Gathered or knotted hammock ends ... suspension ???

**babaloo** · 02-28-2016, 14:54

Originally Posted by Phantom Grappler

I forgot my coffee mug in The Gorge last weekend.

You should definitely include a coffee mug into your next no-knot-nothing-left-behind-suspension.
: )

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-28-2016, 16:14

I'm totally committed to sewn, triple stitched channels. I've never even tried the various other methods because the sewn channel works great.

**jcksparow** · 03-03-2016, 01:57

What would you estimate the weight capacity of an amsteel continuous loop/larkshead pulled through triple sewn channels to be? I like the aesthetics of that approach much better than the 'whipped ball' rig, but I'm a BIG guy and want to make sure the channel would hold under pressure.

**Phantom Grappler** · 03-03-2016, 21:44

On coffee mug--babaloo, I tried to heat water with disposable hot hands hand warmers. It did not work when warmers were stuck on tee shirt wrapped around mug. I might try warmers directly on mug. I have lots of ideas--but most of them don't work well enough to keep.
Gathered or knotted hammock ends. Maybe use the way that is easiest or cheapest or lightest. One way to see what works best now is to observe at a hang--how many gathered ball compared to whipping and other.
Sometimes there is collective wisdom in our choices of hammocks as a group and sometimes choices change as new gear is made. Now if I can remember to pack my mug...

**onetearless** · 03-03-2016, 22:48

Has anyone done a side by side w various methods on same material Comparing easiest cheepest lightest most durable weight limits ect.??? I would be interested in seeing a thread or a video or whatever. I guess we are all just learning here and the standards have yet to be set but some of us might just be capable of taking some educated guesses. Certainly the sellers must have some experience after building so many.

What do you say??

**GI_Weezy** · 03-09-2016, 13:09

Originally Posted by jcdflint

Shug... can you use 7/64 amsteel for tie instead of straps or thick rope ????

im 6' 230lbs and i have not had any problems using 7/64 amsteel for ridgeline, whipping, or continuous loops even when hanging in the 5-15 degree angles

**Floridahanger** · 03-09-2016, 14:00

There are a bunch of methods mentioned here and they all work, it's not just personal preference because each method does something a little different.

Whip method ala JustJeff- Gather the ends in several different methods. The ends can be pulled at different points to "make" the hammock a little more Asym on both ends or footboxesque on the footend. The ends are gathered and whipped with whatever cord you want. The cord is not load bearing and the suspension is hitched onto the hammock body next to the whipping.

Ball gather. A very small channel is sewn as the hem and the whipping cord is fed inside it. Again any size cord can be used because the channel nor the cord is load bearing. This will gather the end to a symmetrical shape creating a ball or can be sewn at an angle to make an Asym hammock. Hitch the suspension on the hammock body next to the ball.

These above are Gathered End Hammocks with the Whipped Ends being adjustable if you take it apart and do it again how you want.

The Sewn Channel End Hammock is a load bearing channel end. This needs to be triple stitched for safety and an appropriate sized cord used inside the channel. Feed the cord, loop, suspension thru the channel and connect to the rest of the suspension. You can leave as is or use a mini spreader bar a few inches wide to widen the lay of the hammock a bit.

Hope this helps.

**sunsetkayaker** · 03-09-2016, 14:11

I had both my DIY hammocks knotted at one time. When you knot a hammock they say to pull the edge seams through the knot a little more than the rest of the fabric so your hammock will have an edge. I didn't like the way one was knotted so I started to undo it and tie it again (pretty hard to untie after it was loaded) I got it untied and wanted to flatten the fabric before knotting it again so I ironed it. I had ironed the material several times before, but this time the iron was too hot and I put a hole in it. I cut the end of the material off that end and sewed channels in each end to gather and whip it. I was able to cut off about 15" of fabric and end up with the same size hammock. Obviously this was lighter, and I was better able to control how short each edge was, i.e. How cupped the edges were. I don't take my other hammock backpacking or I would redo that one as well.

**mab0852** · 03-09-2016, 14:59

On my tablecloths, I just gather the end, run a 15" amsteel dogbone around about 4 times (twice over and twice under the standing end), feed one loop through the other, pull tight, and hang my suspension from the free loop. I skip the stitching and the whipping and at ~300 lbs I have yet to pull the fabric through the wrapped amsteel.

**Floridahanger** · 03-11-2016, 08:55

Using your Dogbone suspension as a Whipping and Suspension is a great double duty item. Good job.

There are many methods to "scientifically" work on. There should be plenty of testing done to make sure a good night's sleep can be accomplished. I recommend at least 7 nights per method to make sure on your results.

It's science. It takes time and perseverance to get it right. Now go sleep....for science's sake.