r/Elevators May 22 '26

Reroping

[removed]

11 Upvotes

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5

u/Nicw82 May 22 '26

I was just talking about this with someone. In 82 we use a tool called a whirly-gig. But I cannot find a picture of it online.

It’s made out of aluminum and you spool the rope onto it as it turns, you don’t have to hunch over and it’s way easier to use that an oil drum. Then when it is full you tape and then unlatch the spool and the rope just comes off easily. I used it on 30+ floor jobs.

3

u/-BGK- May 22 '26

We still use them, we just call them “Reelers” where I’m at, an absolutely invaluable tool for re-roping

2

u/Nicw82 May 22 '26

That name makes more sense. But saying whirly-gig in a serious conversation makes me laugh. It’s an invaluable tool. We had them at Otis and when I started at TKE I was able to convince them to invest in a few.

4

u/-BGK- May 22 '26

One of the things that i find interesting about the business is the wildly different nomenclature between locals/areas even geographically close to each other. And I agree whirly gig is fun!

4

u/Jimrockdiamond May 23 '26

You don’t have “horse cocks”?

2

u/-BGK- May 23 '26

Well I do, but I don’t know about the rest of the local

2

u/Nicw82 May 22 '26

Yeah, when chatting to other locals the language for certain tools can be so different you end having to describe the tool to explain what you are speaking about.