Small stuff

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Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Today we have had two good threads concerning line handling and treatment. I think that this is a good time to share this; When I need some small twine for any of the many reasons that call for it on a boat, I find that waxed nylon three ply masons cord serves me well. It is available in hardware stores everywhere in sizes #15, 18, 36. I melt some beeswax with a little pine tar, put the tube of string in the oven on some Aluminum foil on some newspaper and pour a little melted wax on it. The oven temp is kept at about 250 degrees, no hotter, and I watch to see if the wax all soaks into the string and add a little until the core tube is well waxed. Then I allow it to cool and it is ready for use. When I need very small stuff I cut a length and unlay it and just use one strand. It doesn't tend to slip like the unwaxed string will and it stays together and isn't prone to fraying.
 
C

Capt Ron;-)

Small 'mouse' stuff

If'n ya ain't lazy like me, use 'small-stuff' to mouse down a line ya don't want loose. It works like a case-hardened-lock!
 
Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
While....

there is probably a "satisfaction factor" in sort of making your own whipping thread the way Ross describes, why not just buy the stuff already waxed? It's cheap and available everywhere. For example, a few years ago I bought one of those hand-stitching tools (a very handy and useful device for repair work). It came with a roll of 500 yrds of the most wonderful and strong waxed twine. I use this stuff for repair work and whipping. 500 yards of this stuff with last me a coupla lifetimes....
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Pete, that's great if

one size fits all for you.
 
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