Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

used to restrain the hands and neck only, and is affixed to a pole or set of poles
in such a way that the person in it must stand.
Stocks, on the other hand, are set vertically and used to immobilize only the
subject’s arms and legs while he typically sits. There are many other
permutations, some of which immobilize all three appendages - the neck, arms,
and legs. For the most part, all stocks, pillories, and similar devices are
generically referred to as stocks.
There are quite a few online retailers offering stocks and pillories; however, their
relatively simple design makes it a do-it-yourself project that is feasible for most
people. Some of the fascinating DIY design variations that I’ve seen have
included a chain-suspended pillory, a pillory table which required the bottom to
kneel beneath the table and poke her head and hands through holes in the
tabletop, and even a barrel pillory with just a head poking out of the top of a
wooden barrel. The possibilities are endless.
Racks
Racks, which are sometimes referred to as torture or stretching racks, have been
used for torture and sometimes even execution for over two thousand years. The
traditional rack consisted of a wooden frame or table-like device which sat
horizontally or at a slight incline, with ratcheting rollers or cylinders at each
end. Attached to the ratcheting rollers were ropes, chains or cables which were,
in turn, attached to wrist or ankle cuffs. A subject would be placed on the rack
and restrained by the wrist and ankle cuffs before his torturer would begin
ratcheting the rollers tight to put excruciating tension on the arms and legs.
Often, the person would be held immobile on the rack by the tension while other
forms of torture, such as whipping, burning, or cutting were applied. Eventually,
the tension would be increased and the subject’s cartilage, ligaments, and bones
would begin to pop, tear, and dislocate in a cacophony of gruesome sounds.
This form of torture was so feared, prisoners would sometimes commit suicide
rather than be subjected to it.
The modern-day racks used in BDSM play aren’t quite so draconian, but they do
apply the same general mechanism to stretch a person out lengthwise by his
wrists and ankles, typically to immobilize the subject while other things are done
to him. Due to the size and complexity of their design, racks tend to be rather
pricy if purchased, or a true labor of love if constructed as a do-it-yourself