weight limit with rings

**nartoff** · 05-19-2008, 12:17

Question regarding using two rings for the hammock suspension:

When the weight rating for a 1" ring is 200 lbs (the small kind you can get at Lowes), how much weight in the hammock can two of them together on each end support? This will be for hanging an Eno Double with 1" webbing from Ed Speer.

I have used these rings in the past before with any problem, and I weigh 180 lbs. Will someone who weights 240 lbs be supported, or is that not a good idea?

Math/physics explanations are always interesting and appreciated!

**GrizzlyAdams** · 05-19-2008, 13:06

Originally Posted by nartoff

Question regarding using two rings for the hammock suspension:

When the weight rating for a 1" ring is 200 lbs (the small kind you can get at Lowes), how much weight in the hammock can two of them together on each end support? This will be for hanging an Eno Double with 1" webbing from Ed Speer.

I have used these rings in the past before with any problem, and I weigh 180 lbs. Will someone who weights 240 lbs be supported, or is that not a good idea?

Math/physics explanations are always interesting and appreciated!

no equations to offer on this one...just some geometry and common sense.

Geometry : the rings don't divide the load evenly. One of them is essentially a "jam", the other one is doing the heavy lifting. Being a conservative sort I'd do my figuring based on one ring only.

Common sense : There's going to be a fair bit of over-engineering behind the rated number on the rings. It says 200 lbs, it's not going to fail at 205. Or 210. Where's the line? I dunno, but it will probably larger than 240.

Now a critical question I don't know the answer to is the failure mode. Will it just bend first, or will the weld give way?? I'd guess you'd see a bend first, but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

all that said, the insurance I get using SMC rings rated at much larger values than the rings you get from the Big Box places is well worth the extra $1 in material cost. shipping's nasty though...

Grizz

**Ramblinrev** · 05-19-2008, 13:19

my experience from welding training is the bond is "supposed" to be stronger than the steel if the weld is done properly. That said... without x-ray and technical instruments it is impossible to tell if the weld is done properly.

**angrysparrow** · 05-19-2008, 13:42

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

all that said, the insurance I get using SMC rings rated at much larger values than the rings you get from the Big Box places is well worth the extra $1 in material cost. shipping's nasty though...

I agree, if you're going to use rings the disparity in price between welded and non-welded rated rings is worth the difference.

SMC Descending Rings

**nartoff** · 05-19-2008, 15:09

Thanks for the information, folks. For the record, my main setup has the SMC rings and I love them; they're lighter, too.

If only SMC rings were as accessible as cheapo rings when you're trying to put together a setup for events such as "tonight" or "right now."

**Cannibal** · 05-19-2008, 16:58

Well, I just happen to be victim of a welded ring failure.

Genuine Draft and I were sleeping double in the TrekLight and one of the rings just exploded! Landed on our packs so no worries about injury, but it will wake you up in a hurry. They were from Strapworks which I've used for a year or so on my own, but two people is not wise.

I've since replaced the rings with decending rings (THANKS COFFEE!) so all is well again. But, it gave me a reason to stay in my Warbonnet; "I can't come over honey, the rings won't hold"

**daibutsu** · 05-20-2008, 10:18

Not sure how to link, but these FRENCH RAPIDE LINKS, at para-gear.com are what I have always used with great results. Plus they are rapidly removable.

**angrysparrow** · 05-20-2008, 10:30

Originally Posted by daibutsu

Not sure how to link, but these FRENCH RAPIDE LINKS, at para-gear.com are what I have always used with great results. Plus they are rapidly removable.

Here's the link directly to those. I've always heard those called 'screwlinks'.

**fin** · 05-20-2008, 13:16

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Well, I just happen to be victim of a welded ring failure.

I almost thought you typed "wedding ring failure"

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Genuine Draft and I were sleeping double in the TrekLight and one of the rings just exploded! Landed on our packs so no worries about injury, but it will wake you up in a hurry. They were from Strapworks which I've used for a year or so on my own, but two people is not wise.

I've since replaced the rings with decending rings (THANKS COFFEE!) so all is well again. But, it gave me a reason to stay in my Warbonnet; "I can't come over honey, the rings won't hold"

I thought you wanted the company in your hammock!

"If the hammock's a swayin', you know I'm a playin'"