Turks Head Tube

This tutorial will show you how to make a Turks Head Tube. This one is specifically for a Boy Scout Neckerchief slide (or a “woggle”). You can use the same idea/supplies to make just about any size you need.

1/2" PVP Pipe

Saw

Threaded Inserts

Drill Press

Drill Bit

Pliers

6-32 Machine Screws 1/2" long

Using 1/2” PVC pipe, cut the pipe 6” long. I would recommend cutting it with a ratcheting PVC cutter, but a band saw/hand saw will also work, but you will need to clean up the burs with sandpaper.

On one end, you need to drill eight holes for the threaded inserts; the other end will be used to hang onto it. Before you start drilling, test out the drill bit size on a spare piece of PVC, making sure the threaded insert fits. I used a threaded insert from Menards, UPC 7-3828786331-4 (6-32 hex drive wood inserts). It required a drill bit that was #4 or 0.209”, just between 13/64 and 7/32.

For the woggle, there will be four holes on the top and four on the bottom. Because the threaded inserts were so long, I had to offset the holes by 1/8”. The first set of holes should be about 1/2” from the top. The second row will be 1-1/2” down from the top.

Once you have the holes drilled, you’ll have to drill in the threaded inserts. I used a machine screw with two nuts and three washers. Thread the screw into the insert and put the insert into the hole. Then, screw in the insert. Once you have the insert as close as possible to being flush with the pipe, you'll need to take out the machine screw, leaving the threaded insert. If you unscrew the machine screw and the insert comes out with it, you will need two pliers to get it loose. (While holding the PVC pipe still, use the pliers to hold the machine screw still, while using the needle nose pliers to loosen the nuts.)

Once you have all eight inserts put in, then you need to number the top and bottom, according to your instructions. Then, you are ready to start on your turks head knot. You can make the tubes in different sizes to match your turks head knot. Here are a few sites to get started IGKT (http://www.igkt.net/beginners/gridmaker.php) and Freekin Sweet Apps (http://freakinsweetapps.com/knots/knotgrid/) and Advanced Freekin Sweet Apps , which has pineapple knot functions (http://freakinsweetapps.com/knots/knotgrid/advanced.html).