There is nothing more frustrating than a piece of rope that is falling apart.This happens when you cut a rope since the individual fibers are free to separate.It is fairly easy to keep rope from fraying, but the optimal method depends on what type of rope you are working with.Synthetic materials can be exposed to heat.Natural fiber ropes can be wrapped with floss or twine.Scissors will cause fraying, so never use them to cut rope.
Step 1: A 2–4 in loop is created at the end of dental floss.
Pull out the floss.The floss is attached to the spool.The dental floss can be folded down to make a loop.Pinch the floss at the junction to hold it in place.There must be at least 4 inches of floss on the floss's working end.The main way to keep natural fiber ropes from unraveling is through the process of whipping a rope.It is possible to do this with synthetic ropes, but it is more work than simply burning the end.The tip of the floss is furthest from the spool.The length that is closest to the spool is the standing end.
Step 2: The working end of the rope should be held against the loop.
Place your large loop against the end of your rope.Make sure the loop is sticking out past the end of the rope.To hold it in place, use your thumb and index finger to pinch the loop against the rope.The loop is going to be pinched for the rest of the steps.Use your thumb and index finger to hold the loop in place.
Step 3: The dental floss should be wrapped around the bottom of the loop.
Pull the floss around the rope.Wrap it around the loop and the rope in the area closest to your nondominant hand.Floss should be kept as tight as possible.
Step 4: Wrap the floss around the rope.
Continue to wrap dental floss tightly around the loop and rope as needed.Work in parallel layers to get from the bottom of the loop to the top.
Step 5: Pull the floss out of the loop at the top.
At least 6 inches (15 cm) of floss remains if you tear the floss off the box.Carefully thread the standing end through the small portion of the whipping loop at the top after ripping it off.Pull it all the way through the loop to make sure it is tight.The more secure your rope is, the tighter the floss is.Don't rip the floss while you do this.
Step 6: There is a small amount of floss at the bottom.
There should be 4 inches of floss at the bottom of the whipping.Pull this length of floss down.There is a loop at the top of the rope.Pull the floss until the loop is in the middle of the wrapping.You can't see how far you're pulling the rope because it's underneath the wrapping.To keep it in the middle, pull the floss down to the size of your original loop.
Step 7: Attach the end of the floss with scissors.
The end of your rope is completely secure once the loop is tucked under the wrapping.The excess floss can be trimmed with a pair of scissors or a utility knife.You can always repeat this process if the whipping comes undone.
Step 8: Wrap the end of the rope with electrical tape.
The edge of the tape should be below the end of your line.Wrap the tape around the tip of the rope.Pull the tape and wrap it up until you reach 1–2 inches from the end.Pull the end of the tape against the rope if you rip it from the reel.Natural fibers burn when you heat them, so this process will work on any rope that isn't made out of natural fibers.It will probably work on cotton rope, which is coated in plastic to keep it from cracking.
Step 9: To trim the rope, cut through electrical tape and rope.
To cut through the electrical tape, use a utility knife.While bracing the standing end of the rope, drag the blade back and forth.Move the blade slightly to keep the tape or rope fibers from splitting.Continue cutting until you have removed the last part of the working end.The long end of the rope is referred to as the standing end.The working end is where you cut or tie off.
Step 10: To heat the end of the rope, use a butane torch or lighter.
Keep your hand away from the end by lifting the rope up in your nondominant hand.If you are using a torch, point it away from the end and slowly move it closer until the tip begins to burn.If you use a lighter, hold the rope above the flame and slowly lower it until it starts to burn.If you don't have a lighter, you can use a butane torch.The butane torch will cause a cleaner fusion at the end of the rope.The butane torch should be kept at least 12 inches away from the flame.Point the flame away from you.
Step 11: The end of the rope should be tapped with a thick leather glove.
After heating the end of the rope, release the torch or lighter.If there is a flame on the rope, blow it out.The end of your rope should be black.To push the melted fibers together, tap the burnt end of the rope against a thick leather glove.The end of the rope should be cool for 30 seconds.The electrical tape may fall off if your rope gets wet.Even if this happens, your rope won't break.If you are handling a small rope, you don't need to wear a glove.The burnt end can be gently rubbed against the leather.
Step 12: Use a hot knife to cut rope.
A hot knife is an electric knife with a blade that is hot.They have a thin rod that is hot enough to melt materials.The best way to cut synthetic rope is with a hot knife.You can buy a hot knife from a construction supply store.
Step 13: To make a cutting board, place a piece of glass or tile under the rope.
Since the hot knife will singe rubber, plastic, or wood, put a piece of thick glass or tile under the rope.The table or cutting surface will not be damaged if your hot knife hits the surface underneath.A piece of tile should not be laminated or coated in plastic.You can melt the plastic coating with your knife.
Step 14: Allow the knife to heat up for a few seconds.
Plug your hot knife into an outlet and set your rope over the cutting board.To start heating the blade, pull thetrigger on the knife.Give your knife time to heat up.It takes hot knives a long time to reach their peak temperature.
Step 15: Slowly melt the rope as you push the blade against it.
The hot knife needs to be pressed down.Press the blade against the rope to cut it.The rope will begin to separate.Move the blade slowly back and forth until you have completed your cut.Give the knife time to cool by putting it down on its side.As you cut through the rope, move the blade back and forth to make sure you heat it evenly.