Author Topic: Where to buy basic equipment  (Read 12192 times)

windyrider

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Where to buy basic equipment
« on: March 20, 2011, 11:11:15 AM »
Hello everybody,  just getting started into the world of knots and splicing and would appreciated any advice on what equipment re splicing tools etc would be good as a starter and just where to get them.  I'm based in France but travel regularly to the UK.  Thanks for your input.
?When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.?

Wed

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2011, 01:39:29 PM »
Add to your toolbox what you find as you go. A screwdriver works to pry the parts apart for splicing. No need to overdo it in the first go. The barrel of a pen suits great as a threading needle for example.

windyrider

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2011, 03:24:53 PM »
Thanks for that, would not have thought of using the barrel of an old pen ::)
?When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.?

Wed

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2011, 04:07:12 PM »
A Swedish fid is the only special tool I have. I don't need it often. Apart from that, some pliers, a cutter, lighter extra needles. Something to prick and poke with is good. But it really isn't that complicated. No doubt many master tyers have accumulated loads of tools over the years. I'm only on my fifth year.

My cutter is special though as it is made for electronics. It has only one edge, that is to say, the bottom surface is all flat. If you get the cut close to the joint or edge, no snub remains

Foam pipe insulation can be found at home improvement stores, around the plumbing section. I usually measure the circumference and make a printout from a CAD program (QCad).

You are likely to develop your own methods, tool setup and find favourite materials.

Edit: I forgot to mention needles, dental floss and glue (cyanoacrylate)
« Last Edit: March 20, 2011, 04:12:06 PM by Wed »

Fairlead

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2011, 04:31:02 PM »
Hi Windyrider,
Your best bet is to go to the IGKT France meeting in Dunkirk at the end of the month - you will get to see what people use and there maybe someone there selling tools.
Among my favourites are a pair of artery forceps (haemopstats) - the type that the handles lock together and a variety of home made wire loops (especially for splicing braided ropes).  A Swedish fid or Gripfid for smaller work, a good sharp knife and a butane gas lighter are good tools to buy for a start.
Regret that my current medical treatment prevents me from going to Dunkirk, but I will be there in spirit.

Gordon

windyrider

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2011, 05:09:05 PM »
Hi Windyrider,
Your best bet is to go to the IGKT France meeting in Dunkirk at the end of the month - you will get to see what people use and there maybe someone there selling tools.
Among my favourites are a pair of artery forceps (haemopstats) - the type that the handles lock together and a variety of home made wire loops (especially for splicing braided ropes).  A Swedish fid or Gripfid for smaller work, a good sharp knife and a butane gas lighter are good tools to buy for a start.
Regret that my current medical treatment prevents me from going to Dunkirk, but I will be there in spirit.

Gordon
 Thanks for your input, unfortunately I can not get up to Dunkirk at the end of the month, work and finances will not allow, bit of a bummer really as I'm sure it would be a great chance as you say to see what other people have in their tool box and maybe make some good contacts.  Any one attending who lives in Brittany I would like to hear from you!!! Trying to learn everything out of books without a practical demo is a little frustrating.  :'(

   
?When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.?

JD

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2011, 08:49:46 AM »
You might also want to take a look at this post about tools http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=1910.0

Lasse_C

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2011, 10:22:11 PM »
Actually, if you ask me, the real question is perhaps not so much where to get the tools as when!
My answer to that, after some 4 decades of knotting, is: If and when you need them.

Would have saved me plenty of wasted money & time if  had known that from the start.
On the other hand, I had a lot of fun and learned a lot from the tools I made or modified but seldom or never used...  ;D

Lasse C

KenY

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2011, 11:50:38 AM »
Hi Windyrider,
Lasse c has a point, often one tool will do many tasks.

I remember watching the fishermen at night when at anchor, one man had every type of rod and gadget possible,including a hat and special glasses, he never got one fish. Yet next to him was a man from the engineroom,who popped up for a 10 min fresh air break, hand line only  with one hook, and the fish stood in line to be caught. So keep it simple.

