Plaits size in whip making

[dkwd]

In making a whip, what size are the plaits in width?
Are the plaits the same width through the length of the whip, or do they taper?
What length would the plaits be for which length of whip?

David

[Mola Ram]

its always diffrent and cut by hand. The strands start out
larger and then get smaller towards the fall hitch. The size of
the strands along the whip is what gives the whip its taper.
kindest Regards
molorom

[jerryrwm]

In making a whip, what size are the plaits in width?
Are the plaits the same width through the length of the whip, or do they taper?
What length would the plaits be for which length of whip?

David

David,

A couple quick rules of thumb that are not written in stone or carved in wood, but they can help get you started.

Width of strands - (d x 4.6) / n = W

where: d = diameter of core
n = number of strands
W = width of each strand.

example: Core is 20.0 mm and overlay is 12 plait.

(20.0 x 4.6) / 12 = 7.6 mm (approx)

Then taper the strands accordingly.

Length of strands -- roughly 1.6 to 1.8 times the finished plaited length.

Remember, these are rough rules of thumb, and each whipmaker modifies them in some way to fit their tastes.

You can also use the above formula when using non tapered laces.

(d x 4.6) / W = n

Then the taper of your whip comes from the proper taper of the core and belly/bolsters, combined with properly dropping strands at the right time. This is what has to be done when making paracord whips. The taper has to be made by dropping strands.

Hope this is fairly clear. Even as" ignorant" as I am and mathematically challenged I can usually figure it out. But I only use metric. Easier to calculate.

Keep 'em crackin'

Jerry R

[dkwd]

Hmm. Okay, thanks. Tandy has a sale on some 1/8" Kangaroo plait but it sounds like it may not work.

David

[Dittmer]

Width of strands - (d x 4.6) / n = W

where: d = diameter of core
n = number of strands
W = width of each strand.

example: Core is 20.0 mm and overlay is 12 plait.

(20.0 x 4.6) / 12 = 7.6 mm (approx)

I've been meaning to ask someone about this for awhile. Where does the 4.6 number come from? The way I see it you want your strands wide enough to cover the circumference (circumference = Pi * diameter) of your core so theoretically the 4.6 should actually be Pi, or 3.14. Then the equation would work out such that you are dividing the circumference by the number of strands you want.

If I were to guess I would say that using 4.6 instead of Pi (resulting in slightly thicker strands) is done to compensate for things such as stretch or thickness of the leather.

Anyway, if you know where this 4.6 number comes from I'd be interested to know about it.

I hope my post made sense!
-Mark

[jerryrwm]

Dittmer
I've been meaning to ask someone about this for awhile. Where does the 4.6 number come from? The way I see it you want your strands wide enough to cover the circumference (circumference = Pi * diameter) of your core so theoretically the 4.6 should actually be Pi, or 3.14. Then the equation would work out such that you are dividing the circumference by the number of strands you want.

If I were to guess I would say that using 4.6 instead of Pi (resulting in slightly thicker strands) is done to compensate for things such as stretch or thickness of the leather.

Anyway, if you know where this 4.6 number comes from I'd be interested to know about it.

I hope my post made sense!
-Mark

Mark,

Not sure where the 4.6 came from, but pi won't work because you are only covering the core once with pi measurements, and since plaiting results in two layers, you strands would be extremely wide if you figured for pi and then doubled it. By using the 4.6, 4,7, etc, you are able to cover the core because of the angle that you are plaiting at.which is approx 45 deg to the axis of the core, and 90 deg to the opposite strands. So someone with a mathematical mind came up with the number of 4.6 and that's how whipmaking got started. Not really! I just know it works.

dkwd

Hmm. Okay, thanks. Tandy has a sale on some 1/8" Kangaroo plait but it sounds like it may not work.

David

David,

The 1/8" lace will work, but you are in all likelihood going to end up with a 16, 20, or 24 plait whip.

For example: Use the same size core- 20 mm dia (which is roughly 3/4") and 1/8" lace (which is roughly 3.5mm)

Plugged into the equation we get: (20 x 4.6) / 3.5 = 26.3 or round up to 28 strands.

It would make a darn nice whip, but it might take a while!!

Keep 'em crackin',

Jerry R

[Sergei]

Dave,

Not to take away from any part of Jerry's well anwered explanations and formulae - nice job Jerry, but buying precut laces are not a good idea for whips. Nice for any other projects like key fobs, belts, etc. The idea of cutting laces for whips, is that you need to have that taper to the lace. Otherwise, with an untapered lace, you will get bunching when you try to braid in a taper. Remember that a whip needs to be tapered so that you get a nice clean transfer of energy.

David do you have a reading material on the subject? If you don't, there is:
- "Ron Edwards book - How to Make Whips"
- "David Morgan - Whips & Whipmaking"

Although not specifically to whip making but good resources:
- "David Morgan - Braiding Fine Leather"
- "Bruce Grant - Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding"

I apologize in advance if you have these, but regardless if anyone else was interested hopefully it's in our little knowledge base here, called the COW forum. )

-Sergei

[Dittmer]

...because of the angle that you are plaiting at.which is approx 45 deg to the axis of the core, and 90 deg to the opposite strands. So someone with a mathematical mind came up with the number of 4.6 and that's how whipmaking got started. Not really! I just know it works.

That explanation works for me! It makes sense that the 45 deg angle would come into play and also the fact that the plaited layer is actually 2 layers of leather ...I keep forgetting that!
-Mark

[dkwd]

I know of the books - just haven't picked up any yet. I thought that the taper was created by the dropping of strands in the plaiting - kind of like with making mail - or kniting .

David