Best whoopie sling stoppers?

[hutzelbein]

What is everybody using to prevent the rope pulling into the bury when they splice their whoopie slings and adjustable ridgelines? Beads seem to do the job best, but the beads that came with my WL whoopies have mostly broken (although I can't remember doing anything that could have caused them to break). The adjustable ridgelines from Whoopieslings.com came with more robust beads, although they don't look different from the beads WL uses. Which beads work best? Where do I buy them? What else are you guys using?

[Boston]

I believe what you're referring to as pearls are just craft beads. You can usually buy them at sewing and craft stores (at least in the US, not sure about Germany).

Yes, they break. being exposed to the elements makes the plastic brittle, and they can be put under stress when packed away, and stuffed in your pack.

Many have just spliced a small section of amsteel inside the amsteel of the loop.

Others, myself included, just get by without.

I've also used a G-Clip (now Adutchable Clips) on my tree strap to adjust it to the tree size, and sliced the adjustable loop of my whoopie onto a loop at the end of my strap.

[hutzelbein]

Yes, you're right - I meant beads... The beads that broke weren't used outdoors and broke after maybe 10 uses. The other beads have been holding up for 5 years now, but have been used mostly indoors as well. So the quality seems to differ.

The spliced solution sounds interesting. I assume that you cut an extra piece of rope to pull into the Amsteel / Lash-It? Are there recommendations on how long that piece should be, and what the distance to the bury should be?

[Gravity]

Zip ties can do the job. Make the cut end as smooth as possible by filing/sanding (or heating?).

[DustHunter]

I found some metal pony beads at Michaels. They are the same size as the plastic ones anddont break. So far they have held up through the weather and strain. I was a lttle skeptical at first, thinking they might be just metalized plastic. So, I put one a vice and smashed it. It took some effort, but it deformed like metal would. Anyway, metal pony beads from Michaels.

[gargoyle]

I tied a small string onto the line. Beads break.

[WVCAMPER]

What about making a small continuous loop, or short section of amsteel that could be cinched in place or loosened.

[Boston]

Yes, you're right - I meant beads... The beads that broke weren't used outdoors and broke after maybe 10 uses. The other beads have been holding up for 5 years now, but have been used mostly indoors as well. So the quality seems to differ.

Honestly that was just speculation, but now that i think about it more, here's what I think is happening:

When you load the hammock the two halves of the adjustable loop are basically pulled tight together, pinching the bead in between them. This force is probably what is breaking the bead.

[Rain Man]

Some good ideas already posted. Another option is to use a "split ring." That's what many use everyday to keep their car keys on in their pockets. I do.

I use beads and have not had a problem with breaking. But I had seen the specialty beads at Michael's craft store and might go that route in the future. They have a lot of selections to choose among.

I have once had a whoopie pull into itself. Don't want that again!

[WV]

I sometimes use a short (3/8" long) piece of plastic tubing in place of a bead. I frequently forget to put any sort of a bead in a new whoopie, so I end up tying on a small loop of cord or a soft shackle. I'll try split rings. Thanks!