I am currently looking for the company that supplies colored soft
polypropylene rope to rope sandal makers such as - Gurkee, Nomadic
State of Mind, Dave's Discount Sandals, and Ozark sandals. If the
exact company cannot be found, I would like to know where I could
purchase this type of rope. I am also looking for a step by step guide
to making these sandals. I can break these questions into two parts if
need be. I already know the basics of how the sandals are made, but
would like to know about tooling and equipment required. The source of
the Poly rope is the most importand question though.
thanks
jstreet |
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
28 Apr 2004 17:01 PDT
Hello -
I have an answer for your polypropylene rope question. For the other
question, it's probably best to find a manufacturing consultant who
you could pay to design a manufacturing line and/or advise equipment
for the task. I could possibly find someone like that, but let me
know how you'd like me to proceed.
Thank you,
jbf777
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Clarification of Question by
jinx22630-ga
on
28 Apr 2004 17:19 PDT
The rope supplier has been the biggest hurdle for me. I've been
searching for almost three weeks, and I've also broken down and called
a few of the companies, but to no avail. The poly rope in question is
very soft and silky yet resistant to abrasion, and comes in a variety
of colors. But the main thing is, is that it has to be Polypropylene
in order to heat bond it together. If you can tell me the supplier of
the rope or someone who can supply somthing identical, then I will
take that as the answer.
thanks
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Clarification of Question by
jinx22630-ga
on
28 Apr 2004 17:28 PDT
I can also clarify a bit further by saying that I've checked out every
rope supplier and manufacturer that I could find search engine entries
for. I'm sure you know that I'm not looking for the regular type of
poly rope that you can get at the hardware store.
once again, thank you you for your help on this matter.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
28 Apr 2004 19:33 PDT
jinx22630-ga -
There's a company called RJ Manufacturing in California that supplies
this kind of polypropylene rope. The rep I spoke to said a
multifilament rope is most likely best, as this is the soft type.
They offer 29 different colors with a variety of braids/weaves and
thicknesses. They have a $50 minimum order. If you like, you can
actually send them a small piece of sample rope and they will
match/replicate it.
RJ Manufacturing has been in business for over 20 years.
RJ Manufacturing
Turlock, CA 95380
(209) 632-9708
Search strategy:
Retrieved contact information through another manufacturer.
There may be dozens of potential suppliers in the Thomas Register:
http://www.thomasregister.com/SearchListing.aspx?pn=69231207&search_type=product&search_string=polypropylene+rope&sid=0404281926520100049911LW8&uuid=TRGuest
Please let me know if you need any clarification, or if this supplier
won't work, prior to rating this answer.
Thank you,
jbf777
|
jinx22630-ga -
There's a company called RJ Manufacturing in California that supplies
this kind of polypropylene rope. The rep I spoke to said a
multifilament rope is most likely best, as this is the soft type.
They offer 29 different colors with a variety of braids/weaves and
thicknesses. They have a $50 minimum order. If you like, you can
actually send them a small piece of sample rope and they will
match/replicate it.
RJ Manufacturing has been in business for over 20 years.
RJ Manufacturing
Turlock, CA 95380
(209) 632-9708
Search strategy:
Retrieved contact information through another manufacturer.
There may be dozens of potential suppliers in the Thomas Register:
http://www.thomasregister.com/SearchListing.aspx?pn=69231207&search_type=product&search_string=polypropylene+rope&sid=0404281926520100049911LW8&uuid=TRGuest
Please let me know if you need any clarification, or if this supplier
won't work, prior to rating this answer.
Thank you,
jbf777 |
Request for Answer Clarification by
jinx22630-ga
on
28 Apr 2004 20:53 PDT
I'm going to give them a call in the morning. I couldn't find an
actual web site for the company, but will call nonetheless. I will
rate the answer in the morning when I speeak to the company. Thank you
once again for the attention.
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 07:32 PDT
If after you speak to the company, you don't think they will work, let
me know before rating the answer, and I'll see what I can do.
Also, they don't have a website as of yet.
Thanks,
jbf
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
jinx22630-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 10:08 PDT
I don't think that this company is going to be the one. They're
machine to make the type of rope that I need is in "Retirement" and
they aren't sure if it's worth it to them to pull it out for a limited
run. I actually spoke with someone from Ozark Sandals yesterday to
discuss the supplier of their rope.
The owner was not in but the person I talked to seemed to think that
the owner would give me the name of the supplier. You may have better
luck there than me.
Nonetheless I'm not really sure that RJ manufaturing is going to solve
my rope problems though.
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 10:15 PDT
Can you tell me what thickness you're looking to make, and at what quantity?
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
jinx22630-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 11:55 PDT
I could actually email you a picture of one if you'd like. That might
clear up any questions.
