Despite giving the second worst rappel of any device in my collection, rappel-e-steins became popular among Pittsburgh area cavers. No self-respecting member of our club would go to a party without one.
Don Shofstall invented the rappel-e-stein long ago, and as soon as I heard about it, I had this one made for me. Mine is one of the earliest copies. Don's original was much taller and smaller in diameter; I chose to make mine closer to customary drinking mug dimensions.
I had a chance to buy Don's original at the NSS auction a few years ago, but the price was too steep for my wallet. I hoped that the purchaser would donate it to my collection, but they put it in the smaller NSS museum instead.
The rappel-e-stein consists of an aluminum plate with a carabiner welded on the side (upside down is best), a bottom inset about an inch (mine is aluminum, welded in place), and a hole for the seat attachment (visible at the lower right). The rope is rigged by passing two turns through the carabiner and around the spool. My rappel-e-stein does not give a very smooth rappel on stiff ropes - as I feed the rope, the coils expand and I drop a few inches, then stop, having to repeat the process.
As a stein, the aluminum is not ideal for slow drinkers, since the beer gets warm quickly.
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©2007, Gary D. Storrick