A couple questions about rope bondage

The last Saturday of every month my Lord and I go to a fetish night they have at one of the goth clubs in Salt Lake. They always have a rope bondage booth and my Lord and i are very interested in it. But I have a few questions that it are hard to ask and get good explinations of in a dark loud club... so I thought I would consult you all. Most of the questions are about suspension. I am a larger girl around 200 lbs. and we currently live in a small apartment so there is only so much we can do...

The free standing suspension units, has anyone ever used them?

are they durable?

can they work for someone larger like me?

If and when we do own a house, how does one go about finding a beam or place in the house that would support any type of suspension bondage?

Is it best to have a professional come in and assess the beams so you know
how much load they can bare?

When you find a good beam what hardware should you use to make it easy to use for suspension?

Are there any books that cover this stuff? Most of hte rope bondage books I have come across so far don't have much if any on suspension, but I know they have to be out there.

The quality of suspension rigs depends on many factors, and there is no way I can answer this without knowing more. General advice, check with the manufacturer, and check out the manufacturer. Look at it the way you would any other purchase that your life may depend on, because it will. They make small hoist that can easily suppoprt hundereds of pounds, so unless your weight is extreme, there are rigs that can hold you. But be careful, just like I do not trust a chair simply because it looks like a chair, do not think that all rigs are the same.

As for a house, this is actually simpler. If you buy a house you should have it inspected anyway, so just inform the inspector that you may be hanging sone heavy art works, or whatever, form the ceiling and ask him to certify that also. As for what to look for, I would look for at least a 4 x 4 beam that is anchored and supported on both ends with a span of not more than 8ft. A better idea is to go for a rustic cabin look, with the rough beams crossing the room below tha actual cieling these beams are usually larger and more than capable of supporting you. If you bulid your own home, you can have these put in anywhere you want.

I do not know of any books, but even I cannot read everything.

Rope Climbing equipment is manufactured in the quality you are looking for, and you can be sure to get the durability needed. Additionally, you can ask them about the equipment you purchase there in the store in regards to your weight. As far as a beam in the house. A center beam that runs the length of the home is good, usually find these in the floor (ceiling of a basement). Just take into account weight distribution in the joists of the ceiling you are using. A mobile home ceiling will not hold, but a beam in cathedral ceiling of a house might.

Good luck, and be careful!

If you bf is a mechanic... it's a hell of a good excuse for getting an engine hoist... Kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

heehee... unfortunately he s not a mechanic....

thanks for the advice everyone.