This is a project I made to clean my ever-growing number of climbing ropes, as well as the many ropes I use at my local Scout camp's climbing tower.Previously I had only ever used the "big bucket of soapy water" method, until I was introduced to this one this fall. Cleaning a climbing rope regularly will significantly increase it's lifespan and safety.The scrubber is based on a design used by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), specifically the Southwest Branch out of Tucson, Arizona. This design works with both Static and Dynamic ropes of pretty much all designs and sizes from cordelette to rescue lines. It consists of relatively few components and is powered by a garden hose. More on that later, but the whole thing costs under about ten bucks and can be assembled in under half an hour.
Note: I actually built three different versions of the same apparatus over the course of the project. Their only real difference is in the diameter of the PVC pipe used to make them. I used a 1" diameter tee, a 1 1/4" one, and a 1 1/2" one. I had the best success with the 1" model, though you could even go down to a 3/4" diameter one for better pressure at the cost of slightly more friction against the rope, though that might also be mitigated by aforementioned higher water pressure
Note: I actually built three different versions of the same apparatus over the course of the project. Their only real difference is in the diameter of the PVC pipe used to make them. I used a 1" diameter tee, a 1 1/4" one, and a 1 1/2" one. I had the best success with the 1" model, though you could even go down to a 3/4" diameter one for better pressure at the cost of slightly more friction against the rope, though that might also be mitigated by aforementioned higher water pressure
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials!
So the first step is to gather your materials and tools(what few there are)
The materials can be had for around $10 bucks at your local Home Depot. I already had a glue gun, PVC cement, and a boxcutter handy. I didn't care to look up the average cost of those three, but chances are you can find them or borrow them.
Materials:
1. (1) Watts 3/4" FH x 3/4" MIP x Tapped 1/2" FIP (also known as Model A-679 Hose Adapter)
-This attaches the hose to the PVC Tee. Costs less than $4.00 normally, depending on what kind of metal you get
2. (1)1" Diameter threaded PVC Tee(or also called a DWV Hub I think) (I lost the receipt, so I apologize for not having a more detailed name as I did for the hose adapter. See the photos for a better idea of what it is.) This is the main component of the scrubber. It costs less that $3.00 normally
3. (1) 4" x 4" Astroturf sample. This serves as the abrasive/scrubbing component in the system. This can be found in the flooring section, normally for free. Otherwise the smallest section you can buy from them (at least at my Home Depot) is a 12' x 1' section, which is rather impractical though pretty cheap at about $8. I chose astroturf because (A) It is what was used in the original design, and (B) it is a fairly simple, cheap material than say cheap carpet, which is likely to contain a smorgasborg of chemicals that would damage your rope, as well as being more likely to get rocks and junk stuck in it (the carpet I mean)
Tools:
Boxcutter
Hot Glue Gun
PVC cement
Not pictured: Long Screwdriver
Note: The project can be completed without the use of the Hot Glue gun or PVC Cement, and I actually suggest not using them, as it ended up complicating things (like getting the astroturf in just right)
The materials can be had for around $10 bucks at your local Home Depot. I already had a glue gun, PVC cement, and a boxcutter handy. I didn't care to look up the average cost of those three, but chances are you can find them or borrow them.
Materials:
1. (1) Watts 3/4" FH x 3/4" MIP x Tapped 1/2" FIP (also known as Model A-679 Hose Adapter)
-This attaches the hose to the PVC Tee. Costs less than $4.00 normally, depending on what kind of metal you get
2. (1)1" Diameter threaded PVC Tee(or also called a DWV Hub I think) (I lost the receipt, so I apologize for not having a more detailed name as I did for the hose adapter. See the photos for a better idea of what it is.) This is the main component of the scrubber. It costs less that $3.00 normally
3. (1) 4" x 4" Astroturf sample. This serves as the abrasive/scrubbing component in the system. This can be found in the flooring section, normally for free. Otherwise the smallest section you can buy from them (at least at my Home Depot) is a 12' x 1' section, which is rather impractical though pretty cheap at about $8. I chose astroturf because (A) It is what was used in the original design, and (B) it is a fairly simple, cheap material than say cheap carpet, which is likely to contain a smorgasborg of chemicals that would damage your rope, as well as being more likely to get rocks and junk stuck in it (the carpet I mean)
Tools:
Boxcutter
Hot Glue Gun
PVC cement
Not pictured: Long Screwdriver
Note: The project can be completed without the use of the Hot Glue gun or PVC Cement, and I actually suggest not using them, as it ended up complicating things (like getting the astroturf in just right)
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In return, I offer a 10 second doodle.
