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Posted: 23 Jan 2006, 18:00
by Russel
Faireis and butterflies can be strung up with rope but try tie a knot in cable.
Maybe i should try "plasma rope"on my mudship some time.
Posted: 23 Jan 2006, 19:19
by missusjen
Russel at Syncro-Nutz wrote:Faireis and butterflies can be strung up with rope but try tie a knot in cable.
That would make a cracking signature Russel......

Posted: 23 Jan 2006, 20:54
by Aidan
There is also webbing type 'rope/cable' available now which I have read a couple of good reviews of. Like plasma it's lighter than wire, though it can't be spliced quite like plasma can.
Has Andy - Amulet got his winch working yet ? He could be the guinea pig for the group perhaps.
Posted: 23 Jan 2006, 23:00
by amulet
yes thanks Aiden, working fine, and that's how i'd like to keep it!! hasn't been used in anger (although if one of my clients doesn't pay me soon that might change) though so couldn't vouch for the standard wire option vs plasma.
i would consider being the group lab rat though if the money was right.
looking forward to pulling some of you lot out of big muddy holes at coney farm....
Posted: 23 Jan 2006, 23:00
by HarryMann
Yes Jen, that would be a great byeline...
Maybe i should try "plasma rope"on my mudship some time.
Does look like good stuff in all respects, we looked at Kevlar for tow launching hang-gliders years ago, dreadful stuff, needed a sheath (abrasion) and ver expensive then, so went back to cheap and cheerful 6mm twisted polyrope. This looks like the development that's going to make winching safer all-round without a heavy maintenance hassle, braided so doesn't torque-up, and doesn't store much energy either...
Looks like the Cinese are on to it
Dyneema, the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber, has filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Hangzhou Pivot International Co. Ltd., of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, before the Court of Paris, France. Prior to the filing, DSM Dyneema obtained authorization to seize merchandise, including fiber, rope and finished articles, exhibited by Hangzhou Pivot at the Milipol 2005 exhibition on state security in Paris.
http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/hpf/home_dyneema.htm
Looks like Dupont are going to be the losers, this stuff is probably better for bullet-proof vests, flak jackets and shrapnel blankets than Kevlar, and pretty sure its a lot cheaper
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 08:33
by Ye Olde Syncrospares
ive just finished a LANTRA professional winching course and the instructor said theres no reason why we should be using steel cable anymore,the webbing strap was on trial by some locals recently,they really tried to break it by pulling out apple tree stumps with a pto winch and couldnt,theres no doubt ill be loading dyneema/plasma on the jeep when funds alow,cj.
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 10:24
by toomanytoys
he he he.. dyneema.. cool stuff.. had a set of power kite lines for 8 years.. never snapped them, even with a big stack of kites and lifting me off the ground (I am a large gentleman!!) the shock loads are pretty high!! for the size of line its amazing...
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 11:05
by terryvanman
I use some very strong string for my curtain tracks

Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 13:19
by HarryMann
So how much is this stuff CJ?
What are the pros and cons been webbing and 9~10mm braided rope?
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 14:53
by Ye Olde Syncrospares
david bowyer near me sells dyneema winch rope at £150 for 30m of 10mm,you also need a hawse fairlead instead of a roller fairlead as the plasma might catch in the rollers,the webbing worked really well,no distortion under load,not very heavy but its bulky so reduced amount on drum,cj.
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 15:09
by syncroand101
Thats the Dyneema-Bowrope which is a synthetic plamsa style rope.
Plasma is sold by this guy -
ruftraks.co.uk.
Different names for roughly the same thing no real difference I am sure....And both £150 odd!
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 16:05
by toomanytoys
Compared to £XX? for a steel one??
Posted: 24 Jan 2006, 22:54
by HarryMann
Compared to £XX? for a steel one??
True, but they're highly unlikely to maim you.
Might lead to less care when winching, but then there's much easier handling , cleaning and stowage, less weight. Heat sensitivity on a heavily braked drum seems to be about the only potential thing to be aware of.
Posted: 25 Jan 2006, 00:49
by Cate
ive just finished a LANTRA professional winching course
Good one CJ
Posted: 25 Jan 2006, 08:14
by toomanytoys
Cate my question was real how much is a comparable steel one? I havent a clue.. If you would still pay 75 quid then it isnt that bad, but if a steel one cost 25 then it is quite pricey..
Maybe a regular user with good experience would continue with steel.. (cheap to replace and good knowledge of the system)
possibly for the inexperienced, occasional user, the plasma would be a better option from the safety side..
Certainly if I was going to fit a winch, the plasma sounds like a good option.. last thing you need is a big injury and a stuck vehicle, with no access to help!!
100 quid extra is a small price to pay for the insurance I would have thought.. its not like it would be every year!! (would it?)