ropes

Discussion:

ropes

(too old to reply)

bill

2011-02-22 13:31:16 UTC

I'm buying new rope for pioneering. I'm not happy about the idea of
manmade for things like foot ropes for monkey bridges, but many people
tell me that manmade is better than sisal/hemp.

Does anyone have an opinion, please?

TIA

AndyW

2011-02-22 13:46:09 UTC

Permalink

Post by bill
I'm buying new rope for pioneering. I'm not happy about the idea of
manmade for things like foot ropes for monkey bridges, but many people
tell me that manmade is better than sisal/hemp.
Does anyone have an opinion, please?

Man made does not rot but it can (depending on type) stretch with makes it
of limited use in a situation where a rigid rope is required.
Natural fibre ropes generally do not stretch but it will rot with time, in
addition it can contract with dampness and so it is possible for a well
tensioned rope to damage itself when wet. Rotting is unlikely to be an issue
with a bridge unless it is to be in place for a long time.

If you can get hold of a non-stretchy man made rope then I would go with
that.

Andy

Brian Smith

2011-02-22 17:59:58 UTC

Permalink

In message

I go for natural fibres every time.
~ It has greater rope-to-rope friction so less inclined to slip or
loosen.
~ It is stronger than the cheap polypropylene rope (the blue stuff),
which tend to fray easily.
~ It smells like rope!

Manmade fibre rope:
~ Tends to be more slippery.
~ It *can* be stronger than natural fibre - but this is the
comparatively pricey stuff.
~ If rope runs across rope, the heat generated by the friction can melt
it.

I think it's sole advantage is that it floats - not a major
consideration if you're pioneering.

Natural fibre is best hung up somewhere dry so that it does not rot, and
you need to check the *inside* of the rope from time to time to make
sure it hasn't deteriorated. Looked after (as you would do with any
equipment) it will last for many years of normal use.

Look around - for instance on
http://www.canvastentshop.co.uk/index.php?page=0&act=viewCat&catId=14
and check the prices of sisal and polyprop. The latter is cheaper but
will quickly fray/come apart - the sisal will outlast it easily if the
ends are whipped properly.

Just had a look at:
http://www.cheap-rope.co.uk/productlist.asp?sectionID=10&ProductCategoryI
D=23

8mm manila rope at £44.50 - seems like a bargain.

(Remember that if you are talking metric, the figures refer to the
diameter. If the figures are in inches, this normally means the
circumference). I use 8mm for the lashing ropes in pioneering.

Personally, I would much prefer the hemp or sisal. It's a good plan to
pre-stretch it before cutting to the lengths that you require - tie a
section between trees (protecting the trees with sacking or similar) and
get a few Scouts to push against the centre of the rope. Move it along
and repeat.

Those are my thoughts for what they're worth.

--
Brian Smith
Group Scout Leader
www.8thmuswellhill.org.uk

Ewan Scott

2011-02-23 09:25:27 UTC

Permalink

FWIW,

Man made hawser is ultimately safer in our environment where it may be
abused, left damp, unused for extended periods.

It is hardly slippery. It is actually pretty coarse. Actually so course that
we often struggle to get even the basic of knots out of the hawser.

So, it stretches. You simply tighten the block and tackle from time to time.

I only use natural fibre for lashings though.

Ewan Scott

Post by Brian Smith
In message

I go for natural fibres every time.
~ It has greater rope-to-rope friction so less inclined to slip or loosen.
~ It is stronger than the cheap polypropylene rope (the blue stuff),
which tend to fray easily.
~ It smells like rope!
~ Tends to be more slippery.
~ It *can* be stronger than natural fibre - but this is the comparatively
pricey stuff.
~ If rope runs across rope, the heat generated by the friction can melt
it.
I think it's sole advantage is that it floats - not a major consideration
if you're pioneering.
Natural fibre is best hung up somewhere dry so that it does not rot, and
you need to check the *inside* of the rope from time to time to make sure
it hasn't deteriorated. Looked after (as you would do with any equipment)
it will last for many years of normal use.
Look around - for instance on
http://www.canvastentshop.co.uk/index.php?page=0&act=viewCat&catId=14
and check the prices of sisal and polyprop. The latter is cheaper but will
quickly fray/come apart - the sisal will outlast it easily if the ends are
whipped properly.
http://www.cheap-rope.co.uk/productlist.asp?sectionID=10&ProductCategoryI
D=23
8mm manila rope at £44.50 - seems like a bargain.
(Remember that if you are talking metric, the figures refer to the
diameter. If the figures are in inches, this normally means the
circumference). I use 8mm for the lashing ropes in pioneering.
Personally, I would much prefer the hemp or sisal. It's a good plan to
pre-stretch it before cutting to the lengths that you require - tie a
section between trees (protecting the trees with sacking or similar) and
get a few Scouts to push against the centre of the rope. Move it along and
repeat.
Those are my thoughts for what they're worth.
--
Brian Smith
Group Scout Leader
www.8thmuswellhill.org.uk

