I just bought some Decorative Gold Braid from McKenzie. When I cut the stuff the end unraveled like crazy. I tried to burn it like I have done with other decorative ropes I've used and it did not fuse the end. I called McKenzie and they told me to tape the end and use super glue to fuse it together. When I put super glue to it visible fumes came off the stuff that made my eyes water. Obviously a chemical reaction of some sort that I don't want to repeat. I tried calling McKenzie again but they have not returned my call yet. I tried using thread to tie the ends together before cutting, but that is slow and tedious with my fat fingers. Does anybody have any recommendations on an easy and quick technique do to deal with this stuff?
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Just do as McKenzie said but use hot glue not super glue.
Wrap your tape, cut in the center(making two taped ends), hot glue each end. HAPP
First mark you line where you want to cut it, then you use scotch tape and wrap it around about 3 times centering it on your mark. Then just cut on your mark and you have both ends taped with about a 1/4" of tape. Then when you're doing your antler mount or whatever, you hot glue the ends in the back where they aren't noticed..
I start in the center of the braided rope. Untwist the braid just enough to enter the point of the hot glue gun and add drop of hot glue. When you release the brad all three braids are glued together. Cut the brad in the center of the glue with a razor blade. Measure the length you need and repeat at that point. TR
Fray Ease or Fray Stop. Not certain what the name is, but you get in in fabric stores or Walmart. Ask for it, they'll know what you're talking about. BP
My wife suggested the Fray Stop. I tried it and it took to long to set and did not hold well. Hot glue is an option, but then every time I want to cut the rope I'll need to heat up my glue gun. Maybe it's my glue gun, but I am not a big fan of hot glue as it is too messy. I also don't want tape on the rope as it would look a little sloppy. I want the two ends to come together cleanly becasue people will notice.
I was thinking about using wire to hold the ends together until I glue it in place and then I could pull the wire out.
I'll use up what I have left of that gold rope, but then I'm probably going to go to the craft store and buy some better decorative rope from now on. Not worth the bother with the McKenzie stuff.
I always tuck my ends so it doesn't matter. I use 1/2 painters masking tape and wrap the end, cut it in half with shears and install it with hot glue. The 1/4 tape holds the braid until the NEXT time I use it. This one really doesn't sound all that hard to compensate from.
My solution? Unless youre doing work for Barnacle Bill, Captain Crunch or Popeye, sh*t can the braided rope, thats almost as tacky as putting velvet on the dash of your '78 black TransAm! Boy that stuff is bad! Sorry I couldnt resist.
George, you said, "I always tuck my ends so it doesn't matter."
I'm not sure if I understand what you mean by tucking the ends. Could you please elaborate?
What do you use instead of the braid for someone other than Popeye? And I guess you don't care for he pink fur dice and the curtains in the front and rear window of my pick-up truck.james@walkersud.com
i like to add a little with a horn mount
around antlers
Could you tell I dont think that braided rope looks good? Lol.