bridge hammock question

Hey guys, just a quick question about diy bridge hammocks----I just put together a quick and dirty prototype of a grizz style hammock using some materials I had laying around the house----it works good, but I noticed the top of the sides (where the structure is sewn into) seem s like the thread holes are kind of elongated when Im sitting in the hammock. (like they are going to rip out eventually) Is this normal? What are some other ways to make the side load bearing structure?

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Originally Posted by stevebo

Hey guys, just a quick question about diy bridge hammocks----I just put together a quick and dirty prototype of a grizz style hammock using some materials I had laying around the house----it works good, but I noticed the top of the sides (where the structure is sewn into) seem s like the thread holes are kind of elongated when Im sitting in the hammock. (like they are going to rip out eventually) Is this normal? What are some other ways to make the side load bearing structure?

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My JRB has been like that from day one, used to worry me. Still going strong years later, thread holes are just the same as they were 4 or 5 years ago. I asked Pan about that 6 months or a year ago. I can't remember the exact answer or explanation, but pretty sure the bottom line was nothing to worry about, at least with that hammock.

This happens less (or I see it less) when the stitching along the rolled webbing is close to the edge of the webbing, along the bottom. The webbing twists under load and when the stitching is higher than the edge there seems to be a bit of "pull-away" of the fabric from the webbing.

That said, I've never had a bridge hammock seam give out right there. It is under a lot of stress and so some stretching is to be expected I guess.

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Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

This happens less (or I see it less) when the stitching along the rolled webbing is close to the edge of the webbing, along the bottom. The webbing twists under load and when the stitching is higher than the edge there seems to be a bit of "pull-away" of the fabric from the webbing.

That said, I've never had a bridge hammock seam give out right there. It is under a lot of stress and so some stretching is to be expected I guess.

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This is exactly what I was going to say. My first bridge did this and on the second I sewed right up to the edge and have had no issue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

This happens less (or I see it less) when the stitching along the rolled webbing is close to the edge of the webbing, along the bottom. The webbing twists under load and when the stitching is higher than the edge there seems to be a bit of "pull-away" of the fabric from the webbing.

That said, I've never had a bridge hammock seam give out right there. It is under a lot of stress and so some stretching is to be expected I guess.

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Grizz, thanks for the advice! So, the stitching should be near the top of the webbing? Does it help if you use more stitches per inch? I was a little concerned about the stitching, so I sewed it several times, including really close to the bottom---sounds like that was the problem. One more question, I didnt have strap material, or amsteel, so i used some heavy duty grosgain ribbon, doubled over. It worked for a short test hang, but is that a good idea for long term use? How does that work if you use amsteel? (how is it stitched?) Also, on a bridge hammock, is the fabric under more tension than a gathered end hammock? (is the fabric under more stress?)