4 Strand Rope / Cord Making Machine

Create Perfect 4-Strand Rope & Decorative Cord — Smooth, Consistent, Reliable

This compact rope-making machine is engineered for makers, knot-crafters and ropework enthusiasts who want professional, even, beautifully laid cord every time. Designed, tested and manufactured by a knot-craft enthusiast , this machine is ideal for lanyards, bell-ropes, fenders, key fobs, decorative cordage and ropework experiments.

Built around precision Mod 1 gears and dual-bearing support on every rotating part, it runs smoothly under load and delivers consistent twist across your entire rope length.

What’s Included:

Rope-making head (4 hooks)

Follower

Mounting plate for the head

High-quality ball-bearing swivel for clean rope lay

Optional:
Tailstock (highly recommended for longer or tighter builds) — helps maintain tension and is ideal for makers producing longer cord runs.

⚙️ Technical Specifications
Rope Size Range

Produces 4-strand cord from approx. 2–8 mm, depending on input material.

Gear System

1 × Mod 1 — 100-tooth main gear

4 × Mod 1 — 25-tooth hook gears
Synchronized for even twist on all strands.

Bearings

All rotating parts are bearing-mounted for smooth, low-friction operation.

Materials

Printed in high-strength, high-infill engineering-grade PLA.
Tested for repeated rope runs and designed for long life.

Drive

Designed for use with a standard cordless drill.

🧰 What You Can Make

Perfect for making cord for:

Lanyards & key fobs

Bell-ropes

Scout projects

Decorative cord for craft, nautical work and knot tying

Rope experiments for makers and hobbyists

Teaching rope-making basics

📝 How to Use

Mount the head securely to your bench or work surface using a clamp or the screw holes in the base. (The base fits the other rope-making machines I sell.)

Load your three strands of cordage into the hooks.

Apply your weight or tailstock tension — start with about 200 g and adjust as needed.

Drive the machine using a drill at a low, controlled speed.

Move the follower smoothly toward the head as the rope begins to lay.

If everything is set up correctly, you'll find the follower begins to move itself toward the head.

Simple, fast, repeatable.

Why This Machine?

Because I specialise in ropework tools, this machine is engineered for consistent results, not just novelty.
Every gear, bearing and tension point has been chosen to prevent binding, uneven twist or follower chatter.

You get a stable, reliable rope maker that produces clean results without fuss.

If you'd like a matching 6-strand or 4-strand machine as well, see my shop.