Nylon paracord sizes

[willthebold]

Is there any difference in width over the different paracords(450, 550)? I was thinking about ordering some, but wanted to know the widths for my calculations.

-Will

[G-Roberts]

Is there any difference in width over the different paracords(450, 550)? I was thinking about ordering some, but wanted to know the widths for my calculations.

-Will

hi. There is no difference at all in 450, 550 and 650 Only in the weight it can hold

[rjallen70]

Yes...there is a difference.
550 is finer and thinner than 650...even though it is stronger.
Ron
The widths are close enough that your calcs wont change...but if you mix the 2 together it will show badly in your work.

550 left 650 right. Same distributor.

[Indiana County Jr.]

Will,

The 550 seems more friendly to use in braiding, I am just about finished building my bullwhip and was very pleased with the 550 type. However, my knuckles feel like I have been pulling on a chain with my hands for a week!



Crack On!
Allen

[Cracker]

Good comparison Ron. I didn't realize there was that much of a difference in size. I always thought it was just strength

[willthebold]

Thanks for the comparison pic Ron! I ordered some 650, and I can't wait to get started.

County,
I know the feeling! After my first whip, I thought my knuckles were done for good...

I'm thinking that the width of the cord is close enough to 4.5mm that it works out to where the number of plaits needed equals the diameter of what you're covering in mm? I'm using the (diameter*4.5)/plaits=strand width, so the 4.5's would cancel out, right?

-Will

[rjallen70]

it is barely short...round up and you will be fine.
Ron

[willthebold]

Thanks for all the info! I'm trying to decide whether to use BB's for the core, or the smaller pull-chain stuff. I used BB's on an earlier whip, and I wasn't sure if it was too heavy or not. My plan right now is to do a core (BB's or chain) bolster it a little with some Vet Wrap or similar tape, do about an 8-plait belly, then 12-plait overlay. About how wide of a whip would that make at the transition? Maybe .75"?

-Will

[rjallen70]

either one will work.
BB's use a single strand. Chain use 3.
Forget the vet wrap. It is too spongy and will not work to stiffen the the transition. Stick with e-tape or duct. Vetwrap is good for fleshing out a whip but will make the lil 12 plaiter too thick.

[G-Roberts]

Yes...there is a difference.
550 is finer and thinner than 650...even though it is stronger.
Ron
The widths are close enough that your calcs wont change...but if you mix the 2 together it will show badly in your work.

550 left 650 right. Same distributor.

i never knew there was a difference in the sizes I use 550 for my whips and it works great for me. Anything over 6 ft in 12 plait I use an 8mm cable core to add weight

[rjallen70]

No worries.
I have been fooling around with some cable lately on the 12 plaiters, but still shot load for the most part.
Ron

[Indiana County Jr.]

Ron,

What are your thoughts on cable for a core, I have recently thought of that idea too and glad to see I am not the only one. I think that it could be taken all the way to the hitch to help eliminate the "floppy" segment before the hitch. BTW, your tutorial rocks on an "epic" scale, thank you so much for it .


Crack On!
Allen

[rjallen70]

Dont take it all the way.
Stop it a few feet from the end, or your taper wont be right. Twist up the ends on your core and floppiness is gone.
Ron

[willthebold]

About how many strands should you have in the core at the fall hitch? Should it taper down to just one or two inside at the end?

-Will

[rjallen70]

Will...
Tell me more about the whip you are trying to build.
I just went back and re-read. For 12 plt end with a single strand core and 4 plait.
12 plt is only good to about 6-6.5 feet. You can stretch it to 7.
Ron

[willthebold]

Well, I think I'm going to do 2 whips. One about 6 ft, and the other about 8 ft. I guess I'll need to add another layer for the 8 ft over the 12 plait? I know I should end it in a 4 plait, but should there be non-plaited core strands inside at the fall hitch, or should those taper off a little before?

-Will

[rjallen70]

leave one or 2 core strands in under the 4 plait..

[willthebold]

Awesome! Thanks so much for your help! I guess for the 8 footer I need to add an overlay of 16 plait?

[rjallen70]

yes.
Make a 6 ft 12 plait whip and build your 8 fter on top of it.
Ron

[Indiana County Jr.]

Ron,
So what your saying is if I were to construct a 10 ft, then I should go with 16 plait? I am finishing up the first 6ft I have built (going back and correcting some overlay mistakes at the moment). Again, thanks for the help!


Crack On!
Allen

[rjallen70]

yep 16 plait. Anything 8 ft and up.
Ron

[gsolideogloria]

I'v made some whips by loading paracord with the fan chain but how does one go about loading a core with bbs? Do you have to use a bigger diameter cord than the 550?

[rjallen70]

bb's go into 550. One by one.

[willthebold]

One more question here Ron, how stiff should a nylon whip be when it's first finished? I was thinking maybe not quite as stiff as leather, but close maybe?

Thanks again!
-Will

[gsolideogloria]

Thanks. I was hoping there was a faster way. That just seemed pretty time intensive.

Happy cracking,

Ryan

[rjallen70]

Stiffness depends on the tightness of the plaiting and the binding.
I am a binder, and my whips are very stiff for the first couple feet.

And Ryan,
when it comes to whips most things worth doing takes time.
Ron

[Darth Indiana]

bit late to this thread, but i wanted to throw in my 2cents.
the only real difference among those paracord(apart from the small diff in diameter) are the number of inner strands - the stronger ones will have more inner strands.

since you're going to de-core the paracord anyway, i'd say go with the 550 for ease of availability. i don't know where you plan to buy your cord, but you can get 1000 foot spools of genuine 550 just about anywhere from your local military surplus store to amazon com.

about the inner strands. don't throw them away, as they're dead useful - 30 lbs test each for the 550, they make for a practically indestructible popper. also good for any project that calls for a visible white stitch, such as a pistol holster.