Vertical Spools

A vertical spool is a device where the rope follows a helical path and the axis of the helix is vertical. There are a number of other devices that also fit this description (various carabiner wraps and certain hooks come to mind), so I rather arbitrarily decided that if the diameter of the helix was 20 mm. or more, the device would be discussed here. I also included the Miller descenders because of their similarity to the Sky Genie and Frost Rope Rider (not to be confused with the Forrest Rope Riders, which are horizontal spools).

Some large-diameter (say, 8 to 10 rope diameters) vertical spools can provide smooth control that is similar to the horizontal spools, but they contribute more rope twisting without providing any compensatory benefit. Others are simply horrid. The small-diameter spools function more like Patten’s Hook, and can cause severe spinning under adverse conditions.

ID	Device ↓	Description	Acquired	Weight ↓	Height ↓	Width ↓	Thickness ↓	Std. volume ↓
3085	Capewell Descender	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip	Shannon Gardiner, 2021	734	283	64	59	1061
421	Don Mulholland	Galvanized pipe, top & bottom guide rods, side rope guides	Don Shofstall, 1990	880	190	83	56	883
1119	Elk River Descendor™	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Franklin T Finley, 2007	701	240	24	24	137
417	Forrest Escape Line	Al spool, slotted end plates, eye bolt, for 4 mm. Kevlar cord, emergency use only	John E. Weinel, Inc., 1985	264	118	64	52	393
558	Frost Rope Rider I	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, cover tube /w knurled grip, for 8 mm. rope.	International Safety Equipment, 1999	258	178	43	42	321
429	Frost Rope Rider II	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip	John E. Weinel, Inc., 1992	743	248	59	57	834
1414	Holthausen	Steel rod /w rope grooves & end eyes, two cut eyebolt horns, sheet metal cover tube	Álvaro Gomes da Fonseca, 2014	1325	209	120	48	1208
466	Miller Descent Device (Large)	Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube	Safety Supply, 1991	771	263	82	60	1294
465	Miller Descent Device (Small)	Forged Al rod /w rope grooves & end eyes (one /w horn), sheet metal cover tube	Rob Beightol, 1991	508	224	71	52	827
1067	Mio Mechanical MIO–D	Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, overspeed control, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye	CWC Supply, 2007	1998	305	151	87	3996
1056	Mio Mechanical MIO–D2	Forged Al rod /w end discs, lever actuated brake cam, sheet metal cover tube, clevis eye	CWC Supply, 2007	1230	216	147	98	3123
3180	Preaux Rappelestein	Al tube, carabiner welded to side, welded bottom	Brian Preaux, 2022	964	154	174	114	3032
3339	Rappelestein	Al tube, locking carabiner welded to side, glued plastic bottom	Laura Demarest, 2023	821	266	120	73	2321
3182	Sky Genie 8G0/DS–S	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Associated Scaffolding, 2022	163	140	49	38	262
930	Sky Genie DT2, Version A	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Peter La Plante, 2003	358	225	53	52	621
3181	Sky Genie DT2, Version B	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Sandia Deals, 2022	382	229	53	51	622
3002	Sky Genie DT2, Version C (a.k.a. DS–M)	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Planet Surplus, 2021	431	229	59	48	647
467 1236 1312	Sky Genie DT2&3	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	John E. Weinel, Inc., 1989 Bob Elron, 2009 (3) Michael Jakub, 2012	555	246	66	62	1007
3086	Sky Genie 14G–0, Version A	Forged Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube, rope sling /w 2 snap hooks	John David, 2021	556	247	62	70	1066
3174	Sky Genie 14G–0, Version B	Forged & plated Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Rock Solid Estate, 2022	556	248	62	66	1020
3184	Sky Genie DS-L	Forged & plated Al rod /w end eyes, sheet metal cover tube	Windows 101 USA, 2022	537	248	69	62	1055
426	Spiral Brake	Galv. pipe /w steel carabiners bolted to each end	Gary Storrick, 1991	1387	360	70	70	1764
425	Storrick Rappelestein, Version A	Al tube, carabiner welded to side, welded bottom	Robert W. Storrick, 1979	948	150	140	89	1869
3067	Storrick Rappelestein, Version B	Al tube, carabiner welded to side, welded bottom	Gary Storrick & Amy Skowronski, 2021	738	154	148	89	2018
3288	Storrick – Rea Rappelestein	Al tube, locking carabiner welded to side, Lexan & resin bottom	Gary Storrick & Amy Skowronski, 2023	902	272	123	73	2443
3287	Storrick – Shofstall Rappelestein	Al tube, carabiner welded to side, Lexan & resin bottom	Gary Storrick & Amy Skowronski, 2023	890	272	121	73	2394
1433	Capewell Descender	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip	Recyclingit Inc, 2015	742	283	57	53	852
3078	Tech Safety Lines RopeRider	Al, vertical rod /w V slot, spring loaded slot engager, sheet metal cover tube /w abrasive grip	Michael Record, 2021	732	283	60	59	992
428	Vertical Spool	Galv. pipe /w two welded guide bollards	Gary Storrick, 1991	1298	254	87	64	1414