CAUTIONSnapback is extremely dangerous and hascaused severe injuries and death. The utmostcaution must be observed when working withor around all synthetic lines.WIRE ROPEThe basic unit of wire rope construction is theindividual wire, which is made of steel or other metaland comes in various sizes. These wires are laid togetherto form strands. The number of wires in a strand variesaccording to the purpose of the rope. A number ofstrands are laid together to form the wire rope itself.Wire rope is designated by the number of strandsper rope and the number of wires per strand. Forexample, a 6 by 19 rope will have 6 strands with 19wires per strand. It may have the same outside diameteras a 6 by 37 wire rope, which will have 6 strands with 37wires of much smaller size per strand. The more wiresper strand, the more flexible the rope. Rope with fewerand larger wires per strand is more resistant to externalabrasion.The strands of the wire rope are laid up around acentral core, which may be only a single wire, a singlestrand of wire, or hemp. A hemp core contributesflexibility, cushions the strands as the wire ropecontracts under strain, and holds a portion of lubricantfor continuous lubrication. A wire core is stronger thanhemp and can be used where conditions, such as hightemperatures, would damage a hemp core.WHIPPINGSWhippings are bindings on the ends of rope thatkeep the rope from unlaying. On line, whippings aremade with cord, such as sail twine or with marline. Theends of all line must be whipped because of the frequentneed for passing the ends through rings and pad eyesand for reeving them through blocks. Unlaid and frayedends of line are unsightly and unseamanlike and wastemany feet of line. Knots or backsplices in the end of aline are not allowed, nor are friction tape or wirewhippings. Knots and backsplices will jam in a block;friction tape will not hold for long; and wire may tear aline-handler’s hands.The most secure whipping is made with the aid of asail needle and palm. However, an excellent whippingcan be made without a needle if the procedure shown infigure 7-14 is followed. First, lay one end of thewhipping along the line, bind it down with a couple ofturns, and snug up the edges. Then lay the other end onin an opposite direction with the body portion of thewhipping, continuing with several more turns from thebight of the whipping. The whipping length should beabout equal to the diameter of the line being whipped.Snug up the edges and cut off the twine close to the line.This type of whipping is a temporary one. If the line is to7-14Student Notes:Figure 7-14.—Plain whipping a line.
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