payton said:
When you guys make rope out of twine do you make it into small rope then into a thick rope or do you go right from twine to thick rope? another question what is the difference between 3 and 4 strand rope? well not really what the difference is but what difference it makes. for a big rope like that do you use the entire thing of twine?
I have been looking at this stuff and i think im going to make a rope machine out of cast aluminum this summer.
You start with twine and make a rope.
The 3 of 4 strand difference.
4 strand gives you a smoother rope.
3 strand makes it easier to get a nice rope.
I even have a 6 strand machine I built as a test. It is VERY hard to get a nice 6 strand rope.
As the rope is forming you need to keep all the strands at the same tension or you will get a lumpy rope.
That is very easy with 3 because you just pick which way to move the rope.
With a 4 strand machine what could you do if the upper left and the lower right strand were both starting to droop?
You would pick one way to go and get a lump in your rope.
Let us just say a beginner needs to start with a three hook machine before trying a four hook one.
You CAN make a 4 hook machine and just use 3 hook if you feel you must.
There is one other thing to consider,,,,
The man that made and sold thousands of these New Era rope machines made 3 strand machines.
Yes, I looked at the stated total feet of twine on that old package, divided that by 24 and paced off the result.
When I got it all strung out I think I had an extra nine feet of twine. That was cutting it pretty close.
If you read that New Era instruction book that I linked to you will see they use more strands than I do to get the same size rope.
They are using Binder Twine from the old Grain Binders of those days.
I use Baling Twine from the old Hay Balers.
Baling Twine is larger. The terms are not interchangable.
They use still another twine now for the big round bales.
You WANT to build a geared machine.
On a New Era machine the hooks turn just a little more than three times for each turn of the crank.
I hope this answers the questions you asked. 8>)))
