Model shipways scale rope making tool

[SiriusVoyager]

As I continue to learn more about ships, modeling and general nautical history, one thing I have noticed is how good models look with actual scale rope.  The cotton string that comes with some kits just doesn't look all that good in comparison so I had considered getting a rope walk.  I came across the Model ship ways scale rope making too on sale for about $19 so I decided to try it out.  The contents of the kit came packed in bubble wrap lined manila envelope and consists of two laser cut basswood sheets (3/16 in thick) and the hardware.  Upon doing an inventory there appears to be two missing pieces.  A brass rod (the stopper) and two pieces of copper tube that appear to have been replaced by a nylon tube to use as handles.  As can be seen, there is a knot in the basswood, but this ended up not really being a problem.

 

 

The back side of the sheets are a bit charred.  Was this why it was marked down?  Since I didn't pay full price and it is only cosmetic I cleaned it up a bit and carried on with building.

 

 

The base and handle pieces are glued together to form form 3/8 inch pieces.  The slots in the bases are slightly too small so sanding is needed which gives a tight fit.

 

 

The instructions call for tapering the ends of the copper tubes to help fit them into the gears.  This is helpful as it is a very snug fit that required a bit of hammering to insert.

 

 

 

 

The tubes then go into the corresponding holes and the three smaller gears are held in place with lock washers (concave facing in).  An index card is used to provide a tiny bit of space to eliminate friction with the wood.

 

 

 

At this point is where I decided to not build the rope walk as designed.  I decided to go against using the hand crank as it seems like it would be very slow.  I used the nylon tube and cut some rubber washers to hold the larger gear/wheel in place.  My plan is to use a drill to turn the rope walk.

 

 

I will definitely get an appropriately sized lock washer as the nylon tends to slide more easily that I anticipated, but it works in a pinch.

 

The eye bolts simply screw into place.

 

 

I didn't take many photos of building the other side because it is incredibly straight forward after building the geared side.  The last thing to do was to make a stopper since the kit was missing one.  I made it by sanding down scrap dowel.  I think this will actually be better because it is less likely to get lost.

 

 

The finished rope walk sans handles.  The stopper being wedged in back should stay put while not in use.

 

 

It seems to work ok with a drill, but it would be a better if the tubes were just a bit longer.  That isn't a failing of the kit though since it wasn't designed for such usage.  Overall, I would say that it is reasonably good simple kit for what I paid for it.  At full price however, I try to get something higher quality (even if it costs a bit more) or DIY.

 

Edited Wednesday at 01:41 PM by SiriusVoyager

[Desertanimal]

That’s some good information. Thanks for posting this! The timing for me is very well placed. 
Chris

Edited Wednesday at 01:59 PM by Desertanimal

[SiriusVoyager]

Here is a link to my first attempt at rope making.

[Nirvana]

Very much a copy of Syren's ropewalk tool.

I have been using Chuck's and am highly happy with the results.