I sail a lot, and sometimes it might be impractical to untie the ropes for washing, and some of my ropes have both ends woven into loops or permanently attached to metal rings.
So I made a quick doodle of a possible tweak to allow you to attach the rope washer anywhere along the length.
In addition to the bits in the original instructable, you'd need a hacksaw and another length of tubing, of same or slightly larger diameter. Cut a section off the T-tube. Glue the astroturf. to the tube, and to the inside of the section you cut off. Glue the section to the inside of another tube (For a really snug fit, use the same diameter of tube and just cut it open and bend it outwards, otherwise use a slightly bigger one).
The section you cut should be wide enough that you can insert your ropes in.
To use, slide the tubes apart, put your rope inside and slide the tubes back together. To lock the outer tube in place, you could use the T-section as a bolt by cutting small notches on the outer tube (see image, it's easier than me failing to explain it properly).
The outer part has been drawn from two angles.
Haven't made this yet, and it'll probably take me a while to make one but I'll post some experiences after I've made one for her (boats) spring cleaning.
Sorry for the picture quality, I only had post-it notes and my laptop's web camera at my disposal.
I love your Ible. It's dreadfully simple for anyone to do and uses simple components and tools!! I think it's great and I don't have a single rope to my name!
Gaist, I love your addition. Also simple, and your drawings are better than some whole Ibles! Thanks for including them!!
My addition: My only suggestion would be to attempt to use this with some sort of water trough to catch as much of the water as you can, and a pump to reuse it. You will lose a good deal of water in the rope itself and drying, but if you are washing 1000 feet of rope at a time, you should be able to reclaim and reuse a good amount of water!
All in all, Nice Ible!!
There is a growing world shortage of safe drinking water, and dirty water now kills more people every year than all forms of violence (including war) combined.
Some analysts think there more future wars will be fought over clean water than over oil.
There are more people in Africa without access to clean water than the entire population of the USA.
Dirty water kills five thousand children every day.
Yeh, who cares about wasting water?
There's nothing wrong with a bucket of soapy water being used for several ropes. Take it to the extreme, the water you use could be "grey" from your bath or shower, or collected rainwater from your garden butt. Heck, take the rope into the shower with you!
More people need to realise that fresh drinking water is a limited and diminishing resource, even in (so called) developed countries.
Placing a disc of plastic or metal with a small hole in the centre (1/8 inch works well) between the hose end and the hose adapter will not only use less water overall, but will increase the pressure hitting the rope as well - the 1/8 inch 'jet' is more effective at knocking dirt loose.
I also found that putting the hole in the centre of the 'turf square rather than notching the edges also makes the water flow around the rope better without tending to just follow the cut edge right to the ends of the tee.
And using some scotchbrite or similar scrubber pad (NOT FOR ROPES PLEASE!) instead of turf carpet works great for cleaning garden stakes,pipes, etc!
Just a couple of suggestions from another backyard and basement inventor - Cheers!
It might be better to place it in-between the hose-adapter and your PVC tee.
This way it won't fall out when you unscrew the hose.
:D
For those of us who want to avoid the glue and make the 'turf' replaceable: Cut the turf longer than the tube (so it sticks out both ends), fold the exposed ends back over the tube, and secure with zip ties around each end. Double benefit of holding the turf in place for rigorous scrubbing and making it easy to replace. Just snip the ties and insert new turf.
Thanks, Insomniac.
BTW Insom nice instructable.
P.S.- I didn't know BlueWater had one main owner, I thought it was run by like a board?
I work with ropes all the time - not rock climbing but i currently use the bucket with soap and water method - hmmm this might work for our ropes as well. i just have to make it bigger for the larger size ropes we use. I'll give it a try... and i could use something like this for our land lines too hmmmm... with a little modification it would work perfectly for those lines.
thanks for the tip and instrucable. I'll give it a try!
- chase -
So I usually go on backpacking and climbing trips. Thinking about how to make it more "middle of nowhere friendly":
Instead of a hose fitting, either meld a funnel or tape a funnel to the head and pour water in from a bucket. The soap could just be mixed in the bucket.
Great instructable again!
This is why I love this site, it is one big collaberation group.
Dirty Rope in Soap in
I I I I
I I I I I I
I \/ I___________I \/ I______
I I
I < soapy water < < < Water in
I _____I____________________
I I
I I
Clean Rope out
http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/cmi-rope-washer.html
if that was the case the guy who invented the chair would f***en annoyed with all the copyright claims