Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Detail Work, Rigging, Fittings, Figures Etc. => Topic started by: Robert Davies on June 12, 2007, 02:59:22 pm
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Hello chaps, silly question time once more.....
I could do with a tow rope for recovery/rescue work with (or for!) my Slipway trent lifeboat - Fitted with VERY substantial cruciform bollards back 'n' front.
Is there a commercial supplier? - I could do with something fairly substantial with a loop spliced into each end.
Of course if someone's up for a masterclass in 'Model boat/ship tow rope making for beginners' that would do spiffingly also.
Trust me, I have searched this font of all knowledge known as 'Model Boat Mayhem forum'. Google wasn't much use either - I did find some other curious links regarding ropes, but being as this forum is family rated, we'll stop right there! :)
Ta!
-Rob :)
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Go to your nearest builds suplies, they should have nylon rope in different sizes, you only have to cut to length and loop it over and wire the ends.
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Rob
You need to get intouch with the internationl guild of knot tyers [url][http://www.igkt.net/index.php/url] they make there own rope so if you can find a member local to yourself. The member I know are allways happy to help with making ropes for modellers.
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Ta for the good info so far chaps!
-Rob
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depends on scale, but B&Q do a range, sash cord, nylon cord etc
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Hello Robert
Another place to look is climbing and outdoor shops for various diameters and types of ropes cords. Survival shop paracord would be very good and a reasonable diameter as would guyrope. Both of those are braided so should be plenty strong enough.
Plenty of those types of shops at Betws-y-coed. :)
http://www.cambriansurvival.co.uk/kit-shop-6.html (http://www.cambriansurvival.co.uk/kit-shop-6.html)
Clive :)
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Hi Rob
Didn't you see me towing the disabled boat back with my tug last Sunday ? Have a look at what Don K. and myself use next week if you will be at Llanberis.
Don B.
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Hi Rob
Didn't you see me towing the disabled boat back with my tug last Sunday ? Have a look at what Don K. and myself use next week if you will be at Llanberis.
Don B.
Hi Don,
I did see, and about halfway home there was a loud 'D'OH!' from within my Volvo as I remembered, rather too late, to ask you about it.
Young 'Kings' needs bigger batteries! That twice in two weeks he hasn't made it home under his own power :)
-Rob
ps Must ask Stavros about his 'Happy Hunter' towing line too.
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There will be a towing line at teh lake on sunday for you Robert !!!! Stavros
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There will be a towing line at teh lake on sunday for you Robert !!!! Stavros
Now that's service for you! :)
Cheers Stavros!
-Rob
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It is a very simple procedure to splice a loop in the end of a piece of either hemp or polyprop rope and then to apply a "whipping" to keep it together and neaten it all off.
Have a look at these:
http://dmcleish.com/spectra/splice.html
http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/articledetail.html?lid=7593
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipping_knot
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I'm in complete agreement with you, Bunkerbarge. I always eye splice or back splice the ropes on my tugs, whether for effect or practical use. I remember my seamanship instructor at HMS Ganges in 1953, telling us "worm and parcel with the lay, serve it up the other way", and a whipping on the rope also should be done against the lay. The different types of whipping can make quite a difference to the overall look too, I have always favoured the west country whipping personally.
Danny
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I would suggest though that if you are planning to use a Spectra or any of the other hi-tec micro fibres, that you don't splice it.
Spectra doesn't do well with splicing, it rapidly degrades in strength
for micro braids, a compression knot, rather than a splice or strangle knot, retains far more strength.
Have a look at either the Grinner knot ( bit workman like, but retains 95% of the strength, or the bibini twist:
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/fishing_knots/knots_Bimini.html
Which was specifically designed to retain 100% or more of the stength of braided lines.
sorry for knot-geekiness.
Steve
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What I do personally is simple superglue approx 30mm along end of rope bend back onto itself forming a loop,then whip finish and superglue.Works and looks very tidy
Stavros
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if your not keen on splicing Robert you could do my method,
thats to form a loop sew it together with strong thread ,super glue it and then slip a piece of heat shrink over to tidy it up .
works for me .
daz
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umi's plasma rope trick
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7067092&postcount=125
the tow ropes look to be dead on
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Goodness!
This thread's come back to life!
Plasma rope? Look more closely, it's a fancy shoelace but it don't half look right in position :)
I'm using one of Stavros ropes now, but may have a crack at the heat shrink idea on the next one.
Cheers peeps! All good stuff :)
-Rob
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Here's a later version from nylon cord...
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1249197
And a smaller chord below that I just couldn't get to bury properly... ::)
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There is a far easier way.
Loop the end of the "rope".
slide over the double end a fairly good fit heatshrink.
Heat up and trim if necessary.
Bob
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There is a far easier way.
Loop the end of the "rope".
slide over the double end a fairly good fit heatshrink.
Heat up and trim if necessary.
Bob
Yeah, that's what everyone keeps telling me... ::)
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Shipmate60 has the best idea, i have been doing that for years, it looks tidy, and is very strong.
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Why you are at folks remember to put the hard eye in the end of the tow to connect in the towing tail. :angel:
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This is a very interesting and informative thread.
Reading this I thought I had it sussed as to how I am going to male a tow rope, what has trown me is the words " Hard Eye", What's that then........
Geoff
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big-geof,
The hard eye is a metal insert shaped to form the hawser in a loop.
It is ideal for using with a joining shackle for attaching thinks like a Towing Bridle to.
Or any metal Shackle, it gives a metal to matal contact which is far more hard wearing than metal (shackle) to rope or wire.
Bob
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Thanks
Makes sense to have somat like that.
Had a look in MODERATED Can we use the correct name for the company, B&Q and not one other people might find offensive, they do stuff for washing lines that might suffice, will have to play.
Cheers
Geoff