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[Brian Roberts]

Hi everyone
I would like to create some realistic looking"rope" to put in the rope crate on my Imara.
I think I read some time ago that if several strands of suitable thread were held in a hand drill and turned that would have the desired effect. OK, but it all unravels.............!!
Anyone got some ideas please?
Brian

[westcoaster]

Way back in 2006 there was a thread on this very subject under "Hints and Tips". After "winding up" your thread you need to hold it in the middle while keeping it under a bit of tension, then bring both ends together and release them from the drill chuck and whatever you have the other one tied to. With me so far? Then allow the two threads to twist around each other. Hope this helps.

[dreadnought72]

Making three-strand rope in three easy steps:

1. Individually rotate your strands in the same direction that they're laid until they tighten up.
2. Keep the tension and the twist in each strand.
3. Bring the strands together and then rotate the bundle of strands in the opposite direction.

That'll do it.

Andy

[Brian Roberts]

Thanks Westcoaster, sounds good ,I'll give it a try and let you know how I get on.
Brian

[Brian Roberts]

Thanks Andy, another good idea, I'll give this one a go as well!
Brian

[nhp651]

hi brian, I bought some from Redbank models in varying thicknesses, and any that was too light in colour I boiled up in a mixture of tea and coffee.adorned with a few shackles they don't look too bad. neil.

[Brian Roberts]

Thanks very much Neil, another avenue to explore. I might take the lazy way out!!
Brian

[Bryan Young]

Rather than spending lots of time building and learning how to use a rope making machine.....unless you are really into that sort of thing....it is much easier to buy "ready made". There are many versions of "rope -walks" but all depend on keeping tension constant. The other point to realise is that "yarns" are twisted into "strands" and then the strands are twisted (in the opposite direction) together to make a rope. Really. unless you are going into commercial production, give making your own fibre ropes a miss.
But there is always an exception. Wire ropes. These are really easy to make with fuse wire and a drill. Just string a few lengths between the vice and a (hand) drill and turn the handle. If you want a big wire (like for towing and such) then make 2 or 3 small "ropes" , lay them alongside each other and twist the drill in the opposite direction.

[MikeK]

Rather than spending lots of time building and learning how to use a rope making machine.....unless you are really into that sort of thing....it is much easier to buy "ready made". There are many versions of "rope -walks" but all depend on keeping tension constant. The other point to realise is that "yarns" are twisted into "strands" and then the strands are twisted (in the opposite direction) together to make a rope. Really. unless you are going into commercial production, give making your own fibre ropes a miss.
But there is always an exception. Wire ropes. These are really easy to make with fuse wire and a drill. Just string a few lengths between the vice and a (hand) drill and turn the handle. If you want a big wire (like for towing and such) then make 2 or 3 small "ropes" , lay them alongside each other and twist the drill in the opposite direction.

I used the heavier gauge picture hanging wire for a 1/24 scale forestay on the barge - had to paint it black (maybe there is a simple chemical way ?) but it looks fine

[Brian Roberts]

Many thanks Mike and Bryan for your suggestions but I've decided to take the easy way out and buy some ready made rope from Redbank Models as suggested by Neil.
Thanks everyone for the interest and input you have shown, it's very gratifying to think that there are so many helpful people out there and all brought together through the Mayhem site.
Regards to you all
Brian

[Howard Q]

Hello Brian. Have you tried the modellingtimbers website, Keith has a superb collection of ropes and cords at prices you wouldn't even think about making your own.www.modellingtimbers.co.uk 

[Brian Roberts]

Hi Howard
Many thanks for your recommendation of modellingtimbers for the supply of rope but I've already placed an order with Redbank Models.
However theirs is a most informative site and I've no doubt that I'll be using them at some point in the future.
Thanks again and best wishes
Brian

[sinjon]

Or, if you really want to know how to make rope, go to Rochefort in France where the 'Corderie' is still intact with all the rope making machines in place. Spin off bonus is the frigate Le'Hermione (original 1778) which is being created in the dry dock just down the road.
You probably will still not want to make rope, but definitely worth a visit.

Colin

[Colin Bishop]

There is also a working Ropery at Chatham Historic Dockyard. http://www.chdt.org.uk/Galleries/Ropery/ropery.html

I have visited Rochefort myself, a fascinating place.

Colin

[tonyH]

As Colin notes, Chatham Dockyard ropewalk is still a in commercial use with 19th century equipment.

[Bryan Young]

Apart from keeping the tourists happy, one of the reasons the ropewalk was brought back into service was an Operational Requirement. At one stage (sometime during the '70s I think) we (the RFA) and the RN began being issued with man-made fibre rope (polyprop etc). This stuff proved wholly unsuitable for RAS work and other "specialised" work. e.g. Wetness (got slippery), Stretching (a bad thing to us), Whipplashing when snapped and all sorts of other nasties. So there was no choice but to go back to natural fibre rope. Just thought I'd mention it!. BY.

[Colin Bishop]

Just shows there is always a place for traditional materials and methods Bryan.

Colin

[fooman2008]

Being an American and not having been to England for over 20 years...doesn't the RN have an area in the Portsmouth dockyards that they use for making rope for HMS Victory?  I thought I saw something about it on TV when watching 'Horatio Hornblower' (on DVD an extra feature introduced by Prince Andrew) and remembered something about them making all the ropes for Victory.
Foo

[Colin Bishop]

The Portsmouth ropery building is still in existence adjacent to HMS Victory but ceased to be used for rope making in the mid 19th Century. Since 1985 Victory has been re rigged with synthetic polypropylene rope which lasts a lot longer than traditional fibre such as hemp and does not require constant adjustment with weather conditions.

Colin