Paracord Bracelet Milk Crate Jig

Intro: Paracord Bracelet Milk Crate Jig

This instructable will have you making custom length 550 paracord bracelets in no time.

Things you will need:

1 - Milk Crate or similar rigid box
2 - Canopy Tent Bungee Ball Ties (or heavy duty rubber bands)
1 - Pair of Fastex Side Release Buckles (size of your choosing)


Bonus items you may want:

Containers to hold your 550 Paracord
Containers to hold your Fastex Buckles
Brass Grommets
Sharp Scissors
Lighter or similar heat source
Ruler
Forceps
Small waste container for clipping and mis-burnt ends

STEP 1: Set Up the Bungee Ball and Fastex Buckle...

To set up your milk crate jig, take one side of the Fastex buckles (I've used the male side in this photo) and thread the canopy tarp bungee ball through the buckle. If you don't have any of these or can not find them at your local hardware store, you can use heavy duty rubber bands in their place.

STEP 2: Attach Bungee Ball to the Milk Crate...

Pass the bungee cord through the milk crate handle and over the ball end. If you want this to be a little more permanent than how I have it, you can use a zip tie around the end of the bungee that slipped over the ball so that it won't come off.

Perform the same process on the opposite side of the milk crate using the remaining matched Fastex buckle.  These will be a part of your jig and when it comes time to make a bracelet, you will need another set of fastex buckles.

STEP 3: Get Ready to Make a 550 Paracord Bracelet...

To use this jig, I insert a fresh pair of Fastex buckles into the ones attached to the bungee ball cords.  These will be the ones that you will be tying your 550 paracord to and will be part of the finished product.

STEP 4: Measure Out the Amount of Paracord You Will Need...

Start to wrap the 550 paracord around your ruler. In the photo, I have 7 feet wrapped. Wrap to your desired length and cut.  Melt the ends.

STEP 5: Start Tying Your Bracelet...

Make a bight in the center of your paracord and insert it through the bottom of the lower Fastex buckle.

STEP 6: Making the Larks Head Knot...

Thread the working end of the paracord through the "eye" of the bight in the lower buckle.  Pull this knot tight.

STEP 7: The Top Buckle

Thread the working end of the paracord through the top Fastex buckle. I like to insert from the bottom but it really doesn't matter.

STEP 8: The "Pully" System

Pull the working end towards the bottom Fastex buckle and measure the length for your final sized bracelet.  I used to have a hard time tying the first knot and locking in my final length, so I used a pair of forceps to clamp the four paracords together. This made it a lot easier to start my first knot. Once you have that, you can remove the forceps.

STEP 9: Tie, Tie, Tie...

Tie whatever knot you want and finish the ends by clipping and burning/melting.

That's it. Simple.

You don't have to use a milk crate. I just happen to have one. You can make a wooden box or whatever. 
As long as whatever you use, make sure it is strong enough to hold the tension that will be placed on the sides of the box by the elastic bungee ball ties.

Now you try!

Click "Next Step" to see optional accessories...

STEP 10: Containers...

I use empty "Mixed Nuts" containers to hold my 550 paracord in. When I get a new hank of paracord, I unwrap it and lay it out on the floor, from one end of my house to the other in several long loops.  I start by pushing one end into the plastic container then keep feeding it until there is no more to feed. I take the end of the paracord and push though the gromment hole in the container's lid and attach it with the brass clip. Now whenever I need a length of paracord, I can pull it up and out of the container without any fear of knots or tangles.

STEP 11: More Containers...

I have been keeping peanut butter jars for years. I must have a few hundred in my shed holding nuts, bolts, washers, screws, etc...

It was only logical for me to use a peanut butter jar to hold my Fastex buckles.

STEP 12: Tool Holder...

I used two pieces of PVC pipe attached to the milk crate to hold my scissors and lighter.

Comments

[powers2008]

I loved being able to find this for a home made version Jig. It will be very helpful. :) What I am wondering is what size grommets did you use for the paracord jars?

[ScoutDadNC]

I like this. Not only did you show the crate, but you also showed the containers. I was going to ask about them.

[Blue Hawaii]

Thank you very much. I'm glad it has been a help to you.

[zzzjayjayzzz]

You sir, are a genius! I was all set to build myself a wooden jig to help me make bracelets. I had the wood picked out, had the plans ready and had resigned myself to endure all the sweating, bleeding & swearing that would inevitably accompany the project, when I saw your post. Such a simple idea, using a ready-made container as the jig & storage unit in one, absolute genius. All I need to do is pick up a couple of bungee straps, attach them to a plastic storage box that I've got lying around my place and I'm all ready to churn out those bracelets by the dozen. You have saved me time, energy, money and probably my sanity. You are a gentleman & a scholar. Huli pau!

[Blue Hawaii]

Aloha mfitspatrick4,

I start by placing a bight in my 550 paracord exactly in the middle of it's length. I insert that bight through my Fastex buckle that is on the bottom of the jig and tie it to the buckle using a Lark's head knot. Then I inset both working ends of the paracord through the Fastex buckle on the top part of the jig and pull them back towards the bottom buckle like it was a pulley. It is at this point that I use my ruler to measure the length between the two Fastex buckles. If the bracelet is to have a final measurement of 7-1/2", then I pull or slack the paracord until the two bracelet buckles are 7-1/2" away from each other. Once I'm happy with my measurement, I start tying my knots, forming the bracelet. In the beginning, I had a hard time holding my final measurement and getting the first knot tied. I used a pair of forceps to "pinch" the paracord to the upper buckle, then made my first knot.

I hope this helps, if not, let me know. Mahalo!

[mfitzpatrick4]

How do you determine the proper length of paracord for your bracelets? By the way I am really digging the organization and simplicity of this set up!!

[mvpkaleman7]

Great idea I just got into the whole para cord bracelets

[Blue Hawaii]

Great! Thank you very much and welcome aboard!