small holes on stitches

[corsican]

I was testing my clark hammock when I saw that the holes in some of the stitches were gettting larger. I am afraid that mosquitos can get inside the hammock through these holes. Is there any kind of glue I can use to seal these holes?


Corsican

[hangnout]

I had a Clark for several years and never had that problem. How long have you had it?

[warbonnetguy]

this hole stretching is not uncommon with seams that run perpendicular to the direction of pull/load. i'm guessing this seam runs side to side rather than end to end?

anyways, it means that there is stress there. it is not actually the thread that will give out, but the holes will stretch and enlarge until they rip. this is what ed is talking about in his book when he suggests using his method of whipping instead of loading the end hem like an eno does.

the loading of the end hem in an eno may recieve much more stress than your spot i don't know, and the stitch holes can stretch quite a bit before they tear though. the problem is worse with lighter fabrics (esp. 1.1 oz)(eno fabric is 2.5 or so). check those spots, especially if you use your hammock alot. as for the bugs, couldn't tell you. many seams hide these holes from sight, making you peel back the edge of the seam to see the enlarged holes. this blocks the holes from the bugs too.

[slowhike]

i would have some one lay in the hammock to weight it, then you can look to see if the holes show.
if so & you want to cover them, a few drops of seam sealer should do the trick. it will remain flexible after it dries.

[headchange4u]

I agree with slowhike. Just use some silicone diluted with mineral spirits to make some seam sealer. That should block the holes.