A sliding toggle (Yes, another suspension idea)

**Hiknhanger** · 02-02-2013, 09:48

Originally Posted by gmcttr

I suggest you chamfer the edge of the drilled hole.

I will. Thanks. It is actually smoother than it looks in the pic. When the loop from the hammock is hooked up, the T tilts under tension, so it definitely needs it around the inside where the Amsteel exits toward the tree.

**Bonepile** · 02-02-2013, 10:14

The tree straps I have are 6 feet long and there is only a loop at one end. I currently use a marlinspike hitch with my suspension. If I convert to this system, I don't know how to connect the amsteel loop to the straps except to tie in a biner to the straps. This raises a question in my mind. If you have a six foot strap with loops on both ends how do you shorten the suspension when you have skinny trees and/or trees close together. The amsteel and toggle part are adjustable but the strap part is not.

In my case if I don't use a biner between my straps and the amsteel can anyone suggest a knot to form a loop in the free end of my straps. One that can shorten up the straps for the skinny close trees situation?

**OneThing** · 02-02-2013, 11:13

Originally Posted by Hiknhanger

Here is what I cobbled together last night. I used threaded fittings for extra rigidity since I am a beefier hanger. I used 100 grit sandpaper to rough up the smooth PVC for better grip. I am also playing with an addition to the half hitch to have more grip on the Amsteel. Tests to follow.

Thanks. That clears it up perfectly. I look forward to seeing a few of them as well in action.

**Jazilla** · 02-02-2013, 12:19

With long straps and skinny trees you would just wrap he strap an extra few turns around the tree.
With the T. To make it more ridgid you could glue some PVC inside the fitting and cut it flush. That way you got the thickness of the fitting and the pipe being compressed.

**Hiknhanger** · 02-02-2013, 12:25

Originally Posted by Jazilla

With long straps and skinny trees you would just wrap he strap an extra few turns around the tree.
With the T. To make it more ridgid you could glue some PVC inside the fitting and cut it flush. That way you got the thickness of the fitting and the pipe being compressed.

I actually bought a piece and threaded it into the part of the T where the Amsteel comes out toward the tree and cut flush as you described sob the threads would not be an issue. The threaded T seems pretty robust, but I have yet to hang from it. Maybe I'll take it to MacEntyre's tonight and let the gang try it out!

**Hiknhanger** · 02-02-2013, 12:27

Originally Posted by Jazilla

With long straps and skinny trees you would just wrap he strap an extra few turns around the tree.
With the T. To make it more ridgid you could glue some PVC inside the fitting and cut it flush. That way you got the thickness of the fitting and the pipe being compressed.

I actually bought a piece and threaded it into the part of the T where the Amsteel comes out toward the tree and cut flush as you described so the threads would not be an issue rubbing the cord. The threaded T seems pretty robust, but I have yet to hang from it. Maybe I'll take it to MacEntyre's tonight and let the gang try it out!

**Bonepile** · 02-02-2013, 13:31

Originally Posted by Jazilla

With long straps and skinny trees you would just wrap he strap an extra few turns around the tree.
With the T. To make it more ridgid you could glue some PVC inside the fitting and cut it flush. That way you got the thickness of the fitting and the pipe being compressed.

Yeah, the extra turns around the tree makes sense. Still wondering what's a good knot to make the loop to larkshead the amsteel into. Bowline maybe? It needs to be a knot thats easy to untie after being cranked real tight in a strap.

**Hiknhanger** · 02-02-2013, 13:34

Originally Posted by Bonepile

Yeah, the extra turns around the tree makes sense. Still wondering what's a good knot to make the loop to larkshead the amsteel into. Bowline maybe? It needs to be a knot thats easy to untie after being cranked real tight in a strap.

Figure eight or water knots are used to make loops in webbing all the time

**Bonepile** · 02-02-2013, 14:16

Originally Posted by Hiknhanger

Figure eight or water knots are used to make loops in webbing all the time

Those looks like they are are for splicing two pieces together or stopper knots but don't form a loop. I guess I'll just experiment.

**Hiknhanger** · 02-02-2013, 14:27

Originally Posted by Bonepile

Those looks like they are are for splicing two pieces together or stopper knots but don't form a loop. I guess I'll just experiment.

What I learned as a water knot is basically taking a doubled portion of the strap and tying an overhand knot, leaving the loop hanging out if that makes sense.