Rope making machine for ship modeling.

[myavid76]

I used a Kitchen Aid mix master motor Its 10 speed and low rpm with lots of tourk. the only parts I purchased were two sprockets, the rest was stuff from around the shop. The main shaft was from a paper towl holder. For the planitary system I used a 4 in. hard rubber weel from a Westinghouse elevator counterweight roller guide. As a elevator mechanic I come across alot of stuff that can be repurposed. Around the roller are four pieces of 3/4 in. tubing that fit snugley inside a piece of 6 in. pvc coupling. Thay are held in place by two pieces of hard board that are drilled out to freely rotate and are held to each other with some pieces of dowl. the machine is making rope in the viedo and can also make cable by using the spools at the back of the machine for a core in the rope.

[Drew1966]

What are the turning ratios please?

[myavid76]

Well with a 4 in. roller and 3/4 in. tubes around that I figured it to be 5 and 1/3 revolutions of the spools for one revolution of the main roller. but I just ran the machine and counted and found that the spools rotate about six times for each complete revolution. in other words the three threads are twisted six thmes for each complete lay of the rope. I hope that answers your question. Dave.

[NortonDommi]

I like knots and good cordage is a loverly thing to use. I've made different sorts of cord and rope manually and with simple aids and think your machine is fantasic.

[myavid76]

Thanks for the nice comment.

[DIYer]

Thanks myavid76! We've added your Rope Making Machine to our Model Making category,
as well as to your builder page: myavid76's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Rope Making Machine by myavid76

tags: motor

[DIYer]

As one who made a few model ships in my youth, your creation is fantastic!

[olderdan]

Simply brilliant design made with basic materials. your video of it action is mesmerizing, watched it four times already.
As I know nothing of this process what is the raw material and does the rope get treated with anything afterwards.

[myavid76]

Simply brilliant design made with basic materials. your video of it action is mesmerizing, watched it four times already.
As I know nothing of this process what is the raw material and does the rope get treated with anything afterwards.

I just used some cheap thread from China that I got from the web. After I run off about ten feet or so I remove it from the machine and let it relax then treat it with beeswax before use. Most of the rope I use came from the ship modle kit but I always seem to need more.

[PJs]

Definitely a brilliant design and had to watch it multiple times myself. The pic below really shows the quality of your product. I like that you created a take-off from the motor shaft to drive the winder with a flex head, Excellent! Looks to me like you could do up to a 4/3 rope or cable? I take it the paper towel holder shaft is hollow so you can feed a core thru to the bundle? How heavy of thread or wire can it handle? Sorry for all the question but fascinate by the design!

Thanks for sharing this fabulous build!

PJ