Suspension: 1 1/2 or 2 inch cinch buckles??

[PappyAmos]

Yes, let us know how that works out. I was thinking about sewing 16 inch or so sleeves out of 1 1/2 or 2 inch and then running my 1 inch straps through that. I think Grand Trunk does something similar with their rope type tree straps. Your idea uses a single layer and is likely to be lighter than my idea, although sleeves would give you several options.

Sounds like cinch buckles in that size would be difficult to find and likely heavy unless Dutch makes them out of titanium in the future.

I tried some sleeves over my 1" straps. Result was 1" of the center of the sleeves bearing all the pressure and the sides were not loaded. No real difference in the load on the tree.

Pappy

[Wkerber]

I tried some sleeves over my 1" straps. Result was 1" of the center of the sleeves bearing all the pressure and the sides were not loaded. No real difference in the load on the tree.

Pappy

That makes sense.

[CamoDeafie82]

wouldn't 2" Polyester seatbelt webbing be lighter than 2" Polypropylene webbing?

one could fold corners of the 2" webbing and sew on 1"-1 1/2" webbing for the cinch buckle end... this would have the advantage of easily found hardware, and possibly less weight than a sleeve or full 2" wide webbing all the way to the hammock suspension...

similar to how this Israeli canvas suspenders is done; 2" wide webbing, end corners folded then sewn onto 1" webbing for the hardware

[PappyAmos]

Use 2" polypropylene webbing (instead of polyester) for the 2" section of a composite tree strap. It is considerably lighter and has an 1800 lb rating.

Sounds like a great idea. May have to try that too to find the lightest way to do this.

Thanks,
Pappy

[PappyAmos]

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to this.

First let me say that Gary at RS made these straps to my specifications. He didn't suggest the makeup of theses straps. Hence, we don't hold him accountable for the weight of the first set of straps.

I contacted Gary at ReadyStrap and requested he make me some straps as follows:
- 2 - 1500 lb 6 in. Camo QuickDraws with black buckles.
- 2 - 7 ft lengths of 2 in. Black or Olive straps with 3 in. Loops sewn on one end. 6,000 lb would be good if you have it, otherwise 10,000 lb. Is OK.
- 2 - 7 ft lengths of 1500 lb, 1 in. Camo straps, no loops, each with one end sewn to the unfinished end of one of the 2 in. straps.

Here is what we ended up with:

Beautiful Work!



But they were Very heavy.


These will be good for use with the Hennessy Explorer Deluxe Zip that my wife uses once a year when we go spend a night with the grandkids.

So, I contacted Gary again and asked that he make me another set but with 3 ft (finished) lengths of 2" Seat Belt webbing and 7 feet of the same 1" camo poly straps.

Here is what we ended up with:


Half the weight


Much better but still heavier than I wanted. About this time I remembered a set of Hennessy 6 ft. Seat Belt straps I had tucked away. I cut them in half leaving a loop on one end of each. I then sewed 5 ft lengths of 1" camo webbing to them. I followed Gary's example by folding the sides of the SB straps over the 1" straps and sewing them down.

Hopefully Gary isn't ROTFL at my sewing!


Pretty Good!


So the straps as Gary made them but with a shorter 5 ft. piece of 1" camo strap aren't too bad weight wise.

So let's think about this:
- In my experience, the average tree I tie to is around 12" in diameter. A 2" strap 36" long will be just about right to go all the way around the tree.
- Two trees 15 ft. apart,
- Buckle to buckle length of the hammock is around 10 ft.
- The 5 ft. long 2" strap is mostly available to extend to the hammock and should be long enough.
- A couple of 2 ft continuous loops would be wise in case extensions are ever needed.

So, there are my results and observations. What do you all think?

Pappy

[gmcttr]

This reminded me about my earlier post on using polypropylene instead of polyester for the 2" webbing to save weight, so I made one today to give it a try.

4.5' - 2" polypropylene (1800 lb), 7' - 1" polyester (1500 lb) and some V92 polyester thread for a finished length of 9'-9" weighing 3.0oz.

IMG_4217 (Medium).JPG

The 2" polypropylene webbing is ~ 1/2 the weight of polyester seatbelt webbing and while it is considerably weaker, at 1800 lbs breaking strength, it is still stronger than the 1" 1500 lbs webbing.

[PappyAmos]

This reminded me about my earlier post on using polypropylene instead of polyester for the 2" webbing to save weight, so I made one today to give it a try.

4.5' - 2" polypropylene (1800 lb), 7' - 1" polyester (1500 lb) and some V92 polyester thread for a finished length of 9'-9" weighing 3.0oz.

IMG_4217 (Medium).JPG

The 2" polypropylene webbing is ~ 1/2 the weight of polyester seatbelt webbing and while it is considerably weaker, at 1800 lbs breaking strength, it is still stronger than the 1" 1500 lbs webbing.

Very nice indeed. I will be looking into some of the polypropylene to further my testing. Your sewing is beautiful! When are you holding the first class?

Pappy

[gmcttr]

The polypropylene webbing is from Strapworks. It is described as having lower abrasion resistance than polyester so I don't expect it to hold up as long. My thought is that if I ever had to use 2" straps, I'd be happy to trade longevity for lighter weight.

Watching one of Gary's videos where he sewed a strap loop, made me embarrassed by the way mine looked so I picked up the contrasting thread and have been putting more care into it. I've got a ways to go.

[Wkerber]

This reminded me about my earlier post on using polypropylene instead of polyester for the 2" webbing to save weight, so I made one today to give it a try.

4.5' - 2" polypropylene (1800 lb), 7' - 1" polyester (1500 lb) and some V92 polyester thread for a finished length of 9'-9" weighing 3.0oz.

IMG_4217 (Medium).JPG

The 2" polypropylene webbing is ~ 1/2 the weight of polyester seatbelt webbing and while it is considerably weaker, at 1800 lbs breaking strength, it is still stronger than the 1" 1500 lbs webbing.

Nice work...that's what I'm going to do as well. Just ordered some of Dutch's new 1" webbing to sew into the 2" strap. Wish I could have found green like your 2", but had to settle for safety yellow from TSC. Oh, well...shouldn't lose them that way.

[Wkerber]

The polypropylene webbing is from Strapworks. It is described as having lower abrasion resistance than polyester so I don't expect it to hold up as long. My thought is that if I ever had to use 2" straps, I'd be happy to trade longevity for lighter weight.

Watching one of Gary's videos where he sewed a strap loop, made me embarrassed by the way mine looked so I picked up the contrasting thread and have been putting more care into it. I've got a ways to go.

I'll be pleased if my stitching turns out as well as what you did.