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#198674 - 03/22/10 08:29 PM Threading paracord into cordlocks
James_Van_Artsdalen Offline
Addict

Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 449
Loc: Texas
How does someone with only two hands and fat, clumsy fingers thread paracord through a cordlock?

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#198694 - 03/22/10 11:08 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: James_Van_Artsdalen]
jzmtl Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/18/10
Posts: 530
Loc: Montreal Canada
You need to melt the end and make sort of a pointy end.

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#198707 - 03/22/10 11:41 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: jzmtl]
Art_in_FL Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/01/07
Posts: 2432
Good question. If the fit is tight, and it is better if it is, it can be difficult. Last time I faced the situation I clamped the cord-lock in a vice to grip it and hold the hole open, and used a small screwdriver to stuff the cords through.

Cinch cords and cord locks are a handy addition to many pieces of clothing. I have bought inexpensive fleece pieces and threaded cinch cords through hems and ended up with a piece as good as one much more expensive. The tops are warmer if you can snug up the bottom hem and the pants benefit from adding cords to the feet.

I like the process of modifying my gear so I save money and get what I want. Adding cinch cords and locks, adding Velcro to sleeves, installing zippers for ventilation, and stitching on pockets are all easy modifications.

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#198712 - 03/23/10 12:22 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: Art_in_FL]
KenK Offline
"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2211
Loc: NE Wisconsin
As I recall, I learned this at lighthound.com ...

1. Obtain a plastic drinking straw larger in diameter than the cord. Last I knew, McDonalds has some really wide straws, if needed.

2. Cut one end at a sharp angle with a very sharp knife or scissors - so its really really pointy.

3. Cut across the non-pointy end of the straw to shorten it to about 3" long.

4. Use the knife or scissors to slit the straw open lengthwise on the side opposite the point tip.

5. Spread the straw open and insert the end of the cord into the straw with the cord trailing out the non-pointy end. The straw should close around the cord.

6. While holding the non-pointy end of the straw firmly, insert the pointy end of the straw into the cord lock hole and push the cord into the cord lock. At some point you should be able to pinch the straw and pull it and the cord through the cable lock.


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#198714 - 03/23/10 12:28 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: KenK]
Byrd_Huntr Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 01/28/10
Posts: 1174
Loc: MN, Land O' Lakes & Rivers ...
Originally Posted By: KenK
As I recall, I learned this at lighthound.com ...

1. Obtain a plastic drinking straw larger in diameter than the cord. Last I knew, McDonalds has some really wide straws, if needed.

2. Cut one end at a sharp angle with a very sharp knife or scissors - so its really really pointy.

3. Cut across the non-pointy end of the straw to shorten it to about 3" long.

4. Use the knife or scissors to slit the straw open lengthwise on the side opposite the point tip.

5. Spread the straw open and insert the end of the cord into the straw with the cord trailing out the non-pointy end. The straw should close around the cord.

6. While holding the non-pointy end of the straw firmly, insert the pointy end of the straw into the cord lock hole and push the cord into the cord lock. At some point you should be able to pinch the straw and pull it and the cord through the cable lock.



A McFid!!!
_________________________
The man got the powr but the byrd got the wyng

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#198716 - 03/23/10 01:14 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: Byrd_Huntr]
Art_in_FL Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/01/07
Posts: 2432
Quote:
A McFid!!!


Good call.

A trick I've used when threading cords through hems is to use a piece of music wire, available at any hobby shop, and to rough one end up with a file and roll over the opposite end. The rolled end pushes easy through hems and prevent stabbing yourself if you have to force it.

I attach it to the cord by gooping it with superglue and jabbing it down the center-line from the cut end. The excess squeezed out is used to form the end so it tapers. Liquid superglue works best for the first part and gel for the second. In a pinch I have used electrical tape to form the taper.

The piece of wire can then be threaded anywhere you need it. Once through you cut off the glue soaked cord. The wire can be reused by scraping it with a knife.

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#198720 - 03/23/10 01:55 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: Art_in_FL]
Susan Offline
Geezer

Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
Cut the cord at an angle, don't burn it, coat the tip with hot candle wax. As the wax cools enough, smooth/squeeze the tip into a point.

