Lattice Boom Crane Build (Wood)

[Rvjimd]

TM,

Cable, very hot topic! I had some old cotton thread. It was a bit to thin to look good, and NOT very water proof or abrasion resistant. So I went to the fabric store and got two types of thread, neither of which are what I wanted.

Cotton embroidery thread looks perfect for size and multi stranded wire rope look, but it is also cotton and won't wear good.

The other stuff I got is nylon coat and button thread. I think it is just a bit to fine and doesn't show up as well as a larger fatter thread does.

So, if you have some ideas, let me hear it...

Jim

[Supermario]

Originally Posted by Rvjimd

TM,

Cable, very hot topic! I had some old cotton thread. It was a bit to thin to look good, and NOT very water proof or abrasion resistant. So I went to the fabric store and got two types of thread, neither of which are what I wanted.

Cotton embroidery thread looks perfect for size and multi stranded wire rope look, but it is also cotton and won't wear good.

The other stuff I got is nylon coat and button thread. I think it is just a bit to fine and doesn't show up as well as a larger fatter thread does.

So, if you have some ideas, let me hear it...

Jim

Hey Jim, just had a crazy thought....What about a couple strands of magnet wire wound together? It may spool up and reel out ok due to weight of bucket and boom? Maybe cook the coating off to improve how well it winds on the drum?
Like I say, crazy thought from out of now where.

Great build! Love it!

Mario

[Rvjimd]

Mario,

I have some on hand that I'll take a look at. I got a three pack and the small stuff is really thin! I think it is going to have too much memory and try to stay curved when it comes off the drums.

Problem with the clam operation is it is easy and pretty much a given that there is going to be slack line on one of the two main drums some of the time. This causes a lot of issues where the line comes off the tip pulley or the drum. I may add a few more guides like on the calming line pulley. And, I tried my second line, thin nylon, but it is too stiff. The embroidery thread actually worked better because it was very soft and flexible.

Still searching...

Jim

[Supermario]

Ya, I tested some wire after posting and realized nope. Crazy part of the idea was suggesting before testing...lol

So here's my REAL crazy idea.
We all know how strong spider silk is correct? You may have heard about this already but scientists have found a way to produce spider silk from a goat's milk! A female goat gets the gene that creates silk in spiders. The off spring of that goat then produces the enzyme which creates silk in it's milk which they extract and use to make super strong silk fibre!

So, ......looks like you need one of those magic goats!

Mario

[Rvjimd]

Well,

My neighbors have chickens, I wonder if they make rope for model cranes?



Jim

[Grainfarmer]

Whow! Great job! Works quite well...