Toogle Size?

**danrum** · 02-15-2011, 06:15

Does anyone have an idea about "proper" toggle size. Length vs. diameter? Toggle weight? Amount of weight they will support? What is available and approximate cost? I am considering all types of options at this point. Thanks in advance for any information. Danrum

**Syb** · 02-15-2011, 06:27

Dan, I use old aluminum tent poles cut to about 2 3/4". Not sure about diameter but slightly larger than a pencil. Typically, people use toggles for a marlin spike hitch and if using them in this manner, the weight is distributed along the tree strap knot created by the marlin spike hitch and not necessarily the toggle. Others use toggles as a 'stopper' like a loop through a D-ring on a tarp and use s tree stick or toggle to prevent that loop from pulling back through. In that case, the amount of weight on the toggle isn't as significant. Hope that helps.

**ShadowAlpha** · 02-15-2011, 08:15

I've cut up an aluminum arrow I had here

**Syb** · 02-15-2011, 08:30

Dan, search for Grizz's posts here. He's got the whole quant thing down pretty well as he's a professor and all. He understands the math/physics/weight/force thing a lot better than me. Also, I have a set of the toggles up for offer in a PIF thread. They're still not claimed...

**Tendertoe** · 02-15-2011, 09:07

You also may want to consider which way your whoopie will be attached to the treestrap.

I'm currently using Dutch Clips attaching the adjustable eye from my whoopie to my hammock via a chainlink - meaning the fixed eye of the whoopie is at treestrap.

The reason this is something to consider is that your toggle then needs to be short enough to fit into your fixed eye.

I hadn't considered this till I was faced with it.

As far as weight they will support, it only has to resist a crushing force rather than a perpendicular force of your body weight.

I don't know the technical side of this much but I am using plastic coat hangers cut to size. The plastic is dense enough? to handle the crushing force applied to it, but imagine if you were to apply a perpendicular force to it - it'd snap in half.

**creativeKayt** · 02-15-2011, 14:09

Some people cut down the 7-11 metal slurpee straws to use as their toggles.
For example, Silverlion's toggle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12685767@N08/5388130385/

I'm going to try this option soon, but for now I'm using the metal tubing pieces out of a tent repair kit. Length is 2 and 3/4 inches long, which is ample for my whoopies. You might try a couple of found sticks to play until you find that "sweet" length for you. Then, when you've got it dialed in, you can find something more permanent.