Braided Mason Line...Wear and Tear ??

[gunner76]

Local DIY Store here ( Lowes ) finally started selling braided mason line that has been frequently talked about on the forum. Bought a large spool ( about 700 ft for about $7) in yellow. Big difference between the braided and the twisted Mason line.

Defiantly skinnier/smaller diameter than the 1.7m Zing It. I weighed a 6ft length of Zing It and Braided Mason Line and found the Mason Line came in at 2 grams and the Zing It at 3 grams

As the package said this stuff is only rated for 17 lbs, I realize its not that strong but figured it could make decent tie out lines for tarps and or tarp ridge lines ect.

So my questions is to those have been using the braided mason line, how well does it work as tie out lines ect and are there any issues with excessive wear ect.

Image is the Braided Mason Line over the top of Zing It

[G Maurice]

I've used it for tie outs and so far it seems fine. I do carry a little extra line for extra and/or replacement tieouts. I personally wouldn't use it for a ridge line however, because it's not strong enough to get as tight as I want my ridgeline to be for a secure tarp.

[Detail Man]

It'll work fine for tieouts. It'll hold a taut line hitch, make decent prussics, etc. Do be aware it is nylon, so if using a prussic, don't adjust it too quickly. I once pulled a piece of mason line thru a mason line prussic on a tarp and the friction generated slightly melted the prussic. As cheap as it is, toss it and make a new one.

It won't work for a tarp ridge line because it stretches. It wears pretty well, after all it's "mason" line, made for rubbing against brick and block, mud and gravel.

[pizza]

Do be aware it is nylon, so if using a prussic, don't adjust it too quickly. I once pulled a piece of mason line thru a mason line prussic on a tarp and the friction generated slightly melted the prussic.

Agreed. I found it to wear out very quickly using prussics. Zing it is a better option.

[L.D. Cakes]

I used it a few times and noticed that the pink color I had used bled out of it when it was saturated with rain water. I couldn't tell if the dye transferred onto the tarp when I stuffed it because it was a dark green tarp.

[Rolloff]

I use it for prototypes. Tarp tie-outs, CRL, Prussics, what not. It can work with anything non-structural. Holds alright, stretches just a bit. Very cheap. No problems beyond those already stated.

Once you figure out how you want to do it, order some Zingit and learn to splice.

[tnrdnck]

As has already been stated it stretches and wears quickly with prusiks, however it makes an excellent trot line for having breakfast ready if your near a fishing hole.

[donig]

The stuff is cheap enough to try/practice with and use where it works. I use it for tie outs - I've even spliced some locked brummels in it (once you can splice mason line, Zing-it is a piece of cake!).

[hangNyak]

I've used it. Made some splices with it. It works, but keep in mind it will pick up everything it touches in the woods. That's why I quickly ditched it. Zing-it is a much better option.

[AScott]

I use it for tie outs and guy lines. It can bind pretty tight if you get a knot that you don't want into it. It holds up alright. I replace it every spring even though I probably don't have to.

I also splice closed loops on the ends. It's tricky at first, but once you get going it's as easy as anything else. I tend to do a whole bunch of them at once, though (3 or 4 sets). Makes it easier for me.

One thing that I like about it is that it's easy to cut if I get into a situation where I need to cut it. I've had a few times when a storm has rolled in in the middle of the night that I needed to reposition things. Mason line can be tough to work with when it's wet. I've had to pull out the knife a time or two to make my adjustments.