Tips and Tricks

Adjusting height and storing of rig's feet.
       When taking down the rig, instead of pulling the feet out of the leg sections .
       Consider just sliding the feet all the way into the leg section and snugging the set screw,
       Thereby storing the feet inside the leg section. this way you have one less thing to carry
       and it takes up less space in your car for transport.
       This may not be for everyone, but in some cases it helps.

Transporting from vehicle to set up location

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Switching out equipment.

If you need to switch out equipment after the rig is already up.
The easiest and optimum way is to bring the rig down to about 11 ft high, (2 legs on rig per side)
use a step ladder (Or , if you are gymnasts, stand on someone's shoulders.)
to swap  out equipment then raise the rig again.

Alternately you can use a spare fabric hung near the side of rig as your way up to get to top and hang equipment.
One simple way is to have a spare fabric hanging, without any type of swivel,  at the very side of the rig.
You can climb up this and rig another fabric in middle for performing on, or a Lyra.
Then come down, and twist the spare fabric and wrap it around the leg in such a way
that the wind can not catch it and turn it into a dangerous sail.

You could use a spare fabric on each side of rig to climb up either side for rigging.
This fabric can then also serve as decoration of the legs of rig when not being climbed to rig soenthing.

This concept of 2 spare fabrics one on each side is great if you need to rig static trapeze.

To hang a trapeze bar after rig is already up with a fabric on the side of rig.
Climb up and temporarily hang another fabric in middle, transfer over to it. Hang the trapeze bar form the 2 eyebolts.
The transfer back to side fabric and bring middle fabric back down. then store the spare fabric around the leg as described above.

You could even use a pulley for outside climbing fabric( or rope ladder) to temporarily hoist fabric up, swap equipment then lower it back down.
 

Hopefully I will have pulley system developed and tested that can be used.
I need to make sure that the hoisting rope or cable does not put dangerous stress on the leg
that the hoisting cable is fastened to during a performance.

Caution:
If the pulley system is not a block & Tackle type of arrangement that provides a mechanical advantage.
Then all the weight and forces of a drop are focused on the ONE leg that the pulley rope is tied off too.
If it is a multi-pulley block and tackle type system, which is preferred, then only as portion of the weight and force is transferred to the one leg.
Example, if it is a 3:1 system, then 1/3 of weight and force is transferred to the leg.

I am not comfortable with performing on a pulley system till it is fully tested.

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Pulley Systems

For Pulley systems to purchase follow link.
Available from Aerial Animals.

The rig is drilled for extra eyebolts
and guy wires attachment points that can be used for pulleys. 

Info on use of and precautions for pulley systems.

Most of the needed parts are readily available at climbing shop or such.
I do advise that Mountain climbing quality equipment be used,
NOT ordinary hardware store type pulleys and rope.

I suggest one pulley in middle for hoisting a fabric up for performing on or
a person can then  climb up the fabric to get to header
for hanging other apparatuses such a a single/double trap.
You could also hoist up a cable ladder.

You should have another pulley to the side of the header, this way the rope goes up
to the middle of header, then to the side to get it out of your way before the rope
comes down to be tied off. 

Make sure you know how to properly tie a loop to end of rope for a carabineer
Preferably with a bowline knot or some knot that is VERY secure.
If you don't know how, got to a mountaineering store for assistance.
YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.
You need enough rope past the carabineer to reach from top from carabineer to ground for when the carabineer is all the way up while the equipment is lowered to the ground.

The end of the rope that has the carabineer that holds your apparatus, it is a good idea to have some kind of weight on it like a small sand bag, etc. so that if after you remove the apparatus, if the carabineer inadvertently goes up, or if you need to pull it up to get it out of the way, you can get it back down.

Below is a SINGLE pulley system witch is NOT advised for performing on.
This is the arrangement that would be better suited for rigging pulley on the side of header
and used to temporarily hoist up a temporary fabric or rope climb up to rig other
apparatus directly to the header eyebolts, then come back down.

For a pulley system to PERFORM ON,  it should be a Block & Tackle type
with at least a 2:1 mechanical advantage, preferably a 3:1 .

Caution:
If the pulley system is not a block & Tackle type of arrangement that provides a mechanical advantage.
Then all the weight and forces of a drop are focused on the ONE leg that the pulley rope is tied off too.
If it is a multi-pulley block and tackle type system, which is preferred, then only as portion of the weight and force is transferred to the one leg.
Example, if it is a 3:1 system, then 1/3 of weight and force is transferred to the leg.

IF YOU INTEND TO USE PULLEYS AND ROPE TO PERFORM ON
PLEASE READ THE WARNING SECTION ON PULLEYS. MISUSED THEY CAN POSE A SERIOUS RISK.
CLICK HERE FOR PULLEY USE AND WARNINGS

Pulley arrangement on header  
This pulley arrangement is NOT advised,
only use a block and tackle style of arrangement with a minimum of a 2:1 mechanical advantage.

For Pulley systems to purchase follow link.
Available from Aerial Animals.

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Packing your rig to protect paint, easy carrying and  for transport.

Get some cheap very thin carpet, ( Home depot has some for about $9.50/yrd.)
Or large towels,
Cut it to 3ft by 6.5 foot sections.
OR get some thin throw rugs. or even an old blanket.

put one leg on each side, fold carpet over leg and place other leg section on.

roll each side in.

Roll one more time and put on the strap.

If you use 2 straps they can function as carrying handles.

Two leg bundles (8 leg sections) on a dolly