"Better" soft shackle question

[Theo]

I made exactly one soft shackle the way they are "normally" done, did not like the difficulty of opening it, and thought of the same loop as shown in your link, have been using that, mostly, since, on bridge hammock suspensions. When I don't use it I instead put a sliding knot around the loop and slide it up to close around the knot. That works well too and is even easier to undo.

So long as you penetrate the cord through its center and not off to the side, I don't see why this should be unsafe.

I had pretty much the same problems with opening one, also (arthritic hands). The sliding knot works well with my hands. I started with using a cobra stitch until I saw your video and went "Duh !". Much easier to do than the cobra stitch when my hands are bothering me.

[DemostiX]

I asked Allen Edwards at http://www.l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php if he could enhance his javascript calculator for soft-shackle making to include 7/64" Amsteel Blue popular here. Allen had some cord on hand to make shackles with, so between a few tests and his model of cord behavior, the update is now part of the calculator.

But, he asks that you test, if possible, to see if he got it right and report to him how the calculator gets it wrong with 7/64" cord so he can modify it, if necessary.

[Bubba]

I asked Allen Edwards at http://www.l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php if he could enhance his javascript calculator for soft-shackle making to include 7/64" Amsteel Blue popular here. Allen had some cord on hand to make shackles with, so between a few tests and his model of cord behavior, the update is now part of the calculator.

But, he asks that you test, if possible, to see if he got it right and report to him how the calculator gets it wrong with 7/64" cord so he can modify it, if necessary.

Thanks DemostiX

[yenemy]

I asked Allen Edwards at http://www.l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php if he could enhance his javascript calculator for soft-shackle making to include 7/64" Amsteel Blue popular here. Allen had some cord on hand to make shackles with, so between a few tests and his model of cord behavior, the update is now part of the calculator.

But, he asks that you test, if possible, to see if he got it right and report to him how the calculator gets it wrong with 7/64" cord so he can modify it, if necessary.

Will do; it will come in handy as I make more of these.

On my run through his shackle, I just did the conversions from 1/8" by hand... since 1/8 = 8/64, you just multiply his 1/8" figures by 7/8, I believe.

[DemostiX]

Will do; it will come in handy as I make more of these.

On my run through his shackle, I just did the conversions from 1/8" by hand... since 1/8 = 8/64, you just multiply his 1/8" figures by 7/8, I believe.

I had not thought through that proportionality in the metric of the diameter would hold for two very different operations: burying one end in a greater length of the cover that shortens as it gets stuffed; and the spherical knot ball taking shape. But, great if it is that simple.

[yenemy]

I had not thought through that proportionality in the metric of the diameter would hold for two very different operations: burying one end in a greater length of the cover that shortens as it gets stuffed; and the spherical knot ball taking shape. But, great if it is that simple.

Demostix, you're absolutely right.

Since 7/64 and 1/8 diameters are so close it was not immediately evident when I made my first soft shackle (it had a "close enough" feel to it), but I just made a new soft shackle using the 7/64 calculator values, the difference is very obvious. The eye is very much more snug around the diamond knot, and everything just seems more refined and exact.

Ah well; the first shackle I made is still a nice "my first splicing project" souvenir!

[fuzzie]

yep. Around 3:30 in "A Hardware Free Detachable Hammock Suspension"

Cool tool, where'd you get that threading tool?

[gmcttr]

Cool tool, where'd you get that threading tool?

That is a Dritz Loop Turner. It's my favorite tool for splicing amsteel.

[fuzzie]

That is a Dritz Loop Turner. It's my favorite tool for splicing amsteel.

Thanks!
Have to find a store close by, shipping is more than the tool!

[GrayDog]

Have to find a store close by, shipping is more than the tool!

Jo-Ann's has them.