I've recently added an "odd" item to my kit that I'm finding extremely useful - Electrical Lacing cord - aka "12 cord". OK - it's string, and we all know we should have that, but this stuff is NICE. It's a nice, anout 1/16th round polyester string (nylon and cotton also available, as are other diameters and FLAT) - but besides that, it's waxed. It keeps it on the roll, makes it hold knots well. Downside? Not cheap unless you can find it surplus - usually available it "natural" (aka white) and UV resistant black. BTW this is the stuff that was used pre "wire ties" and is still used today in a lot of places

Conduit pull cord is similar, very thin and strong and sharp. I have cut myself more than once with it.

Dental floss is pretty similar.

There is an order of magnitude difference between dental floss and "12 cord" Think wrapping 12 pieces of floss into a bundle, and you'll be close - now have a 400 yd spool of it
As for conduit pull cord - yeah, the larger sizes would be good - I usually have a ball of the yellow string around, but rarely have the blow through lighter gage stuff around

Isn't dental floss to be too weak to be useful?

Get the Goretex stuff, it's stronger. At the office where my wife works they get samples about the size of 2 nickels. I put them in the PSK. You can also buy the Goretex stuff.
Dave

"Electrical Lacing cord - aka 12 cord":

If this is what I think it is, ask your friendly phone company repairman for a chunk.

Sue

Susan,
Yep - that's the stuff - the telco uses it. I get it from the cable company guy <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The strength of dental floss varies greatly. I've got some waxed grocery-store-brand (Food Lion IIRC) stuff that is very strong. After removing it from its plastic case it is a much smaller item.

BTW waxed line is great for whipping the ends of ropes. Whipping is a good skill in its own right. Here's a nice animated graphic on how to do it:

http://www.goddardkansas.us/troop776/whipping.html

Steve

I went looking for 12 cord, without success. I did find "fishing" cord, for pulling wires etc...it said it was mildew, moisture and Uv resistant. it sure looked like Masons twine. Do you folks know how the fishing twine and masons twine compare to each other and the 12 cord? TIA