Cast-Iron Clothes Airer aka 'pulleymaid'

We seem to have rather a lot of unused headroom so, as I've always wanted one of those cast-iron clothes airers I sent off for a kit of parts, persuaded the boys to cut some wood to fit it, and set them to work.



The pulleys have to be fitted securely.



Then we have to figure out how all that cord has to be threaded...



We need a cleat around about here to tie the ropes to.



Then we need to tie the rope on and try to figure out how much to cut off.



Hopefully the cleat will be in the right position to keep the ropes high enough so we don't keep walking into them.



A knot is strategically positioned to keep the airer at the right height for loading, without it crashing down onto the floor.



I *think* we've threaded it all up correctly...



This knot stops the whole thing crashing down if we accidentally let go of the rope.



Ready for testing. Get your eyes off my tea-towels!



Seems to work! I guess I'd better go do some washing to test it...



Fortunately, just to spare you all from photos of my rather voluminous undies, we're testing it with the bee suits that got wet in the storm when the shed blew down.

http://www.castinstyle.co.uk/section.php/302/1/traditional-clothes-pulley-airers-ceiling-pulley-kitchen-maid-clothes-pulley-airers

These guys have a good selection
Wish I had seen their cast iron pans before now as well

David

Oooh - they do a nice selection of stuff! I got my kit off ebay from a seller called Genuine Forgery, but he doesn't seem to be active at the moment.

I keep looking at the cookware section of that site and trying to tell myself that I don't need a griddle. I don't sound very convincing...

I love the drying rack...I can picture non stop uses for it besides laundry. I wish we had some ceilings high enough for one. Nice tile floor too...

AWESOME.

I need to do that. We have a large drying rack but it isn't enough.

Our family didn't have one as the ceiling was too low, but friends had one for clothes near the fire and one for drying/storing cured meat, chillies etc under cover, but in a cool area.
You'd want a ham to be well attached...

What amazes me is the number of people who could have one of these yet dont And spend money on electric tumble dryers instead.

David

I've been known to buy an extra shower curtain rod, and just put it in the middle of the shower. Let it drip.
Great for a few pairs of socks, shorts, & a t-shirt or two.