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Thread: Boot Laces

  1. #1
    New Member devildoc's Avatar
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    Boot Laces

    I saw a bulk of boot lace with plastic heat shrink tips available online a while back but didn't get it. I can use accessory cord but i want to have the heat shrink ends to prevent fraying. Has anybody seen this anywhere? Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Arkwater's Avatar
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    Radio Shack or any other electronics store.

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    Senior Member GREEN THERAPY's Avatar
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    Try going to an electrical supply outlet or automotive parts supplier and they should have lengths of heat shrink tubing you could install on the ends of the light cord you are using for laces. The heat from a bic lighter waved under the shrink wrap will cause it to tighten on the cord.
    What I lack in knowledge I MORE than make up for with opinions.
    Green Therapy

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    Senior Member pure_mahem's Avatar
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    Heat shrink tubing is the best method. You can also just wrap the ends tightly with a piece of clear tape, like packing tape scotch tape works okay too. heat shrink is going to be the most durable though.

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    Senior Member Hooch's Avatar
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    Dunno the answer to that one, but, on a personal note, I want to welcome DevilDoc (Trail name Doc) to HF. I hope y'all will do the same. I've known DD since we were in service together, many years ago and he's still to this day my closest and most trusted friend. There is no better guy anywhere. Welcome aboard, DD!
    Last edited by Hooch; 10-20-2007 at 04:05.
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

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    Senior Member GREEN THERAPY's Avatar
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    Welcome DD... this is hammock boot camp ... and soon ya will have laces
    What I lack in knowledge I MORE than make up for with opinions.
    Green Therapy

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    slowhike's Avatar
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    welcome to HF Doc.
    i'm not sure what kind of cord you have, but most of the cord i have has a plastic likeness to it so it can be melted on the ends w/ a lighter & that will stop all fraying. ...tim
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  8. #8
    Senior Member Rat's Avatar
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    If just stopping fraying is the goal then "tipping" the laces is all you need to do; you can melt them or use super glue on the ends.

    However, if you want to replace the Aglet (the heat shrink end of the lace) then you have a couple of options.

    Obviously Aglets are essential if you need to lace through eyes on a regular basis, which is the main reason shoelaces have them, there are several commercially available options .

    1) Heat shrink tubing: it will not last as long as your original Aglets but it is quick, cheap and easy to find. Just look in the electrical section of your favorite home repair center or electronics outlet.

    2) Whipping: long used to keep ropes from fraying it also makes a very good Aglet on a shoelace. You can use almost any thin twine. I use mostly Dyneema in various colors because I have it (I also use it to build custom bowstrings) however you can use the PE strands from the guts of 550 chord or anything similar in size. You just need to learn the very easy Whiopping Knot (good for all your rope and cord). The good thing about whipping is you can make it as long or short as you please, and any color also. Done correctly whipping will outlast the life of the shoelace, and it can be performed in the field if needed.

    3) Aftermarket Aglets: Several kinds of aftermarket Aglets are also available, from the plastic melt-on kind (similar to heat shrink tube, but heavier) to the metal crimp-on kind.

    A) Plastic: obvoiusly you had plastic originally, and the aftermarket kind have the same shortcommings, short life span due to a number of things; but they are cheap, easy and come in many colors.

    B) Metal: While they are a little harder to install, if installed correctly will last the lifetime of the shoelace. They also come in several different colors and are about the same price as a pair of cheap shoelaces, but you generally get anywhere from two to four sets. Personally I don't like the metal kind because they flop arond alot and bang the top of my feet. While I am in no danger of being hurt by this, it is a littel irritating. You can alleviate this by pulling the bitter end through until the Aglet no longer flops but, if your laces are too long, then you have great big floppy loops, which also irritates me (and snags on stuff), as well as not having much prchase to untie your shoelaces. Just something to consider.

    This is proly waaaaaay more info then you ever thought you would get, but I ain't done yet. There is a super resource on the web for all things related to shoelaces. I found this site several years ago while researching the knot I use to tie my shoes with. I have used it since I was very young, I don't even remember learning it, and it isn't listed in the Ashley Book of Knots. I did find it tho, it is called the Ian Knot, (it is actually a sdouble slipped reef knot, but the method was not listed in ABoK) I also uncovered a superior way to tie slippery shoelaces called teh Ian Secure Shoelace knot (it really is secure and easy to untie!). There is also a wealth of other information, from history to alternate lacing methods on his site.

    So enjoy Ian's Shoelace Site!

    BTW, Welcome to the Hammock Forums
    Last edited by Rat; 10-20-2007 at 13:11.
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  9. #9
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forum devildoc!

  10. #10
    slowhike's Avatar
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    wow... it never ceases to amaze me how detailed the information can get on something considered so simple<g>.
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

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