Has anybody thought of making cordage out of..

P

Plainsman

Joined
Apr 5, 1999
Messages
1,160
PLASTIC!! My wife just walked in with a plastic glass and I thought, "I could cut it in spirals from the top and have a long length of cordage."

How about other items? Maybe an aluminum pop can, or plastic sheeting (heavy plastic like a garbage CAN not bag)?

What do you think? I'll have to experiment.
smile.gif




------------------
Plainsman :)
primitiveguy@hotmail.com


 
Hi Plainsman,

Good idea!
I never tried it here in the US but old European plastic straws (around 25cm for sodas) could be stretched to around 1m cords, thin and strong. I did a lot when was kid. It did not need any twisting or braiding , it was ready to use.
In general, I would try something thinner then a plastic regular 2l soda bottle. Try cut-up plastic shopping bags (the handle for example) twisted tight into a cord. Stretch it until gets thinner and test how strong it is. Not bad. You can try it with different materials and bags.
Have you tried the soda bottles?

Regards,

HM
 
OK Plainsman,

I just got back from the kitchen and experiment done:

brown (thin wall) garbage bag makes acceptable twisted cord too!!!

Here is the know-how:

1) Cut up into ~10 cm wide stripes. If you go in a spiral, it will give one long cord.

2) Fold it into half (~5 cm wide) and again into half. Twist it into a TIGHT cord. Do consistently throughout its length as much as possible to avoid local weak spots that will lower (and determine its strength).

3) As it is twisted in one section (~20-30 cm), try to start pulling it slowly with consistent pull until you need much more power to stretch it further. Stop here before you (if you can) tear it.

4) Stretching makes it thinner, more packed and longer (all welcome!).

5) If still not happy, braid or twist few together for stronger rope.

Actually, if you dissect some of the commercial ropes, they are twisted plastic stripes.

Happy experimentation!

HM

 
the heavy plastic may be strong enough on its own...? The purpose of cordage is to make cord that has enough stength to do its intended job (from smaller and not strong enough material).

I think the plastic bag trick is a great idea. I think the heavy heavy plastic and tin would be hard to work with...

Anyone else?

good thought provoking question, plainsman.

------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
I knew some people would be able to take this question and RUN with it!
smile.gif
I seriously didn't think the garbage/grocery bag would be strong enough, but after that description, DUH! We can carry canned goods in them so, of course!

I agree on the garbage can being heavy, Greg. A strip that isn't TOO long could definitely hold something together by itself. I wonder how long of strip one could get? The key to keeping the strength up would be a CONSISTENT WIDTH! Just like leather, a narrow spot will be the WEAK spot.

Maybe something lighter would definitely be better for braiding. HM's 2 l bottles are the ticket in thickness I do believe.

The direction I was thinking on the aluminum can, was snares. A strip of aluminum MAY act more like wire...Don't know for sure, I'm just running it through my head, I'll have to experiment!
smile.gif


I'll have to try HM's methods above!!

Thanks!


------------------
Plainsman :)
primitiveguy@hotmail.com


 
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