Rope end maintenance

[Magnum783]

What are you guys using on the ends of ropes. I have used the electrical tape, sharp knife, and torch this works great with tenex, stable braid and the likes but it does not work at all with the amazing high tech hitch cords of today. I was thinking about trying to cut a piece of electrical shrink wrap. Shrinking it down but then maybe the thickness of the wrap would pose a problem. With my HH2 a tight almost tapered end makes for a much easier setup. Let em rip boys let's hear those ideas I open to almost anything.

 

[RajElectric]

I tapered mine and then whipped the end very, very tight.

 

[Del_]

I use a 200 watt large soldering iron to melt rope ends. Works great.

Also do whipping and whip end dip.

 

[anlrolfe]

Try these:

Whip for standard braided rope:
http://www.animatedknots.com/sailmakers/

Back Splice:
http://www.animatedknots.com/backsp...ge=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Bind it with standard whip techniques then coat it as Del_ mentioned above.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Whip it,,whip it real good,,,
Jeff

 

[Philbert]

Anybody dip the ends in liquid electrical tape?

Old school on manila ropes was to whip the ends, then varnish the whipping.

I have used clear nail polish on shoe laces!

Philbert

 

[Magnum783]

I posted this up the other day and long behold I have a new a hank of rope on my front door that eve from tree stuff and the end of it had what looked to be shrink wrap on the end. It was some super thick type stuff and looked like it work quite slick and hang up well but time will only tell.

 

[crotchclimber]

electrical heat shrink tubing. Not permanent, comes off after a few weeks on my climbing rope, but is easy to replace and isn't bulky. I use a paint stripping heat gun to shrink it.

 

[ATH]

I do all 3:
Melt the end.
Whip it.
Heat shrink tubing. Don't know if Wesspur's is different than what you get at the hardware store (seems a little thicker), but that is what I use. As stated above, it does not last real long, but cheap and easy to do again.

 

[Philbert]

3M (and other companies?) make a wide variety of heat shrink products, including different colors, diameters, wall thicknesses, etc. One of the versions came coated with hot melt glue on the inside - once you melted it in place, it stuck. Intended for insulating higher voltage transmission lines, or underground wires, or something. Not sure what diameters or colors in comes in. You would have to source it from an electrical supply place.

We used to color code ropes using electrical tape for our challenge course when I worked at a camp many years ago. I also recall guys using white heat shrink, marking that with a Sharpie, then covering it with clear heat shrink to mark ropes. Don't know how long those lasted. But some companies are now placing RFID tags (about the size of a grain of rice) in their fabric crane sleeves to track usage. Probably overkill for a single crew, but could be an idea for a larger company.

Philbert

 

[Raganr]

Good question. I bought some bulk 8 ocean polyester and the ends don't look neat. Stuff is pretty tough to cut cleanly. Best luck I had was melting the ends/out sheath on the red hot grate in y fireplace.

My next order from tress stuff will include whipping thread/tools and the hot glue heat shrink.

 

[Magnum783]

Does treestuff have the heat shrink tube?

 

[Philbert]

Does treestuff have the heat shrink tube?

He should!

Here is an old package I have - a little small at 0.4" diameter, but a starting point. 3M makes gazillions of different products, sizes, colors, etc., but this may help if you contact a 3M electrical products or automotive products dealer.

For example: Grainger items: 30N552, 30N549, 30N553, 30N550. Other vendors or brands may be available.


Philbert

 

[imagineero]

nylon/polyester I use a hot knife like they do in the shops. You can make one easy, just use an old hobby knife/razor blade. Heat it up till it glows red over a gas stove or blowtorch. Cut the rope. Does a great job and seals as you go. I cut my climb lines at a taper to make them easier to insert into devices. You can also repair cut strands that are freying mid rope with the same technique. Get a hot knife, touch the severed strand to quickly melt it, then smear it while still hot and it disappears.

For high temp ropes I bind tightly with electrical tape, cut with a razor blade very neatly just inside the tape, then dip in super glue.

 

[Magnum783]

Thanks guys I order some from tree stuff if that don't work the msc rep comes here were I work weekly so that shouldn't be a prob that way. Never thought of going that route