Rigging a hammock with constrictor ropes (UCR's)...

**Frawg** · 06-30-2010, 17:26

Originally Posted by opie

I forget who at the moment but someone is using a section of doubled over latex or silicone tubing.

I think that would be me.

It's old slingshot rubber (latex, I think), and works surprisingly well.

Edit: actually, I think he was looking for something other than rubber....

**opie** · 06-30-2010, 18:16

Originally Posted by Frawg

I think that would be me.

It's old slingshot rubber (latex, I think), and works surprisingly well.

Edit: actually, I think he was looking for something other than rubber....

Whoops... Missed that part.

**miisterwright** · 06-30-2010, 18:56

I was mostly trying to get rid of the knots, so the rubber tubing is good, but I also wanted to work with what I have, and I think my wife went and sold my sling shot. I whipped the problem ends with dental floss, then remembered I had mason line, so I just put that over the floss. Having a bright orange spot of mason line the highlight where the end of the bury is might be nice.

If the whipping doesn't do it for me this weekend, I'll get som tubing.

**Frawg** · 06-30-2010, 19:20

Originally Posted by miisterwright

I was mostly trying to get rid of the knots, so the rubber tubing is good, but I also wanted to work with what I have, and I think my wife went and sold my sling shot. I whipped the problem ends with dental floss, then remembered I had mason line, so I just put that over the floss. Having a bright orange spot of mason line the highlight where the end of the bury is might be nice.

If the whipping doesn't do it for me this weekend, I'll get som tubing.

I've experimented with whipping and it worked fine for me. Doesn't really take all that much force to hold the end -- less if the UCR is longer and more if it is shorter.

**miisterwright** · 06-30-2010, 19:24

Originally Posted by Frawg

I've experimented with whipping and it worked fine for me. Doesn't really take all that much force to hold the end -- less if the UCR is longer and more if it is shorter.

Did you find anything less-than-ideal while experimenting with it? Should I consider something else, or is it just preference?

**Frawg** · 06-30-2010, 20:07

Originally Posted by miisterwright

Did you find anything less-than-ideal while experimenting with it? Should I consider something else, or is it just preference?

I'm inclined to think it's a matter of preference. I preferred the resilience of the elastic tubing over the rigidity of whipping. Plus, I was using mason line for the whipping and couldn't get it to stay tight for very long. Dental floss or whipping twine might work better. I'd say follow your own instincts and let us know what you come up with.

Edit: I forgot that one idea was to use small diameter shock cord for the whipping. It worked but, again, I had problems keeping the whipping tight. Probably my ineptitude...

**opie** · 06-30-2010, 22:03

I would think it would be difficult to keep the whipping tight if you dont crank it down nice and tight. Do that on the ends of the UCR constrictor and you wouldnt be able to move it easily.

My understanding is what keeps the whipping locked down is the tension created by cranking the wraps down.

**Frawg** · 06-30-2010, 22:29

Originally Posted by opie

I would think it would be difficult to keep the whipping tight if you dont crank it down nice and tight. Do that on the ends of the UCR constrictor and you wouldnt be able to move it easily.

My understanding is what keeps the whipping locked down is the tension created by cranking the wraps down.

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks, opie!

**opie** · 06-30-2010, 22:33

Originally Posted by Frawg

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks, opie!

Ive only toyed with whipping... But when it requires the use of pliers when setting the wraps, I think its for a reason!!!

**miisterwright** · 07-06-2010, 17:11

Originally Posted by Frawg

...let us know what you come up with.

After using the UCR's with whipped ends for a weekend, I'm satisfied with the UCR's, but not with the whipping. I was using a 10" bury and that held just fine. The whipping started to come loose after setting up the hammock twice. I didn't use a very complicated whipping method and didn't crank it down tight like I normally would. The only hicccup I had was when my wife, who was hanging next to me under one tarp, rubbed against my suspension line and dropped me a few inches.

I think whipping may still be a good option, but it may need to be a more secure method or may need to be really tight. I don't think a 1/4 inch of tight whipping will lock up the constrictor making it unusable. I think I'll play with some other whipping methods to see if they loosen up, and also see if cranking it down tight works.

I prefer the UCR over whoopie sling because of the added length for the same amount of line, but whoopie slings may be the better choice if someone else will be in close proximity because they are more secure when loaded.