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Rope middle mark with dental floss

Original Post
Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265

Dunno where I got this, but I just found it on my computer so I thought I'd pass it on.

If you do this, make sure to soak for dental floss in battery acid for at least 24 hours prior to installation. It makes it totally bomber.

Dental floss mid-rope mark.

Full disclosure and disclaimer: You will die if you soak the dental floss in battery acid.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

I recently sewed some dental floss through the middle of a rope and within a few days of usage the strands I left sticking out a few centimeters were completely worn down so that I could no longer see them, rendering them useless. I have since gone back to using a very red marker.

ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25
Marc H wrote:Dunno where I got this, but I just found it on my computer so I thought I'd pass it on. If you do this, make sure to soak for dental floss in battery acid for at least 24 hours prior to installation. It makes it totally bomber. Full disclosure and disclaimer: You will die if you soak the dental floss in battery acid.
You will only die if you soak the floss if you forget to soak the rope. Everyone (I hope) knows that a good rope must be flaked and allowed to marinate in battery acid for at least 8 hours before use.

Stich wrote:I recently sewed some dental floss through the middle of a rope and within a few days of usage the strands I left sticking out a few centimeters were completely worn down so that I could no longer see them, rendering them useless. I have since gone back to using a very red marker.
That happened to the little fuzzers Metolious foolishly uses to mark the center of their ropes after one TR setting for me. Someone makes rope-safe marking paint that might be a good idea.
NickinCO · · colorado · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 155
swordfishes wrote: You will only die if you soak the floss if you forget to soak the rope. Everyone (I hope) knows that a good rope must be flaked and allowed to marinate in battery acid for at least 8 hours before use. That happened to the little fuzzers Metolious foolishly uses to mark the center of their ropes after one TR setting for me. Someone makes rope-safe marking paint that might be a good idea.
sharpie markers are perfectly rope safe
Ryan N · · Bellingham, WA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 195

I have found the best middle marker. I use a masons string line which comes in hot pink, and against my blackish rope it really stands out. You can take the individual paired fibers apart easily and you end up with a thickness similar to dental floss. It's a nylon string so although it does fray, but it's very durable and since I did it 6 months ago I haven't replaced it. I find that most times I notice the marker not by sight but by feeling it in my hand. That's my 2 cents...

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
swordfishes wrote: That happened to the little fuzzers Metolious foolishly uses to mark the center of their ropes after one TR setting for me. Someone makes rope-safe marking paint that might be a good idea.
At first I didn't really care for the Metolius markers, but on a dark blue rope I can see the hot pink threads way off.

I actually really appreciate it now.
Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

The way I make my "Middle mark" is when I buy a new rope, I measure it to the middle, then cut it in half. That way it's always the same length on both sides.

EDITED:

"bi-color ropes- worth every penny."

Only if yer a SWINGER...

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
John Wilder wrote:bi-color ropes- worth every penny.
I have a Mammut Duodess Infinity and the bi-pattern is worthless, especially in low light. I marked the center with a Sharpie Rub-A-Dub. Maybe if a company makes a rope that is two completely different colors I'll change my mind but I won't buy another bi-pattern rope.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

beal rope marker ...

when in doubt, simply find the middle from both ends...

i dont bother with duodess anymore ... nor do most people i know ... i prefer to spend < 100$ on a rope rather than 200$+ ... and climb more with the money saved ...

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
bearbreeder wrote:beal rope marker ... when in doubt, simply find the middle from both ends... i dont bother with duodess anymore ... nor do most people i know ... i prefer to spend < 100$ on a rope rather than 200$+ ... and climb more with the money saved ...
I paid $150 for it, BAM!
Bill McKirgan · · Cheyenne, WY · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 466

great illustration!

I like this way of marking the middle of my ropes because you can feel the mark while handling the rope, and also it's easier for me to see this kind of mark vs the point where those fancy ropes change pattern (gives me a headache).

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Ray Pinpillage wrote: I paid $150 for it, BAM!
i pay 85$ for my main ropes ... SLAM !

=P
Matt King · · Durango, CO · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 327

Just mark it well with a sharpy... It's what the rope companies do. I've been doing it for many years and have had no problems. Got it straight from a Petzl tech rep as well.

Matt

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
bearbreeder wrote: i pay 85$ for my main ropes ... SLAM ! =P
Is this a who can pay the least for a rope competition? Cause I still got ya beat...but $150 for an Infinity is pretty swell and Mammut is very proud of their Duodess (which I think sucks).
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

lol ... im waiting till they go on special like last year to get a 50$ one ;)

the point simply being that most people dont need duodess for most of the thing they do ... unless you know the rope i dont trust them anyways =P

mattm · · TX · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,885

Beal Rope Marker (more like a viscous ink than a plain old marker)
Sharpie T.E.C. or Rub-A-Dub

You need a BiColor who's two patterns are VERY different. Some colors just don't work well and it's damn hard to see the middle.

I'm with Bearbreader. Cheaper single color ropes and Beal Rope marker are what I use at the moment. I'll splurge on a BiColor if the pattern is distinct.

PiotrB · · Valencia, Spain · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 40

Lately when I wasn't sure if my rope is long enough I just marked it with a simple node just before climbing :)
For those who don't need the middle mark so often.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
mattm wrote:You need a BiColor who's two patterns are VERY different. Some colors just don't work well and it's damn hard to see the middle. I'm with Bearbreader. Cheaper single color ropes and Beal Rope marker are what I use at the moment. I'll splurge on a BiColor if the pattern is distinct.
It seems like most of them aren't that different. My yellow bicolor is the same shade of yellow even though the pattern is differnt, my buddies bright orange is the same. I think it's somewhat harder to see at times.
curvenut · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 0
John Wilder wrote:bi-color ropes- worth every penny.
Totally useless,
Kepp you money for a road trip !
Carl H. · · Connecticut · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 25

Seriously, though I did enjoy the funny ones, dental floss is great because you can remove and move it if you have to cut one end of your rope. I have done it several times using waxed dental floss and using a large sewing needle to weave it in and out of the sheath around and around for a couple inches. It will get worn and frayed but the white continues to show against darker ropes and if you have to cut your rope you can just pull out the dental floss and re-mark the new middle.

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 342

SHARPEE and be done with it.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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