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  1. #1
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    65/35 Poly/cotton Ripstop?

    I saw this at a local Hancock's for $1.95 a yard in digital camo and was wondering what thoughts there are on suitability for a DIY hammock?

    Thanks,

    Webbie

  2. #2
    Senior Member entropy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by webbie View Post
    I saw this at a local Hancock's for $1.95 a yard in digital camo and was wondering what thoughts there are on suitability for a DIY hammock?

    Thanks,

    Webbie
    Natural fibers rot. Not a good choice.

  3. #3
    Senior Member oldgringo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by entropy View Post
    Natural fibers rot. Not a good choice.
    Hammocks have been made of cotton for hundreds of years. Yes, it will degrade over time, but with reasonable care will provide a decent service life.

    Depending on the intended end use, other fabrics may be a better choice. The poly/cotton blend will be bulky and heavy when compared to nylon or polyester of equal strength.
    Dave

    "Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."~~~May Sarton

  4. #4
    Senior Member BrianWillan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by webbie View Post
    I saw this at a local Hancock's for $1.95 a yard in digital camo and was wondering what thoughts there are on suitability for a DIY hammock?

    Thanks,

    Webbie
    I believe all things are worthy of testing and since 4 yards of this fabric will cost a little less than $8 and some of your time at a thread injector. IMHO it is worth it to do it. The polyester won't stretch and the cotton component of will add some breathability and should also help with the static build up of pure polyester.

    As entropy points out, getting it wet repeatedly will reduce the life span of the fabric. The other item to point out is that this likely won't be the lightest fabric out there.

    If nothing else this will be good practice for you for a relatively small monetary investment in materials.

    Go for it.

    Cheers

    Brian

  5. #5
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    Wonder if it's the same stuff some of us have picked up at Walmart? If it is, my current hammock is made from it. Some others have used it too. It's cheap so who cares if it doesn't last forever, just keep an eye on it so you don't go crash.
    Knotty
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    Thanks guys. It seems to be fairly light weight as compared to the ripstop nylon (which I did buy). As you said, for <$10 what's the harm in trying. I will let one of my lighter hiking buddies be the test subject for loading though.

    Webbie

  7. #7
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    If it is anything like Knotty mentioned, it will work well. I've gotten a lot of use out of my digi hammock. Breathes well and has held me up.

    If not, you get a lot of digi cam stuff sacks...

  8. #8
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by webbie View Post
    I will let one of my lighter hiking buddies be the test subject for loading though.
    I just load my children in 1 at a time until I start to hear it rip

    Can't lose with a price like that. Might have to pop on by to Hancock Fabrics to see if I can't pick some up for the kids (let them test their own hammocks).
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

  9. #9
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BrianWillan View Post
    As entropy points out, getting it wet repeatedly will reduce the life span of the fabric.
    This is not entirely accurate. Having grown up in the era of cotton canvas tents, some of which would still be going strong if I still had them, it is not the repeated wetting that damages the fabric. (Unless of course one is using them in the rainforest.) It is not drying them out completely and totally before putting them away. Cotton is absolutely fabulous material for outdoor gear IF it is cared for properly. But caring for it properly by today's standards is a pain in the nether regions.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

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  10. #10
    Senior Member Mancat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gargoyle View Post
    If it is anything like Knotty mentioned, it will work well. I've gotten a lot of use out of my digi hammock. Breathes well and has held me up.

    If not, you get a lot of digi cam stuff sacks...

    This is saying a lot cause gargoyle is a giant.
    "If animals could speak the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much."
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