A Fix for the UK Drill Holes That Seems to Work

[Riverkilt]

Posted this on the UK board. Sorry for duplication for guys on both.

Thanks to Christian's detailed explaination of what has happened we've had something to work with.
Looking over my UKs with the frazzle can see he's right...it doesn't happen on every pleat...many survive the drilling process without fraying.
Rummaged around and found my old textile glass thread counter deal from the old days. A magnifying glass or photo loupe would probably work too.
Looking at the frays it looks like the drill usually only broke one thread leaving two loose ends. On a few frays two threads were drilled and there are four frayed ends.
A butane candle lighter works great for burning back loose threads, thought why not burn back the drill hole frays too now that I can see they're threads too.
So, did that. Just have to lightly wave it under the frays and they burn right back and the frays aren't noticeable anymore. Hopefully, the pleat seam threads will hold the fabric from fraying anymore. And with the threads burned back into the fabric they aren't out to catch on things when worn or in the wash.
Should work. Simple fix. Maybe even something UK could do during inspection...unless the local fire marshall would freak at open flame in the plant.
Ron

[macgreggor]

hi riverkilt,

way back when, i used to fool a little with fishing gear, building and repairing and such. after wrapping a line guide to a pole, a dab of clear fingernail polish stops the fraying and unwinding.

dunno if this would leave a really stiff spot or discolor the fabric or cause a disturbance in chi flow or....

might be worth a try.

macG