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  1. #1
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Unexpected Space Launch...

    I knew it "could" happen. But it hadn't happened yet. Until now. Yep... I launched a total of 5 tarp stakes.

    Two went into high orbit landing maybe twenty feet away. The others were not near where they were set but did not reach escape velocity upon launch.

    I was using full shock cord, which frankly I thought would be safest... (I know... I should the threads more closely.) But I figure the cord would absorb the movement best and I'd be safe from the countdown syndrome. Alas... such was not the case. It seems the shock cord merely propelled said projectile with greater force. Oh well... No harm done to anything except my pride.

    My new winter tarp is going to take some getting used to. I think it behaves very differently than the plain Hex tarp it used to be.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

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  2. #2
    Senior Member Rushthezeppelin's Avatar
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    Least you actually had ground to stake to. I had to weigh my asym pull outs with rocks last night when I went car camping

  3. #3
    Senior Member KMACK's Avatar
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    You'll poke your eye out...!

  4. #4
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    I was using full shock cord, which frankly I thought would be safest... (I know... I should the threads more closely.) But I figure the cord would absorb the movement best and I'd be safe from the countdown syndrome. Alas... such was not the case. It seems the shock cord merely propelled said projectile with greater force.
    What, no slingshots when you were a kid?
    Just kidding; glad you didn't get hit by anything. What kind of stakes were you using? I haven't had this happen to me yet, but I've sure held my breath a few times when I hear that wind howling.
    Trust nobody!

  5. #5
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    I usually use textured gutter spikes. But last night I thought I would some smooth aircraft aluminum stakes. (at least that's what I think they are. ) Shepard hook kind of things. I don't know if that made a difference or not. I thought with the ground somewhat but not completely frozen they would be easier to set than the gutter spikes.

    Yeah I had both slingshots and rubberband guns as a kid. That's why I have always felt safe with the full shock cord. The force is absorbed by the cord and so (in theory) less is transferred to the stake so it stays in the ground and everything is fine.

    Maybe it is a matter of the winter tarp being a larger target for the wind, but these beauties were set at the proper angle in the proper direction and they flew baby... I mean airborne. I wish I had been out there to see it happen. It's been gusting real hard today.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  6. #6
    Senior Member Mustardman's Avatar
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    I recently switched from

    these:


    to these:


    specifically because the shepherds hook style weren't holding well enough in serious wind.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Rushthezeppelin's Avatar
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    I love my groundhogs : ) Never had a problem with them as long as I could get them into the ground (super dry hard packed rocky desert ground can be tough sometimes).

  8. #8
    Senior Member stoikurt's Avatar
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    Were they tied on with a clove hitch so you won't loose them if they get launched?
    Stoikurt
    "Work to Live...Don't Live to Work!"

  9. #9
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stoikurt View Post
    Were they tied on with a clove hitch so you won't loose them if they get launched?
    Of course not... what do you take me for?
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  10. #10
    Senior Member GrizzlyAdams's Avatar
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    RRev, trying to remember, you've launched a spreader bar from a bridge hammock too, yes?

    That's like a bolt from a cross-bow. My neighbors run for cover when I start setting up in the yard. Wonder why?

    Grizz

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