2 logging questions

[bopdoc]

1. Anybody know where to get material that looks like scale 1" wire rope, as used on logging highlines? 2. I just finished building Ozark Miniatures' winch engine with haulback, but I don't know how to rig it with wire rope(if I can ever get the stuff). Obviously, the haulback rope ran off into the woods to some pulley on a tree; but where was the rope for the capstan stored? Inside of the drum? Thanks.

[odyssey]

you could try guitar or mandolin strings - the heavier looking coiled ones used for lower notes.

They should appear to be braided cable unless inspected very closely.

Barry

[NORCAL LOGGER]

To find the "wire rope" try Jo-ann's Fabrics or some other fabric store they usually carry thread/string of a size that will work.  Don't look in the thread rack it is usually kept seperate from the sewing thread.   You can dye it with black leather dye or ink. 

 As for rigging the Dolbeer it depends some on the era of your operation.  Early on (1800's)  they used heavy Manilla rope instead of wire rope and the line was hauled back into the woods by horse or mule.  The advent of the haulback drum put the horse out of work unless they needed him for water. 

 "where was the rope for the capstan stored? Inside of the drum? Thanks."

 

No.  The drum that I think your refering to was just a sheet metal cover over the bull gear that drove the capstan.  The rope weather manilla or wire was carfully coiled on the ground (usually in a figure eight pattern) beside the sled as it was brought by the capstan. 

The haul back line ran from the haulback drum to a block  (called a block never a pully) attached to a tree or stump and then was hooked to the last log on the turn.  As the turn was pulled in by the load line (around the capstan) the haulback drum fee wheeled to play out the line so it could follow the logs in. 

When the logs arrived at the landing and were rolled from the chute the haulback line was attached to the load line and pulled the load line back into the woods. 

Hope this helps some

Rick

[ttrigg]

You night go by your local fishing supply store. Have a look at "SpiderWire" 60 or 80 pound line. It is a woven thread, is colored a dark green, very flexible, could easily pass for wire rope.

[Rene Schweitzer]

To build on what Norcal suggested, try looking in the crochet area of a craft store. Crochet "thread" comes in various weights, usually white and made from cotton but it can be dyed or painted.

[captain perry]

I got some 1/16" dia twisted nylon string from my local hardware store.  might be a bit large but is a very passable scale 1-1/4" rope or cable.  it can be stained or painted

[gtrainman1]

Steel wire fishing leaders found in your favorite fishing department.

[bopdoc]

Thanks for all the tips, especially Norcal's info. re: how the steam donkey actually operated. I got some thread about the right size, now to dye/paint it...Thanks again!