Joel OF Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I'm working on a floral gate commission at the minute that uses a lot of small diameter round bar steel wrapped around the frame (leaf stems and climbing shoots) and I realized I needed a way of calculating steel lengths for the wraps etc.After a bit of research I came across braid on braid mariners rope which is sold (in the UK at least) in the same diameters as round bar steel, which is very handy. I'm sure there's lots of other objects that will do the same job but some plus points are - it's perfectly round, if you're careful with it it doesn't kink and will hold it's round shape when bending/wrapping it at sharp angles, it's pre-stretched, it's colourful so it's easy to find, if you buy each diameter in a different colour you can differentiate each piece without needing a caliper, cheap to buy online (though I bought mine in a shop). I did see some small diameter rope that held it's shape when bent because it had a wire centre, but it was a lot dearer and I think that only come's in 6mm.Needless to say you can't use it on hot steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Solder sometimes can be used. It bends easily and conforms to many shapes. It comes in several different diameters. The length is the contact length, not the center length, so adjust as needed.You can use the solder to capture different shapes, scrolls, angles, etc. and then bend the metal to match. Final fit can be tweeked as needed. I like the idea of different size rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel OF Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Because it matches steel bar sizes exactly it works like a charm for mapping out the paths of vine tendrils. Just draw around the rope to mark your path & away you go. Leafy garden plan support structure/bird feeder commission in progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Looks 'zippy' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 That is a great tip. An excellent way of accomplishing a difficult task with minimal additional investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seldom (dick renker) Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 neat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Very nicely done Joel.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I like the idea of getting the right diametre for the job, i've been using stainless steel cable that was left over from a job I did (was used to suspend a sculpture from a ceiling). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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