Why is this not allowed? How else are teams expected to prevent fraying cords and ropes. Obviously you could use tape, but it isn’t nearly as professional or permanent as burning the end. I think it’s a stupid rule. I get that the rule helps to prevent fires in the pit and things like that, but these teams are trusted with many more dangerous tools and equipment than a lighter.
If open flames were allowed in the pit then time is added into the safety theater encounters that I do so loathe. I’m fine with the tape. It is weird though that someone hasn’t made a monopoly out of a flame free solution to this problem.
Can’t you use an old soldering iron?
Yes a sodering iron will work fine for rope or webbing. You can also get a special “hot knife” designed for that purpose. Like this one
Very good advice. Will consider this for the future.
Based on what I’ve seen from many teams, with regards to their work habits and work environment in the pits, I for one am completely in favor of the rule.
Or soak the end in glue. Also have used heat shrink tubing.
Emphatically seconded
Butane powered soldering irons are also good. They usually have a hot knife bit and a hot air bit that gets melting things hot. They get around the open flame rule since they’re run off a catalyst once they heat up.
As for the rule itself, I don’t think there’s any other power tool a team could currently use that could actually being down an entire event. Not without serious misuse. A propane torch pointed the wrong way could quickly shut the entire event down.
We’ve recently discovered this works great for polycord: http://www.amazon.com/858D-Station-Soldering-Display-Nozzles/dp/B009PPRJHS
I happened to have one and brought it in. You might try it on cord or rope. But if you do get one, I HIGHLY recommend making a modification for safety’s sake. They wired the neutral wire to the fuse rather than the hot, so even if your fuse blows, you still have 110V running through your unit.
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Yes.
Try soaking about an inch long section with superglue. When the glue is set, cut the cord with a sharp implement.
We have a DIY nichrome wire cutter that cuts rope for us and cauterizes the end at the same time. Great tool.
Costs about $10 to make; just a power supply and nichrome wire.
Yeah, uh, I’m going to agree with the majority here-- while there are some teams I would trust to safely have an open flame in their pits, I’m not sure I could say that about the majority or even many teams. Heck, I’m not sure I’d trust myself to be safe with fire in the pits, and I was a scout for almost ten years. Also, consider the many teams that have big, potentially flammable banners in their pits… In close proximity to other pits… Yeah, I like the no open flames rule.
And then there’s the off-chance that somebody tries to fuse a rope that isn’t plastic-type. Read: Is flammable, not meltable.
Not fun.
Still not legal as they require an open flame to start up. Otherwise, they’d be great for pit use.
Yep. Due to safety, insurance, and a million other things including common sense is why we have this rule 
Nope! They make piezo-electric self-starters now:
Weller Portsol PSI100K
Weller P2KC Pro Piezo Kit Cordless
I’ve got the PSI100K. You really think I’d mention them if they weren’t 100% legal? I mean, provided you don’t use them in flame-thrower mode.