Sue

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#198733 - 03/23/10 07:54 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: Susan]
MostlyHarmless Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 06/03/09
Posts: 982
Loc: Norway
Or skip the "cord lock" and just use the cord and tie a knot. If you need something more substantial to grab tie a big fat juicy knot.

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#198735 - 03/23/10 08:59 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: MostlyHarmless]
EMPnotImplyNuclear Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 382
SUPERGLUE

Get a superglue squeeze bottle and generously drown the end, then snip with scissors as pointy as you need, saw it on a video for the JT handle Wrap (see the 2nd Amendment from jtcustomknives)

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#198747 - 03/23/10 01:13 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: EMPnotImplyNuclear]
chaosmagnet Offline
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3842
Loc: USA
I have a pair of needle-nose pliers I use for this. With the pliers open and the cord lock being held open, I use one jaw of the pliers to poke the paracord as far through as it will go. I let the cord lock close, change my grip around, and then grab the end of the paracord with the pliers. Then I open the cord lock and pull.

It's easier to do than to describe.


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#198753 - 03/23/10 02:59 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: chaosmagnet]
rebwa Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 01/25/09
Posts: 295
I too cut it at an angle, burn the ends, and then use tweezers or needle nose pliers. For lanyards I prefer to take the inner core out first, which helps a little with the threading. For neck lanyards I never knot and use the plastic stops that hopefully would break.

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#198782 - 03/23/10 10:08 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: James_Van_Artsdalen]
Hanscom Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 11/23/05
Posts: 86
Since I usually want a loop on the other side of the cordlock I put a piece of wire through the doubled cord, feed the ends of the wire back through the cordlock and pull the paracord through.

If you want only a single length you could do the same and then pull the free end of the paracord through after.

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#198874 - 03/24/10 05:43 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: Hanscom]
James_Van_Artsdalen Offline
Addict

Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 449
Loc: Texas
Thanks! Lots of ideas here, most of which do not seem to require that I sprout a third hand first.

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#198879 - 03/24/10 06:35 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: James_Van_Artsdalen]
Compugeek Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 08/09/09
Posts: 392
Loc: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted By: James_Van_Artsdalen
Thanks! Lots of ideas here, most of which do not seem to require that I sprout a third hand first.


But . . . it would be so useful!


Edited by Compugeek (03/24/10 06:35 PM)
_________________________
Okey-dokey. What's plan B?

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#198881 - 03/24/10 07:07 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: rebwa]
GauchoViejo Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 94
Loc: Argentina
Originally Posted By: rebwa
. For neck lanyards I never knot and use the plastic stops that hopefully would break.

For an easy break joint, this is what I do:
1)Take an empty .22 shell and cut off the head
2)Insert each end of the cord into each end of the shell
3)Crush shell with pliers and hammer it down

The cord is now retained inside the shell by friction only and offers no danger of hanging yourself.

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#198882 - 03/24/10 07:09 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: GauchoViejo]
RobertRogers Offline
Survivor
Member

Registered: 12/12/06
Posts: 198
I cut the cord at a 45 degree angle so that the end it pointy.

You can also remove a inch or so of the inner strands so that the end of the cord is not so fat.

Can also melt the tip in a flame to make a hard point.
_________________________
FireSteel.com

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#199394 - 04/01/10 01:32 AM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: James_Van_Artsdalen]
kevingg Offline
Addict

Registered: 10/21/05
Posts: 442
Loc: NH
melt the ends w/ lighter, wait a couple seconds, wet your fingers, then grab and twist the still melted (and HOT) ends to a point.

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#199510 - 04/02/10 02:56 PM Re: Threading paracord into cordlocks [Re: kevingg]
Compugeek Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 08/09/09
Posts: 392
Loc: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted By: kevingg
melt the ends w/ lighter, wait a couple seconds, wet your fingers, then grab and twist the still melted (and HOT) ends to a point.


I hate blobs on the ends of cords, but for me, at least, this just leads to burnt fingers. If I wait for it to cool enough not to get burnt, even with wet fingers, it's too cool to form properly.

So I use the side of the lighter and a suitable surface to roll the hot blob down into an end piece.
_________________________
Okey-dokey. What's plan B?

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