• Ships of Scale has incorportated an extra level of security when you log In. Please follow on-screen prompts to acknowledge that you are not a robot via a "Check Box" or a "Pictorial Check Box Puzzle". This is needed due to higher level of AI Activity Security.
  • SUBSCRIBE TO SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL BE July/August 2026
  • Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.

Question RE Making your own rigging rope

Well, there is the thread counter, a loupe for - who might have guessed - counting threads in woven fabric.
IMG_20260912_130235_019.jpgIMG_20260912_130206_790.jpg
This one I inherited from my grandmother who was a master tailor. The square opening measures 30mm X 30mm, so one can count the threads within the square (or half of it, there are small incised markings on the centres of the sides) and divide 30mm (or 15mm) by that number to get the diameter of a single thread.
 
I made a ropewalk machine with a software that evaluates the final diameter and the correct recipe to obtain it. I did a relevant number of tests with different threads ( cotton, E-Gutermann and others) and I generated an approximation function to obtain a result for every diameter from 0.2 to more than 2mm.
You can see it working on YouTube:
 
great smart ropewalk machine.
Is there a feature to update your database for new conditions?
I am modifying a planetary ropewalk machine that I purchased. All that fantastic work you did for yours, I have to do on paper. Recipes will have to be stored in a spreadsheet and control parameters will all be manually controled.
 
Last edited:
I made a ropewalk machine with a software that evaluates the final diameter and the correct recipe to obtain it. I did a relevant number of tests with different threads ( cotton, E-Gutermann and others) and I generated an approximation function to obtain a result for every diameter from 0.2 to more than 2mm.
You can see it working on YouTube:
Wow. This is amazing. This project is a hobby in itself. You for sure always have what to get to be busy with.
 
great smart ropewalk machine.
Is there a feature to update your database for new conditions?
I am modifying a planetary ropewalk machine that I purchased. All that fantastic work you did for yours, I have to do on paper. Recipes will have to be stored in a spreadsheet and control parameters will all be manually controled.
Not sure what you mean with new conditions, the database is only containing all the diameters of real riggings. The rope recipes are created by my algorithm. You chang the inputs, it gives you the recipe to make that rope.
 
Back
Top