of your thread. I don't know whether you were really searching for Japanese lashings, as per your original title, but what you found there is Chinese (the video title is in Chinese and the guy demonstrating is speaking Chinese, Cantonese I think, and that is the lashing I saw all over scaffold in Hong Kong). Going to the Far East and getting the two races/cultures confused is liable to land you in trouble. :BlueTeamE

Rather than Google-Fu, (ironic:lmao:) you would do better searching for "bamboo scaffolding lash" on Youtube, don't even need to use a race description.

[video=youtube;WzY0cdrHfec]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzY0cdrHfec[/video]

[video=youtube;iMCZpW5fwLY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCZpW5fwLY[/video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqUS4JGbb3I

Packing straps have also tended to replace a lot of the rattan work in Borneo. The locals patiently tried to explain to my friend, who they clearly thought was a bit simple for wanted the traditional rattan, that the packing straps were FAR superior, "...they..don't...rot.." lol.
 
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C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,355
2,366
Bedfordshire
How well does that packing strap material stand up to UV?

Will depend on whether it is the bog standard polypropylene stuff, or polyester. The PP is fairly quick to degrade in UV. Mind you, whatever it is, it doesn't seem to cause a problem in use like that. Apparently there is nylon strapping which is the most UV resistant, but also most expensive and least used.

Did you have a particular use in mind, or wondering whether the reason the sky scrapers go up so fast out there is that they have to get them done before the packing straps catch too much UV and all let go? :lmao:
 

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