(dumb question) how do i measure diameter of existing lines?

[Spot]

Originally Posted by Adelie

GG???

User GGRay who posted above.

Second the warning to check sheave and fairlead sizes before ordering rope to make lines and sheets.

[sasirles]

GGray above or as those of us who know him, GG.

[Adelie]

I knew it was a name, just didn’t realize I need to go back to post #3

[MicHughV]

it's not as simple as just figuring out line diameter....
you can have hollow core, double braided, 3 strand, etc, etc..
in addition, two 1/2" lines may have wildly different breaking strengths depending on what each line is constructed from...

[captnknopf]

depending on how big the line is, wrap at least four turns around something (like your hand) and measure and divide by the number of turns. if four turns is two inches, it is half, if four turns is one inch it is quarter. way easier than trying to use calipers or measuring stick.

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by captnknopf

depending on how big the line is, wrap at least four turns around something (like your hand) and measure and divide by the number of turns. if four turns is two inches, it is half, if four turns is one inch it is quarter. way easier than trying to use calipers or measuring stick.

My hand is 4" wide and about 1" thick. That means each turn is 10" (give or take). So four turns is 40". 40" divided by 4 turns is 10".

Either I'm not understanding correctly or somebody's math is off...

Or are you talking about measuring the rope laying across the palm?