On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:50:50 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:09:23 GMT, "Dumbabouttaxes"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
. ..
On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:09:15 GMT, "Dumbabouttaxes"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
m...
On Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:45:19 GMT, "Dumbabouttaxes"
wrote:

I need some thimbles and clamps to make mooring lines with 3/4" nylon
rope.
They must exist, but I sure can't fine them.
Any leads would be appreciated.

West Marine

http://tinyurl.com/33vun5

http://tinyurl.com/3aq4um

Although you'd be better off splicing the line or purchasing prefab
sliced lines - clamps are just not cool.

Thanks, they have thimbles, but not clamps.
Clamps are ugly, but is there anything functionally wrong with them?

It's like anything - form follows function. With a clamp, you are
compressing the fibers to form griping strength. It's not
counter-intuitive that this compression can actually lead to
deformation of the fibers and the result is weakned line. Steel line
(or cable) clamping is an entirely different concept for a variety of
reasons. Clamping steel does not necessarily translate to clamping
fiber rope of any variety.

Splicing is the best way to do it with three/four strand nylon rope.
Even better is purchasing it pre-made because it's properly made and
tensioned.

Lastly, I don't use three strand nylon rope on my boats. I use
manufactured spliced braded rope - more strength, it looks great, you
can get it in a variety of color schemes and lengths.

However to each their own. Splicing three strand nylon is really
easy. Once you do a couple of practice splices, you'll get the idea
quickly and you would be surprised at how little time it takes to do
it properly. Probably as much time as placing the thimble and
clamping the rope. :)

I googled on it. While it looks tricky, I expect that once I figure it out
it should be easy enough. I will give it a try, thanks.

It's really not tricky at all.

To make it easier, color code the strands with permanent marker or
colored tape - that way you won't get confused.

This is a good explanation:

http://www.neropes.com/SPL_3StrandEyeSplice.aspx

Animated:

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Eye_splice.htm

Very nice. Thanks, Tom.
--
John *H*
(Not the other one!)