bill

2011-02-25 07:38:41 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ewan Scott
FWIW,
Man made hawser is ultimately safer in our environment where it may be
abused, left damp, unused for extended periods.
It is hardly slippery. It is actually pretty coarse. Actually so course that
we often struggle to get even the basic of knots out of the hawser.
So, it stretches. You simply tighten the block and tackle from time to time.
I only use natural fibre for lashings though.
Ewan Scott

Post by Brian Smith
In message

I go for natural fibres every time.
~ It has greater rope-to-rope friction so less inclined to slip or loosen.
~ It is stronger than the cheap polypropylene rope (the blue stuff),
which tend to fray easily.
~ It smells like rope!
~ Tends to be more slippery.
~ It *can* be stronger than natural fibre - but this is the comparatively
pricey stuff.
~ If rope runs across rope, the heat generated by the friction can melt
it.
I think it's sole advantage is that it floats - not a major consideration
if you're pioneering.
Natural fibre is best hung up somewhere dry so that it does not rot, and
you need to check the *inside* of the rope from time to time to make sure
it hasn't deteriorated. Looked after (as you would do with any equipment)
it will last for many years of normal use.
Look around - for instance on
http://www.canvastentshop.co.uk/index.php?page=0&act=viewCat&catId=14
and check the prices of sisal and polyprop. The latter is cheaper but will
quickly fray/come apart - the sisal will outlast it easily if the ends are
whipped properly.
http://www.cheap-rope.co.uk/productlist.asp?sectionID=10&ProductCateg...
D=23
8mm manila rope at 44.50 - seems like a bargain.
(Remember that if you are talking metric, the figures refer to the
diameter. If the figures are in inches, this normally means the
circumference). I use 8mm for the lashing ropes in pioneering.
Personally, I would much prefer the hemp or sisal. It's a good plan to
pre-stretch it before cutting to the lengths that you require - tie a
section between trees (protecting the trees with sacking or similar) and
get a few Scouts to push against the centre of the rope. Move it along and
repeat.
Those are my thoughts for what they're worth.
--
Brian Smith
Group Scout Leader
www.8thmuswellhill.org.uk

Thanks, all

I was of Brian's mind, but will take a look at what mm rope is like.
We have already bought sisal lashings- its the 1 inch stuff I'm
wanting to go for now. Might even get 30 metres of hemp and mm hemp to
compare

Bill

Ewan Scott

2011-02-27 18:26:09 UTC

Permalink

Post by Brian Smith
In message

I go for natural fibres every time.
~ It has greater rope-to-rope friction so less inclined to slip or loosen.
~ It is stronger than the cheap polypropylene rope (the blue stuff),
which tend to fray easily.
~ It smells like rope!
~ Tends to be more slippery.
~ It *can* be stronger than natural fibre - but this is the
comparatively
pricey stuff.
~ If rope runs across rope, the heat generated by the friction can melt
it.
I think it's sole advantage is that it floats - not a major
consideration
if you're pioneering.
Natural fibre is best hung up somewhere dry so that it does not rot, and
you need to check the *inside* of the rope from time to time to make sure
it hasn't deteriorated. Looked after (as you would do with any equipment)
it will last for many years of normal use.
Look around - for instance on
http://www.canvastentshop.co.uk/index.php?page=0&act=viewCat&catId=14
and check the prices of sisal and polyprop. The latter is cheaper but will
quickly fray/come apart - the sisal will outlast it easily if the ends are
whipped properly.
http://www.cheap-rope.co.uk/productlist.asp?sectionID=10&ProductCateg...
D=23
8mm manila rope at 44.50 - seems like a bargain.
(Remember that if you are talking metric, the figures refer to the
diameter. If the figures are in inches, this normally means the
circumference). I use 8mm for the lashing ropes in pioneering.
Personally, I would much prefer the hemp or sisal. It's a good plan to
pre-stretch it before cutting to the lengths that you require - tie a
section between trees (protecting the trees with sacking or similar) and
get a few Scouts to push against the centre of the rope. Move it along and
repeat.
Those are my thoughts for what they're worth.
--
Brian Smith
Group Scout Leader
www.8thmuswellhill.org.uk