OT: Satisfaction

bob.bud

I don't know why I can't get it done 100% of the time, but when I do, I cannot tell you how much satisfaction I get when I pull that string to open a bag of lump and it comes clean:



and peer inside before I go to load the egg:



Simple pleasures I suppose.

yljkt

Sort of like opening bags of Horse feed. Thats a PITA. 

jabam

I quit trying and go straight for the knife. 

Dobie

It's the little things...... 

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

That is a great feeling! I too have given up, long ago. Maybe @stlcharcoal can give us the secret to that perfect pull. 

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Or, of course, anyone else that knows the secret 

GregW

My grandfather could open the feed sacks every time. Sadly I didn't pay attention and I struggle. 
I have pretty much given up and use a blade.

lousubcap

With only four options you would think you could hit the jack-pot at least 25% of the time.  Too bad the law of averages catches up when you don't know the secret.  Hit around 5 bags in a row-latest run 0-2.  Some day I will pay attention to the you tube skill set.  

chuckytheegghead

I understand your frustration. It can be a PITA but perhaps this video will help. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NHxRwds4g&vidve=5727&autoplay=1

Eggcelsior

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Or, of course, anyone else that knows the secret 

The secret is look at the bag and find the single-stich side(typically the front). Face that away from you and you'll notice multiple threads. Start at the left and undo the initial loop or cut it. If you don't, you'll tighten the knot. Pull the thread that went through that initial loop and the magic happens.

Lit

I can never do it on the lump bags. The cat litter I use it pulls easy every time. Shame these lump guys can't figure it out.

Eggcelsior

Lit said:

I can never do it on the lump bags. The cat litter I use it pulls easy every time. Shame these lump guys can't figure it out.

Listen meow, don't be so hard on the lump guys. No one is purrfect.

chuckytheegghead

Eggcelsior said:

Lit said:

I can never do it on the lump bags. The cat litter I use it pulls easy every time. Shame these lump guys can't figure it out.

Listen meow, don't be so hard on the lump guys. No one is purrfect.

Well played 

YukonRon

I can't wven open a lunch bag

stlcharcoal

It comes down to the type of lockstitch used to close the bag.  There are one string and two string lockstitches, then a variety of closing tapes.  Seed and feed usually just has a single string lockstitch from a handheld gun like below--it's pretty easy to pull get this stitch to release (which is why most use a double string lockstitch).  I keep one at the warehouse just in case.



Our bags have a double string lockstitch with closing tape from a pneumatic sewing machine head.  Look for the side with two strings (not the single clean stitch), then go to the left side and pull the knot out.  Grab the string that is on your side of the bag and pull.  It will release that string from the other side of the bag.



Some pinch end bags (called "Sewn open mouth" SOM bags) will have a easy pull strip on the top, but those come from the bag manufacturer like that.  You fill them with the bag hanging upside down, so the double lockstitch with closing tape on the bottom.  The consumer pulls the quick release tape tab on the top.  If anyone remembers the old blank competition bags, they were like this--but you couldn't stand them up in a store, they're designed to lay flat.  So when the RW bags were designed, we went with the flat bottom bags (called "Self Opening Square" SOS bags).  They have to be filled from the top.



This is all a probably a lot more than anyone ever wanted to know about bags and lockstitches, but there's a LOT that goes into them.

mikeinccfl

chuckytheegghead said:

I understand your frustration. It can be a PITA but perhaps this video will help. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NHxRwds4g&vidve=5727&autoplay=1

Stitch porn!

stlcharcoal

mikeinccfl said:

chuckytheegghead said:

I understand your frustration. It can be a PITA but perhaps this video will help. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NHxRwds4g&vidve=5727&autoplay=1

Stitch porn!

That's a single string lockstitch, much like this video from the late great Shotgun Fred:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpXs15rmVog

If you're dealing with bags with a double string lockstitch, it's a whole 'nother game.

Maybe I'll break out the video camera later today.

Battleborn

I can honestly say the I just spent more time learning about opening a bag than I ever imagined was possible. 
Great tips! I will have to give it a go next time, I am usually in the blade camp. 

stlcharcoal

Battleborn said:

I can honestly say the I just spent more time learning about opening a bag than I ever imagined was possible. 
Great tips! I will have to give it a go next time, I am usually in the blade camp. 

Same here.....or just grab the closing tape and rip it open.

pgprescott

stlcharcoal said:

Battleborn said:

I can honestly say the I just spent more time learning about opening a bag than I ever imagined was possible. 
Great tips! I will have to give it a go next time, I am usually in the blade camp. 

Same here.....or just grab the closing tape and rip it open.

The horror! I suppose you two just walk right in the house with muddy boots too !!!!