I shall be attending the Dunkirk meeting, I shall meet the Hon Sec IGKT France and point out your post.

I note you come over to the UK, if the port you come into is Portsmouth, the Solent Branch  meet in Fareham ,and our next meeting is April 12th, you will be welcome.  Johnny Dept, start working on your diary/appointments.

yours Aye

Ken.

JD

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2011, 12:06:16 PM »
I love my tools, as much as I enjoy knotting!! The thing is, It thought I could not knot until I had the right tools. I think I went a little over the top and purchased the best that I could. I scoured e-Bay on a regular basis, even had some tools made in the States by Pj.

When it boils down to it, most of the tools are for show. Out of the whole set of tools I only use two on a very regular basis; my knife and a stainless fid with three flats shaped at the tip.

KenY Stokers will always catch the fish, all you need is a bit of string a hook and a wheel spanner to beat the thing when you catch it!!

Hope to see you again at the next meeting.

Transminator

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2011, 03:58:27 PM »
The only special tool I use is a self-threading needle, which I don't want to miss anymore. Tying LLKs without it would be next to impossible.

Apart from that, 99% of the work is done with these basic tools:
1. needle nose pliers (can also be used similar to a swedish fid when pushing it through the knot/structure and opening it slightly)
2. nail scissors / knife
3. lighter
4. folding ruler
5. selo tape (for ends)
6. strings (constrictor knots)

All these items are easily found.

« Last Edit: March 22, 2011, 04:01:59 PM by Transminator »

skyout

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2011, 11:11:28 PM »
A lot of good info on what tools to aquire here:
http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=1422.msg9814;topicseen#msg9814
I especially liked Lasse's advice:
My recommendation is to get a toolbox (at least) one size bigger than you expect to need, and get or make the tools when you need them. That is what I have been doing for the last nearly 4 decades. In the beginning I tried to aquire all tools I could get my hands on, more or less, but found that some of them were actually never used. Oh, by the way: I have outgrown the toolbox a couple of times, but the one I have now has worked for 12 years or so, so it seems to have stabilized.

Good info here if you haven't seen it yet:
http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=977.0

There are several threads on where to aquire marlinspikes, if you do a search they should pop up. Here's one of them.
http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=1139.0
PJ's spikes at www.KHWW.net are great.

Hope this helps.
« Last Edit: March 22, 2011, 11:15:58 PM by skyout »

[Inkanyezi] gone

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2011, 11:21:20 PM »
I worked as rigger for a few years, and I made most of my own tools. As an example, the "Swedish fid" that is sold will not work well for doing tailsplices, so I made my own from a piece of stainless steel tube, actually a bent manrope stanchion that had been discarded. I cut it at an angle, to make two fids, which I polished so they would not snag. The knob at the end is one of the plastic beads used for spinnaker halyards to protect the swage from being caught in the block. I just heated the end of the fid with a blowtorch and pressed it into the bead.

The spike is used for splicing wire rope, and those that are sold are too large for the thin wire used on pleasure craft. I made my own spikes, one from a screwdriver and another from a round file. The diameter of the spike should not be much larger than a strand of the wire rope. I also made piano wire loops in various sizes for splicing double braid and Marlow braid rope.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2011, 11:26:33 PM by Inkanyezi »
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windyrider

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2011, 05:39:01 PM »
Been away for a few days but just to say a big thank you for all the input.  Just need to work my way through it all  ;D

I have decided not to rush into getting equipment rather do it the other way around get the gear when the need arises.

Once again thanks


 
?When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.?

mysticknotwork

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Re: Where to buy basic equipment
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2011, 11:27:10 PM »
I have 3 tools that are my turn to tools:

1.  Curved packing needle -gives a good bit of leverage and very comfortable in hand
2.  Fiskars garden nippers -very sharp small scissors
3.  T-pins (and a board made from gypsum board and duct tape to stick 'em in)

These make what I need made for me, but then I only tie a few things, just by the thousands

Matt
been knotworking since before I could ride a bike, but still can't get it right.

Matt @
www.mysticknotwork.com

 

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