Paul Nixon's Rope Making Machine

A simply constructed but effective machine for making your own ropes for use on model boats using garden string and similar threads. There is a description of the machine in the "Hints and Tips" section of the SRCMBC web site.

[captainprototype]

Yesterday was the very first time I saw on of these on yt. Then again, I had never been building a ship's model before. Very interesting.

[ImperialistRunningDo]

This is BRILLIANT. Oh, there are people out there who wonder what I will do with a skinny piece of rope about 6 feet long, and I have a one-word answer. "Bowstring." I'm building a longbow using only hand tools (coming along nicely, thank you) and just hand-tied my first Flemish twist bowstring.
The first time you make anything new, use as few tools as you can. Then you will grok what is needed. The second time, use as many as you can. Bowstrings go for about $10 (6 quid) a pop. You rock.

[srcmbc]

The equipment shown was only devised to make rope for model boats. Only a very short length was made for the demonstration, typically it is used for lengths of around 2m. Very much longer lengths would need a stronger and more powerful setup to provide the tension but real rope was made in a similar way; you can still find "Ropewalks" in towns like Southampton, long alleys where ship's ropes were made in the past.

[srcmbc]

Hi, the tension weight is simply hung on the end of the string that goes through the pulley. The weight is adjusted (by trial and error) depending on the diameter of the rope you are making. You might find the written article in the "Hints and Tips" section of the srcmbc web site useful.

[JavierBonillaC]

This is exactly how they made rope in Spain. It's in a video here in Youtube. I will try to find it and paste it here if I remember.

[gtalckmin]

Hello,
Have you ever tried using plastic bottle filaments (PET bottles)? There a few simple jigs to cut a bottle into a filament. It would be a great way of upcycling plastic bottles.

[mikeyjohnson]

Would it be worth it to implement some kind of lead screw to move the follower?

[bingobongo-ev]

Clearly this is a revolutionary device but if it's not a national secret, could you please show the inside of the mechanism.

[gonzaloalbertorodriguezg]

Please if Paul Nixon has a tutorial on how to make the machine step by step especially where the engine is embedded Tool. Thank you for your contribution.

[xJasbo]

is their a clip showing how the tension weight pulley is applied ?

[hopper]

Is there a limit on the length of rope you can make out of this or just put more distance between gears and pulley? Is there a way to make a rope an indefinite length with this method or one similar?

[salmonnortje]

Thanks for the great video. Could the same process be used to wind wire rope?

[ebivien]

how do i buy oneof you rope making machine