Polycord welding

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by Dad1279

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/37270

Thanks a bunch for the pic. It's worth a 1000 words.

[blackrocks0]

I did a few polycord connections for a roller claw, I just used a lighter (wear gloves for it), melted the 2 ends, and put them together with out a jig. Also, don't put any tension of the poly cord while you melt/cool it. Also make slightly angled cuts at the connection ends of your poly cord so you have more surface area on the connection (the angle should extend about 1/8 in from the edge of the cord)

[KennyLives]

Originally Posted by Scott L.

http://www.fennerdrives.com/eagle_po...ding_kits.aspx

You could also use a hot razor blade, place the two ends oposite each other on the blade, apply inward pressure until the two ends are melted and remove the blade, keeping the 2 ends pressed together for 5min, or whatever your belting requires.

This is what I've always done. It works nicely, if done carefully.

[Bob Steele]

Originally Posted by Scott L.

http://www.fennerdrives.com/eagle_po...ding_kits.aspx

You could also use a hot razor blade, place the two ends oposite each other on the blade, apply inward pressure until the two ends are melted and remove the blade, keeping the 2 ends pressed together for 5min, or whatever your belting requires.

We purchased the minibutt welding unit... never had a weld or a cord break...
I am sure you can do the same by hand but the little clamp in that kit makes it easier to push the ends together properly...

You can purchase the clamp by itself and use your own heater and snippers to trim back to diameter.

I like the clamp... it is easy to use and costs about $80

You can certainly make your own...
Teams do this lots of ways... practice a little bit and you will be fine...

[Jeff Rodriguez]

We simply use a spackel knife, and a torch.
Secure the spackel knife in a vise. Heat it with the torch. Touch the ends of the polycord to the hot knife until they melt. Slide them up the knife and press them together.
Easy and effective. We've never had a cord break during competition.

[Aren_Hill]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

4: Use a thin flat plate or blade that is hot (like a soldering iron tip) to put between the cut ends, then just pull it away when you have good melting. Heat gun won't work.
5. Once it reaches room temperature it is as strong as it will ever be. Don't need to wait hours. After pressing together, cool it with a little water, no need to wait minutes.

I have had success using a heat gun to weld polycord, I basically choose my method depending on what i can find that gets hot, usually don't have an alignment jig, just by hand.