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  1. #1
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    How does the hammock thread hold the weight?

    So I was wondering how Hammocks support the weight of the user when the type of threads used only hold around 30lbs tensile strength.

    Hope someone can answer my question.
    "For the Glory of All, The Light Shines on".

  2. #2
    Member strung2tite's Avatar
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    I think it has to do with the amount per square inch of the threads collectively, not one thread. Someone else will chime in hopefully....
    Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
    Thomas Jefferson

  3. #3
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Divine_Light View Post
    So I was wondering how Hammocks support the weight of the user when the type of threads used only hold around 30lbs tensile strength.

    Hope someone can answer my question.
    The truth is... they don't. It's one of those things like bumble bees can't fly because their weight is too much for the wing set to support. Just one of those mysteries of life.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

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  4. #4
    Senior Member Pitch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    Just one of those mysteries of life.
    lol this is great Rev Thanks for the smile.

    Yes bumble bees can fly (and they have proven how somewhat 'recently'... uses turbulence as opposed to standard lift if I recall what I read)

    And yes you don't fall through a hammock because of the distribution over thousands of these threads... just like a million ton suspension bridge doesn't fall down even though the individual steel threads only hold a few thousand pounds each... cause there are thousands of them

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by XexorZ View Post
    just like a million ton suspension bridge doesn't fall down even though the individual steel threads only hold a few thousand pounds each... cause there are thousands of them
    So to hole 200lbs for example I'd need 30lb x 7 to hold that weight?
    "For the Glory of All, The Light Shines on".

  6. #6
    Senior Member Pitch's Avatar
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    breaking strength depends on the moment of force (static force). If the force involved is dynamic (i.e. me rolling about trying to find the sweet spot) it can be many times higher than your actual weight. Also keep in mind the angles! A hammock is a suspension system, so there are angles coming into play (i.e. it isn't a string holding a weight hanging straight down). Generally, the flatter the hang the higher the forces involved. As you approach "perfectly flat and super tight" the force approaches infinity (theoretically). In practice things just break as you do this

    This might help a little:

    http://www.cramster.com/answers-feb-...ly_773761.aspx

    Let me know if you want to learn more and I will find the resources you need.

    -George

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    Hmm, I'm sure this is a case for trial and error. I may hurt my back in the process D:
    "For the Glory of All, The Light Shines on".

  8. #8
    Senior Member Pitch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Divine_Light View Post
    Hmm, I'm sure this is a case for trial and error. I may hurt my back in the process D:
    Ohhhh wait... I think I misunderstood your question!!

    Are you talking about thread-count of the fabric (general "I'm curious" question) or stitches-per-inch (practical application question) and thread type for sewing??

    If a sewing question I'm sure many of the people who make their own gear here can give you some great guidelines!! I know the thread used is pretty darn heavy duty.

    -George

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by XexorZ View Post
    Ohhhh wait... I think I misunderstood your question!!

    Are you talking about thread-count of the fabric (general "I'm curious" question) or stitches-per-inch (practical application question) and thread type for sewing??

    If a sewing question I'm sure many of the people who make their own gear here can give you some great guidelines!! I know the thread used is pretty darn heavy duty.

    -George
    It's not a stitch being pulled like a tug-o'-war but more it being a hem and weight applied to the hammock.
    I'm not really the physics type so please go easy on me :S
    "For the Glory of All, The Light Shines on".

  10. #10
    Senior Member KerMegan's Avatar
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    the thread holds together several (2 or 3) layers of fabric, increasing the available strength- much like stacking 2 2x4's into a 4x4- also consider that the load (pull) is cross ways to both the fabric and the direction of the stitches, which helps transfer the load into the fabric before any one stitch fails. Hope that helps, KM

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