A very hot 200 watt soldering iron (a big one, such as a Sears soldering iron)
with a wedge-tip is indeed a much more effective tool for sealing the end of
dacron rope. The ideas of using clear tape or heat-shrink are good ones, too.
The big, hot soldering iron enables you to QUICKLY seal the end of the
rope, thereby avoiding the big-blob problem created by zippo lighters and the
like. Also, the big soldering iron is able to 'customize' the shape of
your rope
end. For example, you can make the end 'pointy' if you like.
Little, flaky 25 watt soldering irons or guns will not do the job very well.
73
Dale K5MM
Lyn, W4WDN, wrote.......
>A hot knife (or a hot knife blade for a hefty solder gun) works better
>than a torch or cigarette lighter. I'll second the motion about NOT
>touching it for a long time after you have removed the heat.
--
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