Dabrush OP t1_itpyh93 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 1:34 PM

Reply to comment by twokietookie in How can I measure the length of string passing through something? by Dabrush

I would assume that somewhat high tech will be needed, if I want to spool like 20 or 50 meters and don't want to count rotations by hand. One idea I had for a lower tech solution would be to turn the bobbin being spooled onto with a hand crank with multiple gear reductions, meaning that one turn would for example equal 1 meter. However this solution would only work if I ignore the thickness of the thread already being spooled onto it.

twokietookie t1_itpys2y wrote on October 25, 2022 at 1:37 PM

No no, seriously go take a look at the mechanism at a hardware store. They just have a rolling counter. Could probably buy something off the rack. I thought maybe you needed extreme precision.

Edit - Also just saw a "digital line counter" on Amazon for $40.

Dabrush OP t1_itq0chx wrote on October 25, 2022 at 1:48 PM

Oh yes, line counters seem to have the functionality I need, seems like they're made for fishing but I am sure I could make it work for my stuff as well. Thank you for that find! Any search with thread or string length just resulted in info about programming strings and machining threads for me.

twokietookie t1_itq13k9 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 1:54 PM

Out of curiosity what's the project for?

Dabrush OP t1_itq496i wrote on October 25, 2022 at 2:16 PM

Just for dividing up some 1000m spools of thread into smaller batches, since it is rather hard to get in this country and resellers are taking big advantage of that by selling 100m spools for more than half the price of a 1000m one imported.

Dabrush OP t1_itpzn5y wrote on October 25, 2022 at 1:43 PM

I haven't seen something like that in hardware stores here, we just have a long measuring and cutting bench.

IronSlanginRed t1_itqw02u wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:19 PM

If they sell bulk rope, they usually have a counting wheel. The ones that don't have one, don't usually have a "rope room".

Blah-squared t1_itr12j4 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:51 PM

They make a Line Counter for fishing rods. A small wheel that measures, by foot, how much line is going out, or can be used to measure how much you’re spoiling on the reel. I would think you could configure it for your application.