Ladder Lashed to Self-Supporting Stack
After making the lower half of the extension ladder solid at the top and bottom so as not to permit it to sway to either side, climb the top half of the ladder, lashing the stack again, and repeat as before. Guy wires have to be replaced from time to time, as these wires rust and fall down, leaving the stack to the mercy of the winds, if not attended to before they become so badly decayed.
As stated before, stacks that are supported by guy wires have from one to three sets, and generally four wires to a set. A ½-inch galvanized wire is sufficient for any stack, although some people prefer a larger size wire for double safety.
KNOTS
Knots are a very important factor in the Steeple-Jack’s life. Only knots that have been properly tested should be used. Many a terrible disaster has been caused by the use of a knot which was quickly invented by a man and never tested. Avoid such accidents by learning to tie knots in the proper fashion.
Slip knots are bothersome as well as dangerous to both the person working in the air and the people walking underneath. There are very few knots that are useful to the Steeple-Jack, and it is well for every man following this trade to learn to make these few knots well and thereby avoid delay when in need.