Power Kite Forum

New home made strops

silvereaglekiter - 17-8-2012 at 01:04 PM

A wile back the local West marine had some 1/4 inch amsteel on sale so I picked up a few feet.







I,m going to sacrifice one to a failure test to see what they will handle.
I have hung from one so there is no question that they will hold.
Still have plenty left.

BeamerBob - 17-8-2012 at 01:19 PM

That is nice work but an easier solution is to just tie an overhand knot on both ends of the strop and then larkshead them onto your handle leaders. That technique makes the length adjustable as well. I bought 20 feet of 4 different sizes of Amsteel while WM had it on sale as well.

WELDNGOD - 17-8-2012 at 02:07 PM

I make my own too Nick. Amsteel is an open braid ,so it is easy to use a fid to make the loop. Then run it through the sewing machine w/ heavy polyester thread to lock it. You could pull my truck w/ those Bro!

Todd - 17-8-2012 at 02:13 PM

Very nice Nick

BeamerBob - 17-8-2012 at 03:05 PM


Strop 2 by BMuse1, on Flickr

I am really happy with this technique. Not sure I'd want the hassle (for me) to do the splicing and stitching. I'm good at the splicing having made my own waterski handles and added loops into ropes, just wouldn't go to the trouble for strops.

This picture is from years ago while living in GA and the strop is for my old Blade IV 6.5m. I use the Amsteel now.

bigkid - 14-9-2012 at 10:29 PM

Been using the blue amsteal, it is one of 3 sizes I have been making. I figured out a way to use a fid to make the loop and it goes half way to the other end. do it to both ends and it now becomes twice as thick from one end to the other.
Also made up a couple of mods on a few handles and drilled a new hole for the strop about 1/4" below the strop on the handles and ran the amstreal through the new holes and tied a knot in the ends makes a nice clean application and no knots to get into the pulley. Didnt make any difference in the pull of the handles with the new holes. Made it easier to adjust the strop length. Found some electrical conduit sleeves for the holes in the handles, or just clean them up to get rid of any burs or sharp edges.
No matter how many times you cut the strop, once it is to short, it's to short.:embarrased:

pyro22487 - 15-9-2012 at 01:45 AM

I found paracord to be sufficient for now. LOL. I haven't been able to find amsteal. Except Bigkid kites when I was at NABX. I still owe him for it. I haven't forgot BIGKID.

BEC - 15-9-2012 at 04:31 AM

Nice Work! I have been doing mine like Beamer Bob's for years now and haven't had one fail yet. If you are running the strop through a non pulley type system (hook) on a harness, over time it will start to wear down and eventually break. (usually without any notice..so be careful)

What exactly is Amsteal?

I have been going to our local EMS (rock climbing store) and purchasing rope there. They usually have about 3 or 4 sizes, all in metric that do the trick. Some are a lot easier to bend then others. Cost is minimal and I purchase about 10 to 12 ft. at a time...good for 3 or 4 strops.

WELDNGOD - 15-9-2012 at 05:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BEC


What exactly is Amsteal?




Dyneema SK-75 HMPE fiber,same as most kite lines.

Scudley - 15-9-2012 at 06:36 AM

Is Amsteel overkill? Considering 1/4" polyester yacht braid has breaking strength of over 2200 lbs do you need to pay the extra for HMWPE? The difference in stretch between the the two would require a micrometer to measure over a 2 feet length.
S

silvereaglekiter - 15-9-2012 at 06:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Scudley
Is Amsteel overkill? Considering 1/4" polyester yacht braid has breaking strength of over 1200 lbs do you need to pay the extra for HMWPE?
S


very over kill but I got it cheep from a down sizing West marine

Strop!

skimtwashington - 15-9-2012 at 07:03 AM

BeamerBob - 15-9-2012 at 07:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Scudley
Is Amsteel overkill? Considering 1/4" polyester yacht braid has breaking strength of over 2200 lbs do you need to pay the extra for HMWPE? The difference in stretch between the the two would require a micrometer to measure over a 2 feet length.
S


I always felt the Amsteel had more abrasion resistance. I could be wrong. Now that I always run through a pulley, that isn't really a factor. I can't imagine ever wearing one out using a pulley.

bigkid - 15-9-2012 at 12:16 PM

The amsteal will take the salt/sand abuse longer than the other stuff I have used, and stays softer over time. I have used a lot of stuff from climbing rope to marine grade lines to boot laces. The amsteal lasts the longest for me anyway. anyone who got a piece from me has not returned to get another, must be OK to use.
Besides, it was a great price for the remainder of the roles on all the sizes I got, cheaper than the other stuff at the time.

tdmc96 - 15-9-2012 at 05:14 PM

I picked up some of the amsteel from Bigkid at SOBB as I blew 2 strops while I was there.


I don't use a roller on my harness as I prefer the resistance I get from not having one...the only downfall is I go through strops.
The amsteel seems to be holding up quite well.

Thanks again Jeff :thumbup::thumbup:


Ken(K3)