16 foot build

[Jesse Bessette]

Well, here we go. A 16 foot build. I'll posting the photos slowly but surely as this goes. I underestimated exactly how long 16 feet is. Anyway, what I've done so far is build the core. I know the use of hockey tape is highly contested with people on here, but I use it exclusively as a bolster on the core. It helps to keep the bbs that I use as my shot loading in line with each other. Without it, and I did think of doing that, the bbs had a tendency to double up rather than lay in a straight line. I used about 12 inches of bbs. Not a lot, but it help me to build a stronger transition. I'm mounting this whip on an 11 inch handle, so I should have a fair amount of leverage. I'll be binding the core later today and will post photos of that as I go.

[Robert Gage]

Jesse, I'm sure the result will be wonderful - but rather you than me! My fingers ache just thinking about it!

[Matt Henderson]

Wow that's a lot of tape. I use it on the core and as bolsters to keep everything super smooth.

Looking forward to seeing the binding; careful with the transition, the join on the core likes to hinge even if you bind it tightly.

[Ron May]

Jesse, I did an 8.5 footer and I can only imagine the daunting task before you.
I look forward to seeing this develop.
Thanks for posting your progress for us.

Ron

[Brandon "Sparky" Lam]

Jesse, I think my only advice to you at the moment is to bind the living heck out of the first few inches of the transition. Make sure that part is pretty much almost as stiff as the handle, as the weight of the whip will be pulling at that point every time you crack it

[Morten Aalykke Pedersen]

Hi Jesse.

I use hockey tape on the part where i have the bb as well - but not on the rest of the core. What did you use as core?

[Brandon "Sparky" Lam]

Oh yeah, good luck! You have many many hours of plaiting ahead of you

[Rachel McCollough]

Whew that'll be a big whip! It'll be really cool to see the progress.

[Jesse Bessette]

hey guys.

Morten, it's 3/8 inch sinker cord. I bound it with the tape to help round it out. It's flat to start, so to prevent lumps later, I just round it.

Brandon, this transition is going to be turned into a rock.

Everyone else, my fingers are already aching at the thought of doing this project also. I am thinking I might do some fancy plaiting on the handle and part of the thong also.

[Sebastian Schott]

16 Foot? Hell thats a BEast... This thing will eat quite some Cord and time... Good luck with it, looking forward to see it coming together

[Robert Gage]

Jesse, I've only ever cracked a 16-footer once, and could tell it would take a lot of getting used to. And, just once, I a chance to crack a 20-foot Zenith bullwhip by Peter Jack. That really was something else! It was fun - but I don't think I'd want one!

[Jesse Bessette]

Robert, the zenith series is gorgeous. I've wanted one for years....

[Morten Aalykke Pedersen]

Jesse next time (if you ever do a 16 ft again) i have a simple design for a slightly tapered core made out of cords pulled into each other. if interested have a look in my whip swap for Brandon - it will save you some sportstape.

[Fritz Ehlers]

Hells teeth Jesse, that is a mammoth task. Just thinking about the binding, miles of it. Have you calculated your strand lengths for this?

[Jesse Bessette]

Morten, I thought I had seen something about one somewhere, but being my first very long build, I figured I'd stick with what was known.

Fritz, I have. I'm looking at about 530 feet of cord in total.

[Jesse Bessette]

Ok, so pics will follow. Currently, it's 11:23 pm where I am, so I can't really break out the camera. I have the core bound tightly, and most of the 1st belly plaited. I am hoping to work on finishing the plaiting and possibly doing the binding of the belly tomorrow. I do have to do my schoolwork first, but that shouldn't take too long.

[Matt Henderson]

Good luck Jesse, I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got

[Jesse Bessette]

All I can say is that my fingers are regretting what I've decided to do...

[Rachel McCollough]

It's like building an 8' bull and an 8' cow back to back. You can do it!!!!

[Ron May]

Jesse, if you think in halves or quarters it's not that bad.
You can do it. I suggest taking a lot of breaks.


Ron