Rope Making

[PitchyPine]

This method of making rope dates back quite a ways , they used a twirling stick to do the twisting witth. Hope this i appropriate to post here.

Been doing a little rope making using baler twine. I had a small original rope machine but it wasn`t up too what i wanted to make so out came the plazy cutter and some 1/2 inch steel.
The first method we used for a swivel and tensioner didn`t work out, the garage door spring got too stiff the further it pulled and the swivel would stop working. Next was the electric motor which works perfect for the swivel, we set it on some ten foot boards thinking that would be long enough for the distant the motor travels when twisting the rope but not so. Next we mounted the motor on a old lawn mower base and with a cement block tied to the back to act as a drag it worked perfect.

 

[rabjr]

Nice Len, now start growing your own Hemp. :wink:

 

[PitchyPine]

Nice Len, now start growing your own Hemp. :wink:

I`d get busted and hung with my own rope :rotf:
Thanks buddy.

 

[rabjr]

Nice Len, now start growing your own Hemp. :wink:

I`d get busted and hung with my own rope :rotf:
Thanks buddy.

Oh ya forgot about all the leaves and buds that come with Hemp. :rotf: Makes good rope though! :haha:

 

[boar]

Boy that brings back memories. Us kids,me and two other brothers had to crank the twine by hand for our dad,then he would us the 3 part tool and come towards and make the rope. His was all made out of wood. He had a board in a vise with 3 heavy wire cranks that each of us cranked. I still make rope but just use a stick to twist the twine, have used a drill with a bent nail. I four braid all my lead ropes. I even twist up the string off the feed sacks at times. Good job. Dilly

 

[mazo kid]

Hey Lenn, that is a serious rope making machine! Good to see you back making "stuff" again.

 

[PitchyPine]

Thanks guys, between the new old Harley and a good woman i`m coming back to life. :thumbsup:

 

[PitchyPine]

Here`s some info on dates of rope machines.

Link

It's interesting to note that the Lewis & Clark expedition of 1804 carried a rope machine on the trip to make rope from animal hides, namely bison and elk. The machine was reputed to be a three strand machine with sun and planet gearing. The machine could have been similar to the Sellers and Bantle machine listed below. There is no specific detail in the journals on the source of the rope machine.



The first rope machine patent (759X; Not in internet database!) was issued to Sellers & Bantle on May 5, 1807. This machine had three strand hooks on shafts driven from a central gear (sun and planet gearing). The hand cranked gearing was housed in a wooden box mounted on a wooden stake.



H. Evans of New Bedford, Mass, received patent 7,664 on September 24, 1850. This was a four strand gearhead designed for use on the traveler end on a long rope walk. The head assembly could be locked to the frame to allow cranking the strand shafts, or the strand shafts could be locked, and the head released to rotate, and slide down the frame, when closing the rope. Not very portable.



F. J. Miller, of Buford, GA, received patent 31,615 on March 5, 1861. This was a portable, three strand rope machine design, where the traveler assembly had a geared crank, to assist during closing. The traveler assembly was designed to slide along two dovetail slots cut in the carrier board. A rope went over the traveler end of the carrier board, to a ballast weight that tensions the whole assembly. Miller identified that the carrier board could be hinged, to fold up for storage. The length of the frame would be a limiting factor in the length of rope produced.

 

[rich pierce]

Very cool; I learned something from your post.

 

[Nifeman]

Len, you never cease to amaze me :thumbsup: ...Bud

 

[PitchyPine]

Thanks Gents, cranked out another today, it`s a little ove a inch dia.. IT took 39 strings total and is 15 feet long.

 

[omarick1948]

Hello Len, Good to see you in the swing again guy!

Thanks for the great photo's, but now I know where my lawnmower went!!

Rick :blah:

 

[PitchyPine]

I`m always scronging good building material :grin:

I wouldn`t of believed it till i saw it with my own eyes, made this auto twister. It goes right down the rope by it`s own self makin rope behind it. :shocked2:

 

[PitchyPine]

 

[PitchyPine]

check out the video

 

[gmarc]

Len: How many strands, of what length, to get a given length of finished line?

I ahve successfully used eight threads of linen twine, made into two strands, to make a spiffy flemished bowstring,but the twine was waxed.

How do you keep the strands from unlaying and have you tried splicing it yet?

Grant

 

[PitchyPine]

We`ve made quite a few using eight strands per string, three strings in the weave. We made a big rope the other day, it measured 50 feet in length finished, 1 1/2 inch diamiter. It had 16 strands per string and shortened 15 feet when twisted. There was 3,600 ft. of twine total.

 

[PitchyPine]

How do you keep the strands from unlaying and have you tried splicing it yet?

Whoops, not sure what ya mean about the unlaying, nope haven`t tried splicing yet.
Here`s some good info about rope making.

Link

 

[gmarc]

Pitchy: Unlaying=unraveling or losing your twist.

I saw the torch clean up....do you add any oil to smooth the feel?

Is the twine hemp or sisal?

When I was a young boatswain's mate, natural fiber line was just giving way to nylon & polypro. I loved the way the natural fibers would splice and naturally lock together. Beautiful "rope" ( we called it "line" aboard ship) and nice equipment to boot! Good to see such product being made..couldn't imagine life without it:bow:

 

[PitchyPine]

I`m using my neighbors WI-FI and can`t get a good signal all the time so forgive my slow replies sometimes. :redface:

The twine is sisal, have`nt had any un raveling as of yet.
I recently discovered the timber knot so using a rope to pull trees over or such is a pleasure, can`t believe I missed that knot all these years :redface: . And as you know a knot in a rope after pulling something is imposible to get out.