searched: simple ropemaking machine
Woinem1
I'm trying to make handmade ropes from mais-straw or raffia. For that purpose
I'm searching a simple ropemaking machine with 3-4 hooks type "iron wheel". Any
suggestions?
Peter Suber
You can find instructions for making one in Gerald L. Findley's book,
_Rope Works_. You can preview the book at
<http://www.northnet.org/ropeworks/>. The web site also
contains an order form; the book is a good buy at $7.75.
I don't know where to buy such a machine pre-built, but I'd like to
know. It's one of the 10 most frequently asked questions I get.
Good luck,
Peter Suber
pet...@earlham.edu
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Combs
http://www.donpierce.com/rope.html
I would like to see one that clamps down though.
Martin Combs
Coos Bay, Oregon
Peter Suber wrote in message <7r21q5$o3p$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
Dennis Novak
> Hello, ropemakers,
> I'm trying to make handmade ropes from mais-straw or raffia. For that purpose
> I'm searching a simple ropemaking machine with 3-4 hooks type "iron wheel". Any
> suggestions?
The nicest one I've seen, was a home made device that my Scout troop owned. It was
made by a machinist from about two feet of 2 x 2 inch angle iron.
Three bushings, about 10" apart were fixed into one leg of the angle. Each bushing
carried a piece of 1/4" dia rod. One end had an open hook. The other end was bent
into a crank. An iron bar with a handle joined the cranks, so you could crank all
three hooks simultaneously. I've seen similar devices made from wood and coat
hanger wire. They are usually good for one use. This beastie is about 20 years
old.
You also need a "comb" to separate the strands while winding. This is cut from
3/8" plywood, and looks like a ping-pong paddle with three notches cut around the
rim.
To use it, you clamp the angle to a saw horse or something. Double three lengths
of twine, and drop the bight of each doubled strand over a hook. Wind them up
tight.
Transfer two strands to the one hook, so all thee are on the same hook. Separate
the three strands with the comb. Wind the opposite direction as the first
winding. The strands will wind into a three strand laid rope. Keep the comb sort
of snug against the rope, as you wind. The winding process will drive the comb
away from the machine as the rope is formed.
Then done, whip both ends.
Our troop made most of its rope with this machine as long as I was working with
them, about 10 years.
There is a description and probably a picture in the Boy Scout Handbook.
I have seen a cast iron version that had three geared hooks that ran inside a ring
gear. You might keep a eye out at flea markets. But I've only ever seen one, so
you may get mighty hungry, waiting.
-Dennis Novak
Woinem1
kites. If you want to know how, look into
http://members.aol.com/woinem1/index/kitail2.htm
Thanks once more and have a nice day
Greeting from Uli Wahl/ old Germany