Best type of string/rope to use?

[Lukemax]

What do you find is the Best type of string/rope to use? for rigging onbaord ships?

Thanks

Joergen

[Scouty]

Usually the official lego string is best for ships :capn: .

[simonwillems]

The original string supplied is the best and with the strings used in the "newer" pirateships (with a stud on every end) you can also do some nice things:

I put them on top of the yard-arms, running over the top of the mast making it look like the yardarm is also connected by rope..

It's just visible in this picture on the front mast of the Skull's Eye Schooner.

[Capn Frank]

If you're making a serious MOC and you'd like to use the lego string with a stud on each end.

Check out Aaron Morse's Heavy Frigate. It's a good example of how extensively a person could use these strings.

Here's his BS folder:

Where this ship is discussed @ EB:

Also, if you want to go a cheaper route X-D . My brother made a Xebec and used $2-$3 Wal-Mart string X-D .

I think it looks pretty good, though this vessel didn't require the need for a rope type ladder going up the masts.

Here's the BS folder:

Where this ship is discussed @ EB:

There are other examples of each type of string use on MOC ships; it's just that these were the first to come to mind :) .

Enjoy,

Phred

[Mister Phes]

Usually the official lego string is best for ships :capn: .

I agree that the official LEGO string is best but, but is there something similar to the string and of equal quality? Even if its more expense it could be worth the price just to get a closer match as possible.

[Lukemax]

Where the best place for lego string what section would it be under in bricklink?

[Bonaparte]

Where the best place for lego string what section would it be under in bricklink?

Even if rope could be bought at BL, it won't be usable for most of the ships we build because they are much bigger than the official Lego ships.

This is a very interesting topic for me because I have to start looking for some good rope for my ship.

Ideal solution would be to find an online shop for model-ships or something alike were they sell some rope that looks very close to the official Lego rope. My plan was to visit a big model shop in Antwerp to ask them if they have rope.

But a more general question: Is it a good idea to buy "black" rope like the one from Lego? I have never seen a real ship with "black" rope...

[Mister Phes]

And have you ever seen a real ship with studs on many of the surfaces? :-D

Point is the official LEGO ships aren't scaled models of real ships and don't even bear much historic accuracy anyway, as you're well aware but I had to mention it.

But if we don't use black rope what kind of rope should we be using? A more traditional colour?

[Bonaparte]

And have you ever seen a real ship with studs on many of the surfaces? :-D

Point is the official LEGO ships aren't scaled models of real ships and don't even bear much historic accuracy anyway, as you're well aware but I had to mention it.

But if we don't use black rope what kind of rope should we be using? A more traditional colour?

Indeed, I was thinking of a more traditional color.

But I think it will be more difficult to find a rope with the correct diameter.

My grandfather used to be a tailer (died already many years ago), so today I visited my grandmother an found some useful stuff. The one on the right is useful, but the real Lego rope still has 2x this diameter.

This week I'm going to visit a real "tailor-shop" to ask what they have.

Btw, I finally have my new camera, so from now on no more crappy pictures from me.

[Mister Phes]

Would a more traditional rope colour work with the average LEGO ship MOC?

PS. What kind of camera did you get?

[Bonaparte]

Would a more traditional rope colour work with the average LEGO ship MOC?

Good question, if they have some different colors in the shop, I might buy some to try.

PS. What kind of camera did you get?

I bought a Canon IXUS 850. It's very small and has a wide angle. Easy to take with me on a business trip.

[ZCerberus]

A couple of notes about the string LEGO® uses...

First they use two different types, the thicker stuff that has the studs attached to the two ends that was usedto run front to back on the classic Pirate ships would more accurately be called a 'cord'. It is several pieces of string braided together. I noticed that if it starts fraying on the end, you can burn the edges of it to melt the strings together. This makes me think it is some sort of nylon, or other synthetic material as opposed to cotton. For this type of string I would look for a thin nylon cord.

Second, the string used in all other respects is probably some sort of basic cotton string. I am not sure if there is any difference between what one would call 'string' and what one would call 'thread' but the LEGO string seems to be thicker than what I would call 'thread'. I have found 'Carpet and Button thread' to be a decent replacement for the thinner LEGO string. It is kind of shiny, but a little thicker than ordinary thread, but I think it is a bit thiner that the LEGO string. I like it because it is easy to tie and is a little heavier than 'ordinary' thread.

[Mister Phes]

From dictionary.com

thread /θrɛd/ Pronunciation Key - Pronunciation[thred]

[ZCerberus]

From dictionary.com

thread /θrɛd/ Pronunciation Key - Pronunciation[thred]

[Mister Phes]

Sweet! I nailed it!

