Paracord netted hammocks?

**Highbinder** · 11-13-2010, 09:23

Recently aquired a lot of paracord and was thinking of how I could put it to use. It may not work but what do you guys think about a hammock made from paracord? I should have enough for a full sized hammock, otherwise if the cord can't take the strain I'll try my hand at a little gear hammock from the cord. Thinking about going for something like this, or using my trusty source of tutorials youtube

**Knotty** · 11-13-2010, 09:40

Net hammocks get built from cotton rope that's much weaker than paracord, so there shouldn't be any problems (just don't use it as the suspension line to the trees). If anything, paracord might produce a pretty heavy hammock. You could even consider gutting it but that would take a lot of effort.

**RBrown** · 11-18-2010, 13:00

Originally Posted by Knotty

Net hammocks get built from cotton rope that's much weaker than paracord, so there shouldn't be any problems (just don't use it as the suspension line to the trees). If anything, paracord might produce a pretty heavy hammock. You could even consider gutting it but that would take a lot of effort.

Why would you not use 550 cord for the suspension line? Reason i ask is i have some and was thinking of using it for that.

**pgibson** · 11-18-2010, 13:21

Originally Posted by RBrown

Why would you not use 550 cord for the suspension line? Reason i ask is i have some and was thinking of using it for that.

First reason is it is nylon and stretches a lot, second is it is not really considered to be rated strong enough and a number of folks have had it break on them.

There are alternatives that are much stronger, lighter, and just as small or smaller in size.

**RBrown** · 11-18-2010, 13:24

Originally Posted by pgibson

First reason is it is nylon and stretches a lot, second is it is not really considered to be rated strong enough and a number of folks have had it break on them.

There are alternatives that are much stronger, lighter, and just as small or smaller in size.

Gotcha thanks for the info

**Highbinder** · 11-18-2010, 13:42

Well, I'm getting on slowly. I've realised its' very time consuming working with the fine inner braid - no-tangle this stuff most certainly isn't

I made the mistake of splitting all the lengths at the same time, tying each bundle up, in the house then moving the bundles out. Problem is this cord tangles so easy when I went to undo the bundles if I didn't do it carefully it'd just knot itself right up. If I were to do it again I'd split and rig each length of paracord at a time.

Another difference is I'd square off all the pieces to be the same length before I started cutting. Because this stuff is cut straight from parachutes some bits are longer than others.

I've got all of it split and laid over the 'ridge' line, to my reckoning 100 lengths, approx 3 cm apart. Started knotting the cords today and from the length of each inner braid I've got it'll be able to be a wideboy hammock. Going to stop around 70 inchs I think.

Even knotting the sections the lines will twist together and snag if you aren't careful so its' slow but pleasant work

But I believe the most time consuming part is over with and things should speed up now.

Once I've finished the netting I'm just going to try and rig it like a normal gathered end hammock using 3mm Dyneema to wrap the ends (which is just what I happen to have laying about, snip a bit off my tarp ridgeline), which is rated 370kg (815lb), and I have some spare 1" webbing which I'll make two tree straps from and connect the two with marlen spike hitchs.

Hopefully I'll get the rest done this weekend

**tammons** · 11-13-2010, 10:18

FYI, there is a video on youtube of Dave Cantebury building a rope hammock.

**Highbinder** · 11-13-2010, 14:16

Well I was planning on doing it with just over hand knots similar to this

And just cinching the ends much like a normal gathered end hammock, but I don't know if its worth learning a couple of new knots and doing it as a diamond shaped net.

Wonder if I could make it as a bridge hammock?

**wabi** · 11-14-2010, 08:15

Made a couple hammocks decades ago using tools and instructions from the company in this link .
Easy to make following the instructions, but be prepared for a few cuts & blisters on the fingers.

**ice man** · 11-14-2010, 08:40

I have 3 net-style hammock souvenirs of my "expense paid Asian Vacation" They are made of what appears to be double strands of mason line only thinner. Made of para-cord? Seems like they'd be overkill in the strength and weight dept.