Zip Lines Break - But Why?

When creating a zip line at 12-years-old, Mark's zip line kept breaking and he didn't know why. Years later, he finally tests why this happened. [For entertainment purposes only]

[@mmuller3233]

Great explanation, graphic and comprehensive, thanks!

[@StarGazer0270]

Great testing & analysis work... gained very valuable information for planning a zip line.Thanks!

[@Pseudothink]

Great video. 'm doing a bit of looking around before using a swaging tool for the first time, and this gives me lots of good information about things to consider. Thanks!

[@gulliver76]

Thanks for the very informative video. One question: On a real Zipline the seat or harness is driven by 2 wheels, putting the stress on 2 points instead of one. Could this make a big difference? Thanks!

[@thechicagoflyhouseinc1865]

It might make a small difference, but the load is still being applied, so the tension on the cable still goes crazy if the line is too tight. Thanks for your interest and your question!

[@kabru4344]

I was just on a zipline and I am falling to my death so I used my mobile data to search this video, thank you🙏

[@MrCPPG]

Did you die?

[@TheMatthewDMerrill]

Looking to make a zip line that goes around a curve and this video broke my idea that I had. Thank you before I wasted a good zipline

[@thechicagoflyhouseinc1865]

Glad we could burst your bubble!

[@thesecretdecoded5801]

Just got a zip line. Noticed a broken strand. It is rated at 4,000 lbs (1/4” SS). Should I use it and inspect frequently, or just get a new one?

[@thechicagoflyhouseinc1865]

We suggest you consult the maker of the equipment about their tolerance for broken strands. In entertainment, we have zero tolerance - any broken strand means retiring the cable. But in crane work, where the risk profile is different, they tolerate a certain number of broken strands per full wrap of the cable before they change the lifting line. It is all about risk tolerance. All of that said, if you do use it, you should definitely continue to inspect it frequently.

[@cadillac20014]

Why is it black and white?

[@thechicagoflyhouseinc1865]

We get this question a lot! Our early videos were in black and white as a style choice to look like old school industrial videos. We have since abandoned that style in favor of color, which you can see in our later videos, although the lead-in is still in black and white.

[@MrCPPG]

@@thechicagoflyhouseinc1865 I totally got the vibe. Rem8nded me of those old movies I watched in school.

[@DeterministicUniverse]

Epic channel

[@googily1]

This is suuch a good video.

[@billmundell4512]

I have build Zip Line from 1996 to the present have never had this situation or problem. I build zip lines into trees and poles and those zip lines have had 250lb people on them.

[@plazmoidialsoup2211]

Too quiet