Congratulations are in order Mr ZCerberus!

I have found 'Carpet and Button thread' to be a decent replacement for the thinner LEGO string. It is kind of shiny, but a little thicker than ordinary thread, but I think it is a bit thiner that the LEGO string. I like it because it is easy to tie and is a little heavier than 'ordinary' thread.

Do you have any pictures of 'Carpet and Button thread' so we can see what you're referring to?

[Berry Syedow]

A couple of notes about the string LEGO

[Mister Phes]

Weren't the braided ropes of our piratical past a different colour? I also find the cords feel too smooth to rope, but maybe that's because of their size.

I wouldn't dream of braiding my own rope for I lack nimble enough fingers to do so.

[Landlubber]

I got some string from the upholstery shop next door to work. He does a lot of car upholstery as well as canvas boat covers and shade sails. The stuff I got was white, but only cause it was the best thickness and he had run out of black. It;s a little thicker than lego string, and a lot more durable. Lego string will fray after a while if it's rubbing on stuff.

[Berry Syedow]

Weren't the braided ropes of our piratical past a different colour? I also find the cords feel too smooth to rope, but maybe that's because of their size.

If we wanted to be as precise as possible then I'm sure we wouldn't be building with bricks. It just seems that this particular rope is the closest match to the rope used on actual ships (of the past...). You're probably right about the smoothness, but at the scale we're dealing with it can sometimes be hard to emulate the same textures accurately.

I wouldn't dream of braiding my own rope for I lack nimble enough fingers to do so.

Now we have one more thing in common. X-D This is why I hope to use a braiding device of some sort...

I got some string from the upholstery shop next door to work. He does a lot of car upholstery as well as canvas boat covers and shade sails. The stuff I got was white, but only cause it was the best thickness and he had run out of black. It;s a little thicker than lego string, and a lot more durable.

Could you post a side by side comparison?

Lego string will fray after a while if it's rubbing on stuff.

This is one aspect of LEGO String that rubs me the wrong way. (If you know what I mean. :-P)

[SkaForHire]

Yummy string! i say yummy, because i usually buy embroidery floss, which frays easily and i wet it with my tongue to bring it back together. It is cheap... and does the trick... tho if i could find a good nylon that resembles some of the old pirate "cord" i would think about spending the extra pennies on it...

BTW i have been busy as of late.... one fortress done, one battery done, one small boat, and another ship... i just haven't got around to clearing a space to shoot pictures of them in.... the ship uses some floss for rigging but i am not big on rigging lego ships in the first place, but i just cant stand not having a forestay/bowprit sail on my ships anymore so i must rely on some rigging...

i promise picture and story to come... I am attempting to do a website too so all of you who dont want to read long posts can just see pictures, and those who want to read story can go to the site... then again i am trying to also write my masters thesis on great lakes naval strategy at the same time... and that kinda takes priority... lol

[Mister Phes]

Yep, get that darn thesis out of the way so you can focus on more important things :-D

[SkaForHire]

Yep, get that darn thesis out of the way so you can focus on more important things :-D

Like PhD dissertations on piracy lol.... if i can get into a program lol.

[Tordenskjold]

I got a string/cord thats look quite like the one from lego. i can get houndreds of meters of it if i want. here's a pic of it.

what do you think of this? sorry for bad pic :-$ . but there is one lego string and one nonlego string.

[Berry Syedow]

BTW i have been busy as of late.... one fortress done, one battery done, one small boat, and another ship... i just haven't got around to clearing a space to shoot pictures of them in.... the ship uses some floss for rigging but i am not big on rigging lego ships in the first place, but i just cant stand not having a forestay/bowprit sail on my ships anymore so i must rely on some rigging...

Ska, my lad, it's good to see that you've returned! I suggest you heed Mr Phes' advice and finish that thesis so we can see some pictures already!

I got a string/cord thats look quite like the one from lego. i can get houndreds of meters of it if i want. here's a pic of it.

what do you think of this? sorry for bad pic :-$ . but there is one lego string and one nonlego string.

Thank you for providing a picture, Torden! I assume that the non-LEGO string has the bulbous end? It looks pretty similar to what TLC uses. Does it have a name?

[Tordenskjold]

The right string end is LEGO string. the other one is some string that we use to repair our fishing nets here. dont know any good word for it in english. but we can buy it in many of the stores that sell equioment to the fishermen. its quite stiff and look like a pitch dyed rope :)