Adding better fall and crack parts

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:26 am

Well I got my first piece of "expensive" Indy gear and would like to replace the "piece of crack" fall and cracker on the end. Most of the links to this site are broken or dead!

Anyone have a good recommended website with a How To? Also what is the best materials for these parts?

Getting ready to take some pics but I want to remove the "piece of crack" parts first! Also going to treat the leather too!

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:10 am

Here is a video of me tying off a popper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svd_lfGHMMs

Here is a good thread with a diagram (one of many ways to tie a popper):
viewtopic.php?p=85937#85937

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:54 am

Here's a video of Bernie giving instructions on changing a fall.
http://www.em-brand-whips.com/change%20fall.htm

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:19 pm

Here is the garbage fall and cracker/popper that came with my whip.

This is what I need to replace with something beter. What is a good weight of leather for the fall and what type of line for the cracker/popper?

My first piece of expensive Indy Gear:

midwestwhips · Post by **midwestwhips** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:27 pm

Hi IndyWannaBee,

That whip looks like it could use a medium to heavy size fall, and a regular nylon popper would do the trick.

From the look of that odd fall knot, I would suggest that you have a professional whipmaker do the replacement, and put a standard fall hitch on, so you will be able to replace it yourself from then on.

If you would like, I can easily provide this service as well as the new fall and popper for a reasonable price. Just shoot me an email to whipmaker@midwestwhips.com

I would be able to have it done within a day and back in the mail to you.

Regards,

Paul Nolan
www.midwestwhips.com

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:31 pm

Yeah that is not a standard fall hitch. In fact that looks like one strand from the point that became the fall. Like Paul said, it needs the care of a whipmaker to rework this into a proper fall. And Paul can certainly do it.

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:56 pm

I concur with my esteemed colleagues. In most cases replacing a fall is easy with the right instructions, but given the type of Bullwhip you have and unique way the old fall tied in. Some one like Paul would be better suited to replace it. He'll be able to match up the new fall to the weight and taper of the whip,, which should make a noticable improvement in the in the way your whip performs.

Dan

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:11 am

Well gentlemen I thank you for your help. I do believe though the easiest way to learn something is to do it yourself.

Further online research and a trip to the library allowed me to take apart the end of my whip and discover it simply was a Turks Head know tied around the end of the thong using a long plait.

I think the end of the whip still had far too many plaits (8 total) and it should have tapered down to only four.

Here is the finished product with the fall and popper made by me:

Fall attched to the thong:
http://tinyurl.com/338oyx

Home made popper thanks to an excellent video by Mr. BullWhipMorton! KUDOS!
http://tinyurl.com/34c6kq

http://tinyurl.com/3yt4hh

Popper attached to the fall with a half hitch:
http://tinyurl.com/2uxlms

My next project is my very own homemade Indy style whip....

rjallen70 · Post by **rjallen70** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:53 am

Nice work...
Based on your ingenuity I am looking forward to that Indy whip project!
Ron

louiefoxx · Post by **louiefoxx** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:40 am

IndyWannaBe,

Here's small thing you might want to do, as David Morgan always tells me, "cutt off the (insert word for female breast that starts with T)". That's the little bit of the fall that sticks out after you have tied the cracker on.

I don't know how much of a difference it actually makes, I've been told by cuttnig it off that it make is a bit more areodynamic and also it should tangle a bit less.

xoxo

Louie
http://www.bullwhips.org

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:53 am

Consider the breast reduction to occur tonight! Good catch! I didn't notice that until right now.

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:51 pm

Nice job on the refit. I might have gone with a bit hevaier fall, depending on the weight of the bullwhip but your knots look very good.

Glad you found the popper making tutorial helpful. Like Louie said, Clip that little “tail” off of the fall. If you find the popper slipping loose, dampen the leather a bit and give it the popper a good couple pulls. Then test crack it a few times to seat it tight. Good luck with the Indy whip project, look forward to seeing how it goes.

Dan

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:05 pm

WOW! WOW! WOW freakin' WOW!

So I decide to try out my whip in the alleyway behind my house (yard is too small). Having never cracked a whip before in my life I decide that after watching a few videos, reading about the various techniques, and thinking I can sqeak an amateur whip crack out....I try!

Holy freakin' WOW! The sound....a high pitched, clean, crisp....THAAA-WHACK!! Freaked out and amazed at the same time I try it again! I practically melt into the cement! I think to myself, "That's right! I'm Indy!"

Meanwhile my neighbor heard the noise so I quickly duck into the garage and stare at the whip for about 15 minutes contemplating when I will crack it again!!!

Maybe off to the park when all my gear arrives! I'm am hooked!

I told the wifey that she needs to film the next one and she gave a look that said deep down, "I wish you would stick with Captain Jack Sparrow!" Ummm...NO!

I also can't wait for the movie!!!

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:43 pm

IndyWannaBee, excellent job on replacing the fall and cracker. You look like a quick learner. I'll look forward to seeing pics of the your whip when you finish it.
Jim