braiding Dyneema cord

Commercially manufacturing rope, i.e. very long lengths, uses sophisticated machines with the component strands held on bobbins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD8U698yYRU (skip to ~1:40)

You may be able to combine this notion of bobbins with your current (hand?) technique.

Google "Furled Lines" and enjoy the rabbit hole.

For 50 to 100ft lengths you'd need a lot of space unless you hand twisted. But there are forums out there where people have made all sorts of rigs for straight and tapered leader lines for fishing. If you can get one of those conair electric hair braiders, you take off the end and attach it to a drill. Set up some pegs and counterweights and you should be good to go.

Alternatively there should be plenty of braided dyneema and spectra cord for fishing applications that can be used for fairly thin applications. What diameter are you looking for? I know there's a 5mm titan cord from bluewater up to at least 50m, although it's pricey.

The video of the commercial mill is scary. That's not what I am trying to do. Nor am I trying to make fishing lines a foot or two feet long. I could braid fifty or a hundred feet by hand, but it would not be tight or consistent.

–B.G.–

Easier to make standard spiral rope.

Pull out 50 or 100 foot length of each strand. Twist each strand. Release and it naturally forms a rope. I made a mechanism that did that a long time ago. Each strand just has to rotate, rather than that complicated motion.

Jerry, that is the same as what used to be called a laid rope. That has no braiding in it. I'm looking for a practical way of braiding together three to five strands of thin cord.

–B.G.–

yeah, I know, just throwing out there what's easy

If it were easy, then just anybody could do it.

–B.G.–

For me personally, I think one of my concerns using a traditional braid for 50' of line is the hassle of keeping the working ends of the line from getting tangled. As someone above mentioned, I supposed feeding the 3-5 lines onto bobbins would probably help with this.

If I were to try and take this on, I'd probably do it one of two ways:

Two person option:

Tie the strands off to an anchor point outside. Tie loops at the working ends of each strand and rig something up with 1" wide 3" long dowels and tea cup hooks to use as handles to help keep the lines tight.

Person two will use something like a pencil as a shuttle to help keep the braid dressed and tight as you work.

It's fairly easy for me to recruit an assistant as I have kids at home/indentured servants. I suspect a NY Strip may help recruit an assistant.

Solo option:

Australian braid http://www.animatedknots.com/australian/

If Bob says, "The video of the commercial mill is scary" I know I have to pay attention! That video left me feeling empty and small.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Hand-Crank-Rope-Maker-Machine-Grand-Portage-Co-advertising-/400719764689?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d4cc25cd1

I can't tell if this twists or braids… probably just twists.

edit: this is what you want: http://www.google.com/patents/US1565990

McMaster sells braided spectra rope in diameters ranging from 1/4" to 1/2" for between $1.46 and $4.77 per foot. They offer braided spectra core rope with outer UV resistant polyester cover for about the same price but half the strength.

I'm sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

Is there a specific application in mind?

You should also be aware that this stuff has very low friction, so traditional knots may be a problem. Sounds like you're counting on using this stuff for some pretty serious loads! Also the limited or non existent stretch of this stuff should be taken into consideration especially if there are shock loads.

I have lot of some very thin Dyneema stuff that cost me less than one cent per foot, but it has only a 100 pound rating. I was thinking that three or five strands of it, suitably braided together, ought to get me a 200 pound rating or higher, and the finished combination would still be hugely lighter and cheaper than a commercial cord. However, I don't intend to purchase machinery to do it.

–B.G.–

crochet would be fast and easy. No idea how strong it would be.

Sharon, can that be done for fifty or a hundred feet?

–B.G.–

"Is there any practical way to braid together three or five strands over a length of fifty or a hundred feet?"

Is this just "challenge" exercise?

Because there is plenty of braided Dyneema in just about any strength on eBay in 100 meter spools, for a whopping $3-$4 bucks.

It is a challenge, only for me.

I want the finished cord for only a single event that might last only a couple of hours, so I didn't intend to invest money in it.

I figure that I can braid three strands sloppily, but the trick is in getting the braid to be tight and consistent. I could do it better if I had three hand, but that isn't going to happen.

Right now I am thinking that I have a spring clamp to move along behind the working point as I braid. That might help to keep it tight.

–B.G.–

"I have lot of some very thin Dyneema stuff that cost me less than one cent per foot, but it has only a 100 pound rating. I was thinking that three or five strands of it, suitably braided together, ought to get me a 200 pound rating or higher, and the finished combination would still be hugely lighter and cheaper than a commercial cord. However, I don't intend to purchase machinery to do it."

Just make traditional 3 strand twisted rope and melt and knot the ends to secure. Boy Scouts can show you how to make a rope machine.

Anyway, what are you doing that needs 200 lb cord? Sil and cuben fabric tears at less than half that.

"Boy Scouts can show you how to make a rope machine."

That's what I did – 40+ years ago

"That's what I did – 40+ years ago"

I seriously doubt that you had Dyneema cord back then.

–B.G.–

We had this at boy scout camp. Used it while i taught some merit badges. I believe Pioneering. would this work?

I don't see how a rope machine will get this braided. If I wanted a laid rope for this, I have several.

–B.G.–

Bob, what might be simpler is to go to your nearest JoAnn Fabrics or yarn store, and look for yarn bobbins:

These are used for intarsia knitting, and are large enough to handle large amounts of thread. There several different types, including some that are covered, which if your thread is thinner might work better for you:

Hope that helps.

A yarn bobbin? That's something new to me.

I have concluded that something like three bobbins are necessary.

–B.G.–