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  1. #1
    Senior Member vinnya42's Avatar
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    550 paracord Soft Shackles

    After seeing the thread on amsteel soft shackles I found a "how to" video on youtube about make 550 cord soft shackles. I made a pair out of 550 cord soft shackles and tested them on the hammock. I put one on each side of the hammock and sat in it, bounced, and swung and they held fine. Someone had said they should hold 800 static pounds...well they definitely hold 220 pounds.

    The soft shackles I made are 24" long to start and then follow video to make them. It ends up being a 4" loop when closed...I tied a figure 8 knot at the end and melted the end really well. There was no burning or stress that I could see after sitting on it and I will be using one with my hammock to test long term durability.

    Here are the pics of the finished product. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i-8RUL1XK8



    Hang it high and God Bless!!

    Vince

  2. #2
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    Looks good but just be careful. I have read a few times where 550 paracord broke when used on suspension and you'll probably get a lot of similar warnings from other members.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Mancat's Avatar
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    +1 on being careful! There have been more than one person(myself included) that has had 550 fail on them. IMO I wouldn't use paracord for anything requiring more than 50lbs of break strength. On a side note this is really cool. I have always wondered about splicing paracord.
    "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."
    - Mark Twain

    "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! NO MORE WOOD!"
    - Mancat

  4. #4
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    Looks good but I have dropped using 550....sure woke me up quickly! Used 550 for quite a while before the snap.
    Keep an eye out.
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  5. #5
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    PC Shackle.
    My opinion, sketchy for hanging on.
    Use 'em for lashing gear to your pack, okay, but the design of the sheath on PC is not the same as a amsteel braid type rope.
    hang at your own risk.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  6. #6
    Senior Member vinnya42's Avatar
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    Thanks guys...I won't be using them to hang on in the real world (hiking trip). And I will watch them and keep and eye out for worn PC soft shackles. But at the house I have hit the ground several times trying different suspension systems (before amsteel) (mostly muletape the 900 pound stuff I got for free). I just want to put it through its paces and am willing fall in the grass at home for the sake of science

    Vince
    Hang it high and God Bless!!

    Vince

  7. #7
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Been making these all summer and absolutely love 'em... for gear. Cheap, easy to make... what's not to love? Great for:

    miscellanious garage use
    keeping your gear off the ground
    attaching tarp to ridgeline
    super-cool-kick-hinder keychain holder
    anything else the mind can conceive

    Things not to use them for:
    Wedding ring replacement (vetoed by the Missus)
    Child restraining device (actually works really well, but Child Protective Services gets ALL UP in your grill when you use any type of shackle to keep the kids attached to the shopping cart).
    Bicycle lock
    Suspension system (puts the suspense in suspension ).

    In all seriousness... enjoy them, but seriously reconsider putting high stress loads on them--especially for fragile or important things. I think you're important
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinnya42 View Post
    I just want to put it through its paces and am willing fall in the grass at home for the sake of science

    Vince
    Carry on good man, Carry on. (But you really should be using video, for the sake of science )

    Jason

  9. #9
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    I say... very clever. I like your thinking. Good job, although I agree with the others on the safety issue.

  10. #10
    Senior Member smokeeater908's Avatar
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    I like your thinking also, but also agree with the others. I am big stickler on safety, I guess that comes from being in the fire service.

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