My First and Ugliest Ropewalk

[vvvjames]

Hello all, 

While waiting for a new boat kit to arrive, I decided to try my hand at making a ropewalk, it is a very ugly creation made by someone not knowledgeable at all on the subject, but it works! I didn't follow any set plans, but rather modeled it off of this video on youtube:

(Sorry if my terminology is incorrect)

I made the ropewalk in two pieces, rather than one, so that it could be mounted and scaled up or down if needed. 

This is the whirl end:

May be the ugliest ropewalk ever seen on this forum, if there's a trophy for that, let me know. A mechanic, I am not. 

 

Here is the other side (looper end?):

 

This picture also shows the topper that I carved out of basswood and then drilled holes in, again not elegant. 

 

The two sides can be clamped any distance apart, the securing lines between them just need to be re-tensioned and tied

 

Here's a video of the whole thing in use:

And a picture of some results:

 

I figure the worse a device looks, the more pleasing it is when the product turns out good. I can't wait to experiment more. I am still having issues with the rope unraveling a few inches when it is cut. Otherwise it holds its shape fairly well!

Let me know if I did anything wrong that could be making the rope do this! 

Best,

James

Edited Wednesday at 07:25 PM by vvvjames

[Chuck]

Really nice rope....and I have seen worse looking ropewalks, LOL.

 

Great job on that!!!

[ccoyle]

1 hour ago, vvvjames said:

it works!

 

And therefore it is a success, no matter how outwardly hideous it may appear!

[Kenchington]

It seems to work superbly! But rotate everything the opposite way to make (normal) right-hand lay rope. Your examples are left-hand lay and (aside from a few special applications) that just looks wrong on a model.

 

Trevor

[druxey]

The unravelling may be a function of the lay of the rope versus the lay of the strands - they need to go in opposite directions, Also, newly laid rope need to be hardened. This is done by stretching it on the ropewalk before cutting it loose. I damp the line as I stretch mine. Done correctly it won't subsequently unravel.

 

And don't knock the look of the machine - if it works, it works!

[vvvjames]

49 minutes ago, Kenchington said:

But rotate everything the opposite way to make (normal) right-hand lay rope.

Thank you for this tip Trevor, I just tried rotating the other way and it loosened the thread, then tightened it in the opposite direction. Here's the results:

As a bonus it is not unraveling nearly as much as before! 

4 minutes ago, druxey said:

lay of the rope versus the lay of the strands

I think by switching the rotation, I amended this issue? I will try misting the rope and hardening it next time as well!

 

1 hour ago, Chuck said:

Really nice rope....and I have seen worse looking ropewalks

Kind words Chuck, thank you! I admire your work.

[Chuck]

If you are using polyester rope it will always unravel unless you cook it in a toaster oven.  
 

not too hot…250 degrees maybe 275 for 4 or 5 minutes.

 

Just tie a simple knot on each end when you cut it free from the rope walk and then wrap it around an empty tuna can.  But wrap the tuna can with foil before you cook it.  Some cans can stain the rope when cooked.  No issues with a foil cover however.

[vvvjames]

2 minutes ago, Chuck said:

If you are using polyester

It is polyester, great to know! Before or after being on the ropewalk?

[Chuck]

After…your completed length of rope.  I edited the post.   Also look or search for a topic titled Using Gutterman polyester mara thread for making rope.  You will find recipes and instructions and experiences from other members there.

[Gregory]

It's the result that counts, and that looks as good as any rope I have seen!

[druxey]

Damp hardening won't work on polyester, only cotton. I should have asked first. Chuck set you right on that.