Squeeze Box

[av8trix]

Hi All,
My grotto is working on making its very own squeeze box and I'd like to get ideas, suggestions on how to make it, perhaps any plans anyone might have...
Here are a few starter ideas on what Squeezebox features we'd like to have:

two top sections so that one may squeeze futher down into a narrower passage

Holes drilled on top to allow for formations

Wide enough for two people to cross through

Increments of 1/4”

Bungee pop-up top

Steel reinforced sides

Cut-out side windows to see inside

Wheels for portability

[Sharon Faulkner]

Hi Av8trix,

Here is a photo of Dogwood City Grotto's squeezebox.




This squeezebox doesn't have all of the elements you described in your post, but it is in adjustable increments of 1/4 inch. It is also wide enough for two adults to pass through, side by side. I know because Nina Martin and I have passed through from opposite ends on previous occasions. The side windows have plexi-glass that allows viewing of the folks inside.

You might contact Jeff Martin (Georgia) from the Members Manual and see if he has construction plans available.

[Sharon Faulkner]

I'm not sure about the "will, guts, and stupidity" thing, but I thought it was funny since I've squeezed through many a squeeze box at various caving events. ;D
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Squeezebox challenges cavers
Sunday, January, 15, 2006
The Herald-Dispatch

One of the main attractions at the lodge since three or four years into Crawlathon has been the squeezebox.

Looking a bit like a medieval torture device, the squeezebox tests the "will, guts and stupidity" of cavers who like to see if they can crawl through two boards cranked and crushed down an inch or half in at a time.

The youth winner usually slides through at under six inches (that's the length of a dollar bill, folks), and the adult winners often get somewhere in the six-inch mark.

Don Kemper of Flatwoods, Ky., said the idea drifted to ESSO Grotto after Dave West, a member back in the day, had attended a regional caving meeting in Virginia and had tried a squeezebox.

Jim Honaker built the first squeezebox out of scrap materials, and a couple years later, Kemper was asked by the park officials to build an industrial strength squeezebox that lasted for more than 20 years.

It was used up until last year when Terry Hardesty unveiled a new model squeezebox, which takes center stage Saturday night for the finals competitions.

"It's been a really fun thing," said Kemper, who has traded his caving hobby for the kindler, gentler pursuit of astronomy. "And the lesson learned is you don't want to try something like that in a cave. That is part of the purpose of it. The idea has been if you want to push it, let's do it one of these."

www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060115/LIFE/601150312/1004