Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 9/6/2008

Question
I have a signed 30 hour, one handed,10" dial, birdcage movement grandfather circa 1710 with a continuous rope winding system with a single 10 lb weight. If I need to ever replace this cord, how do you fuse together the 2 ends of the cord? If you use glue, what type? Thank you, D. Knight

Answer
I have read that braided synthetic rope can be taped over  6" end sections  and then cut on a matching taper with a sharp blade and then crazy glued together and the tape remnants removed.

here are more comments from my firends on the net from a few years ago:

Rope is manufactured commercially in different patterns for different
reasons.  There's parallel strand with a braided jacket.  You don't find
much of this around.  Most common is stranded rope where you'll generally
find three or more twisted strands forming the rope product.  A bit more
fancy is plaited and braided rope.

For clock rope systems, stranded is, by far, the easiest to splice.  You're
normally working with three twisted strands.  Generally simple stranded
isn't as flexible as plaited and braided rope material.  Plaited and braided
rope is the most flexible, but it's also the most difficult to splice.
Fortunately splicing with plaited and braided rope doesn't require "exact"
over and under tucking of the twisted strands.

I've used various types of rope over the years, the least favorable being
nylon or polyester.  They're simply difficult to work with.  Nylon is too
still, and polyester will drive you nuts trying to keep the cords waxed and
together.

Manilla rope is natural, but it's usually too stiff for use in a 30 hour
clock.  The sprocket teeth won't dig in.  Hemp rope is difficult to come by.
Wire rope isn't even up for consideration.

Hemp type ropes are natural, very supple, will support the load and are
relatively easy to splice for use in clocks.  Finding a reliable source is
the trick.  Again, David Lindow sent me a pulley and donut for me to splice
for him.  It was 13 strand plaited and braided rope and a joy to make up a
long splice.

How?  You can follow the instructions at: www.bhi.co.uk/hints/rope.htm .  I
deviate from the instructions, especially when making the initial joining.
After having wiped down each strand bundle with paste wax and twisted them
tightly, I tie the center core strands with a square knot and leave them
knotted.  The outside strands I weave through the braided jacket.  I only
weave a maximum of three times for each strand, then I terminate the weave
by pulling it through the entire diameter of the rope and snip with nail
clippers.  Using a small crochet hook and a large curved sewing needle help
tremendously.

Patience and planning.  Go slow.  There's no greater satisfaction than
ending up with a pretty splice, especially when you remember to put on the
pulley and lead donut first.  Always service the overlooked pulley.
Generally it will be badly worn from lack of oiling and servicing.

If you are going to use rope, use braided rope. However, with a few
exceptions, I see no point in using rope at all. It is cheap and
quick to convert to chain. No more bump in the night, no more
movements full of shredded rope, less wear on the movement and
reduced costs for your customer.


Might be an overkill type answer but, how about trying a magicians supply
house (like http://www.magicstore.com ). I used to do a rope illusion
years ago and the rope I had left over we used for a couple old rope
operated clocks. I don't remember weaving it but I know we did on one.

I just got some perfect rope from M&P (Meadows and Passmore) in England. Not cheap but it is the best I've seen.