Here is my first instructable. How to make rope/cord from a VHS Tape.

(back story) I saved a bunch of recordable VHS tapes from the dumpster. I, like most people, consider VHS to be out-dated and poor quality. So in-turn I wanted to repurpose these tapes. One of my ideas was to make rope / cord from the magnetic tape inside. I was amazed to find no one else has done this (or maybe I didn't look hard enough). Thus starts the instructable.

Supplies used:

1/8" metal rod (could probably use coat hangers)
Couple pieces of scrap wood
VHS tape (of course)

Tools used:

Drill
Drill bits (size of your metal rod)
Screwdriver (to open the VHS tape)
Razorblade or scissors
Gloves (important as always)
Pliers (I used linesman pliers)

Step 1: Open Your VHS Tape

This step can vary depending on the way you want to open it up. You can unscrew the screws holding it together and it should come right apart (depending on stickers covering where it separates).

Technically you could just try to smash it open if you don't have a screwdriver. However I found these VHS tapes are rather tough to break.

So it is now open and you have the tape. Hopefully the tape is completely on one spool [Be Kind Please Rewind]. If it is not, manually wind it on to one spool. And cut to separate from the other spool.

Step 2: Stretch the Tape

Here is the part that takes some practice.

First put your gloves on so you don't get a friction burn (I got one before I put my gloves on)

Now take one end of the tape in one hand and the other end in your other hand (about 12"-16") and stretch it so it thins down to a "string". Don't pull too hard or it will snap. It always eventually snaps ::Note:: You can tie two snapped ends together. If you do you'll just end up with a tiny bump in your rope.

After it is stretched, grab another 12"16", stretch that and keep moving up the tape.

I just let mine fall on the floor and wound it up after I got 20-30 feet.

Ounce you get the hang of the stretching, it goes very quick.

I did about 100 feet in about 5-8 minutes.

Step 3: Wind Your "String"

Wind up your stretched "string" I used the other blank spool that was in the cassette.

As you see in the one picture I barely went through the tape and already have a lot of "string"

Step 4: Build a Rope Making Jig

Here you need to make a "rope jig".

Hopefully the pictures show the jig I made in detail enough to "copy it".

Drill three holes in a line in one piece of wood.
Bend your metal rod into a hook shap and put it through the hole.
Bend the rod down.
Guesstimate or measure an amount before the next hole and bend 90 degrees.

Repeat this process for the other two "hook cranks"

Measure or guess the spacing for your hole on the other piece of wood.
Mark your spots and drill your three holes.
Push the second drilled piece of wood onto the 90 degree bent rods.

That is half of the rope making jig.

Second half is making one "hook crank" on another piece of wood.

Step 5: Create a Spacer

You will also need to make a spacer that keeps the three "strands" apart from each other while winding.

I cut out a circle from wood
Drilled three holes near the edges
Cut at an angle towards the drilled hole from the outside of the circle.
then sanded each "line holder" smooth
Also sanded all other edges to round

Step 6: Secure Your Jig

Now you need to secure your jig to something.

I only made a 5 foot rope here for testing purposes.

However you could set up your jig outside for 20,30,100 feet. How ever long you want your rope to be.

Step 7: Load Your Jig

Start by tying one end (of VHS string) to one of the hooks on the three hook jig.
Now lace it over to where (however far away) you put your other half of the jig.
Lace it back around to the same hook you tied on.
Do this as many times as you want for a stronger rope (I had six on each hook.)
Tie off that string to the hook when you have the amount of strings you want.

Repeat the this same process for the other two hooks.

Step 8: Operate Jig

Now you have your jig loaded and are ready to use it.

Moving the "handle" piece of wood up and down will turn the "hook cranks" which will be twisting your multiple strings together.

When the strings are twisted tight it is time to insert your "spacer" down at the other end where the "single hook crank" is.

Unfortunately this step needs another person to tun the single crank while you guide the "spacer back down the rope being formed. ::Note:: You do not need to pull the spacer. the tension being built up should be pushing it backwards. You are making sure it stays on, and not getting stuck.

Step 9: Whipping the Ends

Whip it... Whip it good!

Ha... Anyway tying up the ends is called whipping the end.

When your spacer is at the end (near the three "hook cranks") you need to whip the end. Or in other words. You have to tie the end so it doesn't unravel. Do this before you remove the "spacer"

After you whip both ends...[[ Important BOTH Ends ]] You can remove it from your jig by cutting after your whipped end.

Hopefully this picture helps with how to whip it.