Cave line clarifications/specifications

[seiff]

Hi,

What is #24 cave line??? Here's what I DO know:

24 is a specification of size in an AMERICAN rope sizing system
Cave line is #24 white braided-nylon (here in the US.)

Here's where I'm frustrated: No one I have asked has been able to tell me what #24 really means. The people at West Marine, Boater's World, and Lowe's Hardware all had never heard of such a sizing system, which surprised me. All of the commercial packaging I have seen locally has had inches or mm as measurments.

Also, the resources I have found online specifying a diameter in inches for #24 have been conflicting. I have found NO resources about the sizing system.

Can someone please clear up the following for me:
a) what is the imperial/metric diameter equivalent of #24?
b) what are the details of the numbering system and what is the system called?

 

[rjack321]

24 refers to the number of strands.

I have seen every thing from #18 (pretty tiny) up to about #48 used permanently in caves. #24 is typical for reels and spools. Its approximately 1.8mm in diameter.

 

[seiff]

Sweet, thanks, that makes alot more sense. I wonder why that isn't specified anywhere here. I was really surprised that the boat shops didn't know.

So I guess depending on the manufacturer the actual size may vary but it is still a 24 strand braided line. right?

 

[rjack321]

Actually its a sewing/thread type measurement scale - kinda like denier for fabric. e.g. 1000 denier cordura.

#24 is typically sold by the pound. The actual size varies a little but you still get 1 pount of nylon. There are both #24 braided and #24 twisted. 1 pound of #24 is about 850ft long.

Some manufactures have a "loose" braid while some is much "tighter" so you definately can have some variance in the diameter. I'm not sure if the loose vs. tight factor can make a difference in length. It probably can in the unstretched length, but I doubt this makes much difference in cave usage.

Sweet, thanks, that makes alot more sense. I wonder why that isn't specified anywhere here. I was really surprised that the boat shops didn't know.

So I guess depending on the manufacturer the actual size may vary but it is still a 24 strand braided line. right?

 

[roakey]

And here's where to get it, if that's the eventual question:

http://www.memphisnet.net/category/twine_whitebraidedseine

Roak