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  1. #1
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Loving the mason's line!

    I should start this off by saying that I'm not a moron--just cheap and lazy. I've been using 550 paracord as guy lines because (a) I had it on hand, and (b) I wanted to set up a tarp NOW. The tarp is a harbor freight poly thing (heavy as a bowling ball) so weight was obviously not an issue. And actually, the paracord has a nice, reassuring bite to it that gives me a sense of security for my adjustable grip hitches. My only realized problem was that black and olive drab paracord is a little too stealthy, and that a clod/ oaf (which I am) could easily find himself tripping over his guy lines even in broad daylight (which I do). But when I found myself in Lowe's with just under $5 left over from a project, and stumbled on to some bright pink mason's line, I decided to purchase it and swap out the paracord guy lines.

    I know I started this thread by saying I am not a moron--I will have to recant that. It rained for three days straight a month or two ago, so I ran outside to set up the tarp to see how it would hold up to wind and rain. When the weather cleared, and the tarp dried off. I wrapped my paracord guy lines in a figure eight, and snugged them nice and tight. They were still damp, and when the dried they were like steel coils--the adjustable grip hitch was doing a ton of gripping and no adjusting (I about lost three fingernails and as many teeth getting the paracord untied (they grow back, right?). I replaced the paracord with the mason's line, tied my adjustable grip hitch and tested it out. Loop adjustment was slippery as an eel (which had me worried), but when I let go of the hitch and pulled the line it was like tugging on a bowline; it wouldn't budge. Grabbed the hitch and tested the adjustment again--eel-like. SWEET!

    It wasn't until I was storing the tarp and guy lines that I realized that I truly am a moron. While weight is not an issue with me, the paracord was bulky and annoying; I just hadn't realized it. With the Mason's line, it's like it isn't even there--tucks right in with my tensioners, and saves TONS of space. I can't believe I waited this long to do a $5 dollar fix.
    (actually, it's not that hard to believe... I'm a moron ).
    Last edited by timabababaluka; 05-06-2011 at 11:10. Reason: specificity
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

  2. #2
    Senior Member Kasuko's Avatar
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    Is this the twisted nylon version? I bought some of this a couple days ago. I haven't had a chance to try it out on a tarp yet but I was playing with it and it won't hold a prussic so I was curious about a hitch.
    I like metric, I use metric, for those of you who don't ... you should, for those of you who won't ... here.
    0*C - 32*F, 10*C - 50*F, 20*C - 68*F, 30*C - 86*F
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  3. #3
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kasuko View Post
    Is this the twisted nylon version? I bought some of this a couple days ago. I haven't had a chance to try it out on a tarp yet but I was playing with it and it won't hold a prussic so I was curious about a hitch.
    I've only ever seen the twisted kind up here. Some of the mason's twine discussed in various threads is braided. I have some braided nylon line from Lee Valley I have tried that is similar to mason's twine. It's spliceable and strong enough for tarp guy out use but the nylon can snag.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  4. #4
    Dutch's Avatar
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    Try to get the braided. It holds together much better.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kasuko View Post
    Is this the twisted nylon version?
    Yes, it is the twisted line. Some of the braided stuff that bubba mentions (above) would be awesome, but I've never seen it. If your prussics aren't holding you might try additional loops in it. Slippery as the twisted nylon is, a taught-line hitch holds well, and again, you can always add an extra loop or two to make extra sure.
    Last edited by timabababaluka; 05-06-2011 at 11:33. Reason: don't know my up from down
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

  6. #6
    Senior Member Diab's Avatar
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    I used the braided mason line to make tiny whoopie slings as tarp pull outs and they work great

  7. #7
    New Member
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    Florescent Yellow Braided Mason's Line is available online at Home Depot and may be in some stores.
    http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

    Hope that helps

  8. #8
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dutch View Post
    Try to get the braided. It holds together much better.
    Quote Originally Posted by Diab View Post
    I used the braided mason line to make tiny whoopie slings as tarp pull outs and they work great
    The stuff sounds like heaven in a spool--I'll keep the radar on and the antennas out. Thanks all!
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

  9. #9
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    The Home Depot pic looks like the line is twisted and not braided unless its just me.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  10. #10
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by spiffy View Post
    Florescent Yellow Braided Mason's Line is available online at Home Depot and may be in some stores.
    http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

    Hope that helps
    It does. I love how well my radar works on this forum! Gonna have to make a detour on my way home from work to check and see.
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

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