I use the stuff constantly and have been for almost 6 years. Never experienced any problems with it on fabric.Originally Posted by Michelle the Camper
I use the stuff constantly and have been for almost 6 years. Never experienced any problems with it on fabric.
Trust nobody!
was it just regular nylon or was it ripstop.
1.1 oz per yard, ripstop nylon. I'm thinking about making another just like it, because I loved it. But... I plan to make another in a heavier weight fabric, it I'm going out for more than an overnight.
Pips, it was a total buzz kill!
You could live on the wild side and make another just like it, then inspect it carefully before each hang. I bet you had a little hole and it put a stress on the fibers and then weight, then rrrip.
Most light things require more care than sturdier items. I would also try to purchase a high grade nylon. I have several lengths of ripstop nylon I have purchased over the last couple of years. There is a big difference in the quality.
I purchased a kit from Ray Jardine. The Ripstop nylon in the kit, has problems, which Ray and Wife told me to just dab some sealer on it. Now the project is in the garbage. Light color of fabric, I do not want "sealer" dabbed here and there on the fabric. It is clearly a flaw in the fabric, something wrong with it from the mills. Jardine and company refused to stand behind their own guarantee. I would not trust the fabric to hold up under stress. I will bet there are faults in the fabric I can not see but they are their waiting to fail, probably when I need the item the most.
Ultra light is good, it just needs careful inspection and a gentle hand, probably a shorter life span. Get something, give something.
Glad you are OK Michelle. Personally, I would not try to repair it. New material comes with peace of mind. I am with Hurtheart here- there was probably a little snag or something that started the cascade failure.
-Sarge
"Live your life so that your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful- you acted on it"
-Dan Zadra
I have some camo rip stop of undetermined weight, but very light/thin. I made a hammock chair of a piece of it, tried it out, and as I very carefully sat down, RIP! I checked the rest of it and it could be easily torn by hand, total junk. It was a few years old, but had no exposure to uv. Be careful buying bargains, they often are more expensive.
It was top dollar ripstop, sniff.
I think it will be worthwhile to set up the living room, sweatshop style and knock out several hammocks at once. I may make 2 more of the ultralights, because it was a dream for little overnighters, and I don't care if I have to sleep on the ground one night. I will make a sturdier one for my longer outings.
I thought the whole purpose of ripstop is to stop the rip when it begins with the overlaid weave. When I try to tear ripstop it just tears to the next box and stops.
That is what I was thinking as I stood there, dumbfounded. I may do some tests on these two pieces before I recycle them into stuff sacks
Ripstop really doesn't help when used in a high stress area like a hammock body. Once it decides to go, it doesn't stop till the rear end hits the ground.
It gives folks peace of mind, but adds very little, if any extra security.
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