Article Written by Jeff Nisley — Method graciously shared by Don DeLoach

There are benefits to “Roping” or “Pre-winding” rubber motors for rubber powered model aircraft. This can allow a longer motor to be used and it also helps to prevent slackening when the motor winds in the fuselage.

Here is a technique to braid motors that was inspired by a lesson that Don DeLoach gave to members of the HAFFA group at the 2017 Marion Spring National Contest in Marion KS, June 4, 2017.

This article, shown at left can be downloaded as a PDF and printed for your reference. Click on the thumbnail or the link at left to go to the PDF:

Begin the braiding process by tying the ends of the strips in a simple overhand knot as shown in Fig. 1. It is essential that the rubber has had no prior lube applied to it. Using some spit, tighten the knot as tight as you can get it, just short of breaking as shown in Fig. 2. The spit will evaporate. Finish the knot by by using a simple “T” knot (Fig. 3.) and again using spit, tighten it to near breaking.

Don explained that the tightness was essential and that because the two knots oppose each other, the knot should not come apart. Cut off the excess rubber as shown in Fig. 4.

Next is a tip we’ve never considered before. When Don braids his motors he rotates the knot a couple of inches from the end so as not to be near the stress point of the rear motor peg (Fig. 5).

Continuing on, grab the top of the loop as shown in Fig 5. and fold the loop exactly in half and mark the center point of with a Magic Marker “Sharpie”on each of the two strands as shown at left. Unfold the loop and place the knot end on a winding peg and the other on the hook of your winder, keeping the two center marks on the rubber strands lined up with each other. Now put some winds on the loop going Clockwise. This is important as will be explained later. 60 to 75 winds are sufficient or 4 to 5 turns on a 15:1 winder.

The next step is to release the loop from your winder and place this end on the winding peg, keeping everything taught. Finding the center marks of the twisted strand, place this part of the strand in the hook of your winder. As a result of this, you will now find that you have two side by side strands of twisted rubber approx 20” long.

Note: Having in the past braided rubber motors counter-clockwise, we were surprised to hear that the next directive from Don was to again turn the winder in the Clockwise direction to complete the braiding process. As before, 20 to 25 winds does the trick. Magically the two twisted strands seem to braid themselves into the final form.

To finish the braided motor, each end must have a small rubber band wound around the ends of the rubber strands to keep everything from undoing itself say ½” to 3/4” as shown at left. (A good size and source for these can be ordered from Amazon—five packages of 100 1/4” medium dental bands for just under $7. Share the packages with your buddies.) Don’t make these very tight, just enough to keep the ends from unraveling.