Polyester thread replacing hemp?

[MichaelR.S.]

Just saw the video linked below replacing hemp with polyester thread.
I've been out of the loop for a bit so I don't know...has this become a thing?

https://youtu.be/BEm34zCLtg4

[Pip01]

Gadzooks!!... I hope not...

[RJB]

"I hope not"? Now why in the world......

I for one gave it a try, and I must say, I'm very pleased with the results.

I found three spools and wound three strands on at a time to cut down on the length of time it would take. The result is a layer of thread as smooth as a baby's butt, that can be adjusted so easily that one need only to use two fingers to adjust, there's no slippage, and there is no accumulation of moisture or binding whatsoever. I don't think I'll ever do anything different.

Now, to explain a wee bit further. I did not wrap the drone stocks. I want those two-hand tight. I suppose I could have, but for now chose not to. I only wrapped the tuning pins.

I would suggest you try it. If it's not to your liking, what are you out? Three spools of thread? Gadzooks!!

[Matt Willis Bagpiper]

I'm the one in the video there, and since then, I've experimented with several types of string, and after many head-to-head tests, I'm a firm believer in polyester. I made a video of my thoughts here: https://youtu.be/Nk084bazXT0

[olypiper]

I did the same thing as RJB after watching Matt's video. I bought 3 cones of thread for a commercial machine, and redid all the joints, including stocks and chanter. I bought black cobblers wax and bees wax, as well as a wax seal for a toilet bowl. I am very happy with the results, and happy to know my 'hemp' will no longer rot away. The purple color is super cool, too.

[Klondike Waldo]

I recently re-hemped both sets of GHB with polyester thread. The only downside was that I used really thin thread, which packed down after a while, needing another layer (no big deal). I use lip balm as a lubricant/sealer and am happy with the results
…so why "gadzooks, I hope not, Pip01?

[RJB]

I used three strands of poly thread at a time, which meant I could bear down on the tension and really pack it on tight. I also used a cordless variable speed drill. Wrap one end of a drill bit with electric tape so I fits tight in the piece you're working on, and pull the trigger as much as you want. It sure makes fast work of it, and doesn't tire the fingers as much!

[Pip01]

Greetings to All...

And... far... far be it from me... to attempt to forestall ...
The March of Time... and the successful advent... of
the use of newly used materials... and of these new
techniques... that shall... perforce... accompany them. :)

My original thought... re-action... was that the polyester
might well react... adversely... with the moisture in the
pipes... and furthermore... that it would not prove to be
as... dependable... as our old... tried and true... hemp.

All of that now being said... I find that I now have two
further aspects of this matter... now at hand.

The first being... in these last several years... I have
found the thickness... and the quality... of the hemp
now generally available to us... to have drastically
decreased!!... Indeed!!... Gone off th' bloody cliff!! :(

The second being... I have been thinking for some
time now... of trying to find a superior replacement
for it... rather than having to continue having to wind
several ply of hemp around and around one another.

With your (and Thank You to everyone :) accounts
of success... and safety to your pipes... I shall now...
and quite happily... give this a go... and... Gadzooks!!...
... How Not?! :)

Regards to All,

Pip01

[William McKenzie]

I too saw Matt's video and switched. I will never go back. 100%.

Waterproof. Does not swell or shrink. Does not need to be replaced often if at all. Does not rot. Incredible strength. Lays tightly, does not unravel. Takes thermo wax well for stock joints, naturally smooth with a nice amount of friction for tuning pins. Roll will last years both in terms of amount as well as durability/shelf life.

I use a thicker, waxed flat woven type:

[Kevin Palm]

Sweet! I just ordered some of that myself! How's it working out for you?

Originally Posted by William McKenzie

I too saw Matt's video and switched. I will never go back. 100%.

Waterproof. Does not swell or shrink. Does not need to be replaced often if at all. Does not rot. Incredible strength. Lays tightly, does not unravel. Takes thermo wax well for stock joints, naturally smooth with a nice amount of friction for tuning pins. Roll will last years both in terms of amount as well as durability/shelf life.

I use a thicker, waxed flat woven type: