There is still an easier way, which I will explain later. Now we will say the work you are to do is paint. For your information I will say that oil paint is preferred by Steeple-Jacks for several reasons, some of which are: It is easy to apply in all kinds of weather; you are bound to get plenty of it in the face, and it is easier to wash off than tar. From my personal experience I have found that graphite and oil preserve a steel smokestack better than any other. You will come in contact with people who will differ with you as to this point; however, when you meet with a difficulty of this nature, give the man what he asks for. If he wants water, give him water; if he desires to have tar, give it to him, but if he wants something good, then suggest an oil paint. Graphite and oil—the preservable.
A great number of men with whom you deal will say: “I want tar on my stack.” I have learned from my own personal experience that the answer which will in nine cases out of ten take with the man with whom you are dealing is something on this order: “If you want tar, all right, but it will cost you more money.” He will immediately confront you with a question similar to this: “Why is that?” Your reply should be: “If I put tar on your smokestack and come back next year for your work, you will refuse me, because tar blisters in places and rust forms under the blisters, which prevent the rust from being seen, and in a few years there are holes in the stack, whereas an oil paint wears off, showing the rust spots.”
Changing Positions on Top of Stack
However, I am running away from my story. We will go back to the top of the stack. You look down, getting straight above a guy wire, reach over as far as you can and paint, leaving the space directly in front clear; drop down about ten feet, painting as you go; draw up to the top again, switching the stack hook over and directly above the next nearest guy wire. In order to accomplish this, take an extra hook similar to your stack hook and about seven feet of ½-inch line. Place the extra hook over the top; tie the other end of the sling to the rope of your boatswain chair, making it good and secure. Then lower your weight from your rigging until it rests on the extra hook and sling. You then draw your regular stack hook up to the extra hook. When this is done you pull your weight again to your riggings and push the extra hook around. Do this until you get to the position you want, just above the next nearest guy wire, repeating the same as you did above the other guy wire, painting about ten feet down. When this is done, draw back to the top, using the same method to get over to the middle of the two spaces you have painted.
Then start to paint between the two spaces already completed. By so doing you are able to make a larger sweep on your way down. In order to make time on a stack it pays to have a helper on the ground, so as to take the end of the fall line or handy line and pull you around and by doing this also help to keep you in to the stack, which enables one to work to a better advantage and much quicker. Remember, “Time is money,” and there is lots of it to be made.
The opportunity is there. Tradesmen of all walks of life say: “Gee, business is dull in my trade. If I only had the opportunity that some people have.” A Steeple-Jack should never say that, because there is always work to be done on a smokestack the year ’round. Don’t be afraid to ask for it, and also a price. Yours is not a common trade. It takes brains, brawn and nerve, so don’t permit your nerve to fail you when you are asking a price.
Another thing to be careful of is not to allow your rope to get caught and tangled in the end of a guy wire attached to the stack at the band. Should this happen, it may put you in a very hazardous position. Give this a glance now and then and, should such a thing happen, do not get excited and start tugging. The more you tug, the tighter it gets. Have someone to switch it out from the ground. It is possible to do this from the air.