Ropes of Scale developments and updates

[BenD]

2 hours ago, TomShipModel said:

Polyester lays up beautifully.  However, several of the rigging techniques involve white glue (such as making fake splices and securing knots, seizings and strops).  I also use white glue for getting the catenary droop in foot ropes and loose running rigging.  Is there a way for me to get that with polyester line as white glue doesn't soak into it like cotton or cotton covered polyester?

 

Tom 

With this particular polyester, you will find glues of all types will soak into the fibers as long as they are thinned enough. This includes PVA, Clear nail polish, CA, and even Shellac. As long as the glue is thin or has some type of solvent or alcohol it should work. 

 

I've done tests with PVA and found 60/40 Water/PVA will hold really well. Using PVA for holding a shape in the line will take a few coats and some fiddling.

 

I've tried my wife's clear nail polish and found it will hold a knot really well. The only problem is it will leave a shiny spot.

 

The best glue for this rope is thin CA. It doesn't make it brittle and if you are light enough with the application it won't discolor the rope either. It goes right into the core of the rope and makes impossibly strong knots and seizings. I've managed to use thin CA for shaping curves in rope, it's tricky but can be done with the right applicator. Bob Smith Industries line of CA is what I would recommend for this job. It's high-quality CA that doesn't leave that awful white residue. 

 

I bought some shellac from Home Depot to test it out of knots. It soaked right into the Poly rope and held about as well as PVA. It left a bit of yellowing. I have not tried buying shellac flakes and dissolving them, so I don't know how well that would work or how much discoloring there would be.

 

That covers everything I've tried so far.

[toms10]

It is a 100% polyester thread. 

[TomShipModel]

Ben,

 

Thank you for the information.  I'm not doing any rigging presently, but I will try these techniques.  

 

Tom

[Twokidsnosleep]

Just got my order and am super happy with the quality of these ropes..soon to the riggin !

 

 

[BenD]

On 4/14/2023 at 12:23 AM, Twokidsnosleep said:

Just got my order and am super happy with the quality of these ropes..soon to the riggin !

 

Glad you like the rope! I'll be looking into your black pearl build.

[Twokidsnosleep]

On 4/15/2023 at 3:17 PM, BenD said:

Glad you like the rope! I'll be looking into your black pearl build.

I LOVE the rope

I know good stuff when I see and feel it, been blabbing about your ropes all over the internet

Great stuff man, just great👍🏻😎

Edited January 13 by Twokidsnosleep

[BenD]

Hello Everyone,

 

It's been a while since I last posted. Ropes of scale has been keeping me busy, so busy in fact I had to quit my day job. Thank you guys/gals for all of your support!

 

I've finally added sample cards to the website after years of people asking at least once a month. This product has gone through a few iterations over the past year or two. These are simple, affordable, and hopefully useful.   

 

Sold separately or together.

Size Card contains every size of polyester rope sold from 0.25mm - 1.8mm. 

Color Card has one length of each color sold from the Ropes of Scale lineup.

 

https://ropesofscale.com/products/sample-cards

 

 

[Thukydides]

That's awesome to hear Ben. Your rope is fantastic and this is proof I am not the only one who thinks so.

[Katsumoto]

What fantastic news Ben! Congratulations with the growth of your business!

the sample carts looks great, should help a lot of people to choose the right size rope for their model.

will you do a cable sample cart as well?

 

 

[Ronald-V]

Amazing! Congratulations with your succes...and seeing your ropes getting used in different builds here on the forum, that's some great advertising  

[AJohnson]

Great news Ben, I’ve only just started using your ropes on my Trial build and I am very impressed with it. Good luck to you for the future. I will definitely be ordering more for my next projects. 

[clarkt]

Glad your business is doing well, and hope you will continue to make cotton rope.

[BenD]

19 hours ago, Thukydides said:

That's awesome to hear Ben. Your rope is fantastic and this is proof I am not the only one who thinks so.

@Thukydides your Alert build is just fantastic. It is a great example of what kind of detail can be added with after-market parts... and a lot of talent!  

 

13 hours ago, Katsumoto said:

will you do a cable sample cart as well?

I might just do that. However, I will need to add all the smaller sizes of cable to the collection first. I'll get around to that in the next few months.

 

2 hours ago, clarkt said:

Glad your business is doing well, and hope you will continue to make cotton rope.

I will keep the cotton ropes in production so don't worry. You are not the only one who is worried that I would discontinue them. In fact, I was going to add some more sizes of ropes and cables to the cotton lineup this summer or fall. I've also found a nice light brown color to add to the mix. So look out for that.

 

-

 

A big thanks to everyone for the likes and support!

 

I hope now that I'm working on this full time I can add new products. The next possibilities are adding linen ropes or making more affordable/longer ropes with a modern machine. 

[mtaylor]

That's great news Ben about the business becoming full time.   May your success keep moving forward.