making your own synthetic winch line?

[83 chif]

someone i breifly talked to said you can buy synnthetic winchline made for other applications for a couple bucks a foot, and just loop the end yourself to place a d-ring in. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[vtcruiser60]

Yes it can be done, but do it carefully. I read enough stories about crappy line and very dangerous line breaks to really do my homework when attempting this myself. I sourced some purported synthetic line in bulk. I triple checked the 12 strand braids, then did my homework about proper back splicing. Instead of purchasing a fid from a vendor or marine shop, I just used a sawed off knitting needle. Many line vendors have their preferred techniques for splicing line and mounting a thimble or eyelet. These techniques vary but are online in several places. In all it was not technically hard to do, but take your time or realize that it may be safer and easier in the long run to purchase a complete line from a vendor. Good luck.

 

[Bogo]

I'd suggest practicing on a similar style of rope a few times before doing the splice for the winch line. You could also buy some extra length and practice on that. One advantage of doing it yourself is if the line breaks in the field you can splice it yourself. A good nautical book of knots should have good descriptions of how to make eyes and splices in ropes. I remember one of the line manufacturers had descriptions on how to do the splicing and eyes on the web for their line. Get the manufacturer's recommendations. If they say to stitch the joint, do it. They know their line and it's properties. They should tell you what types of splice joints will work and how long to overlap them. If the manufacturer isn't willing to tell you that info, skip them and find a different one.

 

[83 chif]

hmm

i figure it would be a good thing to know how to do, so it might be worth it. I've got my steel cable for now, so I won't rush it. I've been looking at amsteel blue 12 strand line. 5/16ths line for 1.50 a foot. I figure I'll just grab 100 feet as I'll be happy with around 75 feet of line and could use the extra to practice with. thanks for the advice and suggestions.

 

[e9999]

I asked about splicing a while back in a thread , good info in there

 

[firebox40dash5]

I made my own extension line with 3/8" Amsteel Blue from a marine supply house ($1.80 a foot) and tube thimbles from Masterpull. I followed Amsteel's splicing instructions, though I used a ballpoint pen instead of a fid. The only thing I changed was rather than just leaving the dead end in the middle of the rope, I brought it out of the weave, then back in a few strands later, like doing a linear splice.

It saved me a pretty good bit over a normal extension, and has tube thimbles and a Gunnebo safety hook, instead of stainless thimbles and a regular hook.

 

[cartercd]

Ditto on getting the Amsteel Blue from a marine supplier. Attached are splicing instructions, lockstitch instructions, and a catalog for Sampson Rope, which makes Amsteel Blue. Reading the entire catalog and you will learn a lot about rope, working load limits, safety precautions, etc. The splicing is not difficult at all. Additionally, you can go to a hydraulic shop and buy hydraulic hose chafe guard by the foot. This can be used on the drum end to protect the rope from winch heat and on the hook end to prevent abrasion.

 

[firebox40dash5]

For those not near a coast, here is the shop I got mine from, the Astoria location stocks various sizes of Amsteel, regular and Blue varieties. I'd imagine they'd be OK with phone orders.

I used 1" tubular nylon webbing for my heat/chafe guards. I got a bunch of it off ebay, so if anyone needs a few feet, drop me a PM and I can send a little to you cheap.