Tightwire simulators
by Matthew D. Wittmer
I have built and used what I call wire walking simulators for years; these are basically contraptions that support a pipe the same diameter of the walk cable. The reason for making these simulators is that zero rigging is required to walk on them. Walking on a simulator is a time saver for practicing when you don’t have time to go outside and rig a tightwire.
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The finished simulators.
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Detail of the stand ends.
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Making the simulators at Art-Assist that used to be in Burbank.
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I bent the steel after cutting it, then tack welded it.
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My sketch for how to make the steel support the walk pole.
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16-foot simulator next to a 10-foot one. October 6, 2011
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Two 12-foot simulators (center) made for the Cirque School, LA, California, next to a 4-foot and 6-foot one. September 5, 2011
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Tiny transport “travel – stander” for light & fast packing. March 2011
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4 foot long simulator. November 2010
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Transport simulator assembled. It’s base board is narrower for travel but the pipe is the same diameter. November 2009
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The pieces of the transport simulator. November 2009
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In October 2009 I mounted conduit pipe on top of a wooden platform for simulated rope walking. The pipe is 11/16″ in diameter. This simulator enables instantaneous practice.
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Walking on my first practice pipe. October 2009