TIPS for Tying Shroud Lines

Parachute tape disks can be tough.

You've got to weave the line through the disk and then tie a square knot.

Here's a few tips:

1. Don't touch the sticky side of the disk. The oils on your skin will diminish the adhesion.

2. Use your knife blade to hold the disk. In the picture at the left, you are looking at the sticky side of the disk facing up.

3. To give yourself just enough line to tie, the loose end should be about 3/4" below the bottom edge of the disk.

4. Use long tweezers to hold and tie the line. The work area is so small, you'll have trouble tying the knot with your fingers. TIE A SQUARE KNOT.

5. If you are making a Quest parachute, you'll have to tie three overhand knots. The Quest shroud lines have a habit of untying themselves unless you do three overhand knots.

6. Make the knot below the disk. Keep the disk on your knife and use it to position the disk into position on the parachute material.

7. Transfer a small bit of white glue to the knot with a toothpick tip.

I know, I've heard it before:

"If you tie the knot correctly, glue is not needed."

I still feel better setting the knot with a bit of glue.