As far as quantity goes, I would like to go into full production of
two different colors and stylesfor now, adding additional colors and
styles as things progress. I have the manufaturing process down now,
and the only thing holding up production is a reliable supplier who
can meet all of my needs.
thanks
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 12:51 PDT
This is it in orange, right?
http://www.davesdiscount.com/orange.jpg
I have talked to several manufacturers and wholesalers this morning.
It seems the type of rope you're looking for, as confirmed by a few
individuals, is specifically called "Twisted Multifilament
Polypropylene," and it is extremely rare.
Twisted => spiral look
Multifilament => softness
When you say "full production," what would that translate to
quantity-wise? I talked to RJ Manufacturing again, and this seems to
be the main issue with them. To reiterate, the obstacle here is in
the twisting machine, which they would need to bring out into the
production floor. In order for it to be worth their while, they need
to be able produce a certain quantity to set up their shop for the
process.
Alternatively, without much ado, he could make the same rope in lower
quantities and multiple colors, but with a braiding process instead,
which he informs me is of a higher quality. It would look like a
spiral if you used two different colors in the braid, it would also
give your product a uniqueness from a marketing standpoint.
I have found a company called Continental Western which has the color
yellow in stock (twisted) at 3/16 inch diameter, and would be able to
get additional colors at quantities of 1000's of lbs.
Contact John at 800-843-0855.
I'm waiting to hear back from another source as well.
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 15:40 PDT
This looks like the rope right here, again in yellow:
http://www.peaktrading.com/productpages/default.aspx?ProductPageId=1759
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 16:06 PDT
With the sandal manufacturers you mention, there's probably a very
good chance this rope is being sourced overseas. Here's a
manufacturer in Greece:
Under "PP MULTIFILAMENT ROPE"
http://www.plasterco.gr/products-en.htm
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 16:10 PDT
Here's another in Singapore:
http://www.shuangmatrading.com/pages/Wire%20Fiber.html
Direction of Twist: S, Z type, Plaited, Hollow etc
Degree of Lay(twist): Soft, Medium, Hard
Length: Meter, Foot
Colour: Any
Put-up: Coil, Spool(Reel), Hank
Strand: 3,4,6,8 etc
Standard: DIN, KS, MIL, ISO, Lloyd's, BSS, ABS, ASTM etc
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Request for Answer Clarification by
jinx22630-ga
on
29 Apr 2004 20:59 PDT
As far as quantity goes, I'd need several thousand feet.
While I do agree with you, that braided might be the way to as far as
setting my sandals apart from the rest, the only problem is that I've
made several pairs out of the braided rope, and it tends to snag a bit
more.
I've email a photo of a pair of sandals to Rick at RJ and he's
supposed to mail me back and let me know what he thinks.
I just keep thinking in the back of my mind, that there is a reason
that all the other sandalmakers use this particular type of rope.
I'll talk to rick again tommorow and see what he thinks.
Plus it would not be good if I ordered this rope from overseas, and I
turns out to be wrong. I would like to find a US manufacturer.
Once again, thank you for all your help on this, hopefully by
tommorrow we'll have this all sorted out.
j
|
Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
30 Apr 2004 07:50 PDT
>Once again, thank you for all your help on this, hopefully by
>tommorrow we'll have this all sorted out.
No problem.
I believe it's always best to support American manufacturers when
possible. If you can't get it here, then for overseas buying, the
first thing to do would be to order samples from the manufacturer, so
you know exactly what you'd be getting. Have them send you a few feet
of various diameters and colors. Once you have in hand what it is
you'd be buying, there'd be no problem ordering 1000's of feet.
I'm waiting to hear back from one more place today.
jbf777
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
jinx22630-ga
on
01 May 2004 10:38 PDT
Sorry for not replying, my network was down.
I think we can consider the matter closed, I am going to work with
Rick at RJ Manufacturing. He seems very eager to help me find exactly
what I need. We aren't going to go with twisted multifilament at this
time, but as things progress we may be able to switch over. He is
sending me a sample package so that I can choose colors and styles.
Once again I would like to thank you for your dedication to helping me
solve my supply problem. I would like to send you a pair of sandals or
two when we go into production in a week or so. I believe you have my
private eamil address, so you could send me the sizez that you want.
Thank you again,
James.
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Clarification of Answer by
jbf777-ga
on
01 May 2004 20:06 PDT
James -
Thank you for the kind words, rating and for the offer to send me
sandals! It was my pleasure to help. With regards to physical mail
correspondence, I have no access to your email address nor any other
contact information; researchers are not permitted to contact
customers outside of the site. Sorry about that! I do very much
appreciate the offer, however, and wish you the very best in your
business!
Hope to see you again here soon!
jbf777
GA Researcher
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