[Milsurplus] Cable construction

[J. Forster]

Bob Camp wrote:

> Hi,
>
> At least on the ARC-5's and ART-13's that I have had the cables were
> laced with normal black linen lacing cord. I don't seem to remember any
> plastic being used as part of that process. There were so many people
> making them that I'm sure there is a lot of variation.

It's pssible these cables were reworked, but I doubt it.

> A long time ago tape used to come in three flavors: Vinyl, cloth and
> rubber. The "proper" way to do things usually finished out with cloth
> tape. If you were going nuts the rubber and vinyl both got used under
> the cloth tape. Just to make things confusing sometimes the rubber
> wound up as the top layer.  All there still were available from 3M last
> time I checked. There are still procedures (from the good old days ...)
> that mandate the use of all three tapes. The cloth and rubber both came
> in a flavor without adhesive. I don't remember seeing vinyl without
> adhesive thought .

I have seen it, but can't find it now and don't know it's designaton. It was
also used to increase the cable OD at connector clamps.

> If the tape you have is a bit yellow that may be from age so you
> probably are looking for a clear tape. If it started out yellow then
> I'd bet on Mylar. Again available from 3M and a lot of others.

It's much too soft and thick to be Mylar or Kynar. Also, IMO Mylar is 60s
vintage, not 40s. This stuff is much thicker than standard electrical tape
(Scotch 88). It's about the same thickness as the self-welding rubber tape (ca
0.025)

Thanks,
-John