View Full Version : Where to buy webbing?
Hey everyone, I totally forgot that I have a friend here at work that sews, and she'd be more than happy to give me some lessons, sooooooooo, I think I want my first project to be straps.
So I need to know the following:
1. Where do I buy the webbing?
2. What strength does it need to be tested to?
3. How wide does it need to be?
4. How long is a good length for each strap if I want to try the speer 4-way wrap and then maybe convert to using buckles? (I'm not cutting my spectra just yet, but will tie it to a loop I sew into my strap or use a biner or something)
5. Do I need a special heavy duty needle for my friend's sewing machine, and do I need some special thread?
6. Will I most likely need to add a piece of yarn for drip strings now...in case the straps flip into a U shape? If so, where do I tie them on?
7. When sewing the loop on the end, will a box stitch w/an "X" in the middle be strong enough to hold?
8. Anything special I need to consider?
THANKS!! Depending on how easy it is to find the material, I might try this as early as next week. Kind of excited about it!
ShakeyLeggs
11-06-2006, 12:38
Here ya go
http://www.questoutfitters.com/index.html
http://www.owfinc.com/
Just Jeff
11-06-2006, 12:56
1. Where do I buy the webbing?
- I always get mine from Ed - www.speerhammocks.com
2. What strength does it need to be tested to?
- His ratings are posted on the products page...you should be good with the 1".
3. How wide does it need to be?
Hrm...I guess the HH ridgeline could increase the load. 1" is still probably good enough b/c you'll get some sag as you lay down. If you're unsure, he also sells 1.5".
4. How long is a good length for each strap if I want to try the speer 4-way wrap and then maybe convert to using buckles? (I'm not cutting my spectra just yet, but will tie it to a loop I sew into my strap or use a biner or something)
- 9-10'.
5. Do I need a special heavy duty needle for my friend's sewing machine, and do I need some special thread?
- I use the same small needle that I use for silnylon b/c I'm too lazy to change it. Maybe a bigger one would be easier but I've only had one problem and I'm not sure it's due to needle size. My bar tacks always get tangled, so I just use X-boxes instead.
6. Will I most likely need to add a piece of yarn for drip strings now...in case the straps flip into a U shape? If so, where do I tie them on?
- If you're tying the Spectra to the webbing, put the yarn on the Spectra.
7. When sewing the loop on the end, will a box stitch w/an "X" in the middle be strong enough to hold?
- Yes. I usually double up the X-box, though.
8. Anything special I need to consider?
- Lots of stitches across the webbing will weaken it. 2-3 X-boxes should be plenty w/o weakening the strap.
JMHO - that's how I do it. I'm sure other ways will work, too.
Cool thanks! I just put an order in. Do I use normal thread for this? I thought I read somewhere that you buy better quality thread for like $5.00 or something, and it makes sewing way easier?
Thanks again.
Just Jeff
11-06-2006, 14:44
Cotton thread will rot. You want 100% polyester thread. The cheap stuff gums up the machine and it'll break easily as you're sewing. It's worth it for the more expensive stuff - I use Gutermann's...it's like $5/spool.
Great thread! After checking Jeff's buckle system I'm sold on it. Sure is nice to have someone work out the bugs ahead of time. That system just looks soooo convenient.
Miguel
headchange4u
11-06-2006, 15:42
My local Ace Hardware also sell nylon webbing for about .35 per foot for the 1". I have some of the 1" webbing from Ed Speer and I can't tell the difference between the two.
Tom Claytor uses 1/2" webbing to hang his hammocks so IMHO the 1 1/2" may be a little overkill and extra weight.
Just Jeff
11-06-2006, 15:49
I think nylon webbing is high memory stretch. That means you may not see a difference b/c it returns to its original position after you take the weight off. If you really want to test it, mark an inch on the webbing, then get in and have someone measure the marks to see if it's still an inch. Then do the same w/ Ed's webbing and compare the stretch.
But if it's working, no reason to change it!
Is Claytor's webbing tubular? For some reason I thought it wasn't just a single layer of webbing.
headchange4u
11-06-2006, 16:05
Is Claytor's webbing tubular? For some reason I thought it wasn't just a single layer of webbing.
I have never seen it in person so I couldn't tell you for sure. I was just relaying what I read on the site. There is a pic of the webbing and it does look thicker than normal.
I bought some of the 1" double layer webbing in the climbing section of my local outfitters. I made a set of tree huggers from it, but they were so much heavier that the normal webbing I don't use them.
stoikurt
11-06-2006, 16:58
The problem with the buckles is they are only $2.00 each but the shipping is $8.00. So if you only need 2 of them they are quite expensive. Has anyone bought up a bunch of them they would sell with a little less expensive shipping?
blackbishop351
11-06-2006, 18:56
I'm guessing we're talking about the CC-type buckles
http://www.onrope1.com/index.php?mode=store&submode=showitem&itemnumber=dj101 ?
I'd be more than willing to go in with somebody to get a larger order together. I'd like to get ahold of at least four of these.
Polypropylene webbing, while pound for pound or inch for inch not as strong as nylon webbing, is preferred because of its lower stretch. Hang a hammock from nylon webbing and you might be dragging butt by morning as the webbing stretches. Most tubular webbing is nylon. The "give" of nylon tubular webbing can be great when rigging a top rope anchor, but you want something stiffer for prolonged hanging.
A small needle will sew adequately through webbing as it's usually not that tightly woven, but you'll certainly want to change the needle before sewing silnylon again as the webbing will likely blunt the needle tip. I like to start each project with a fresh needle and usually leave the webbing and other thick fabric stuff for the end so it doesn't always matter.
Check the thread for cotton. If it's got cotton, don't use it for outdoor gear. I once saw a signature line with the quote "friends don't let friends sew with coats and clark." Makes sense to me. The only exception is I sometimes use C&C upholstery thread (100% nylon) where I need an especially strong thread. Gütermann thread is 100% polyester.
I've found poly and nylon webbing at a local Ace Hardware store. Most don't carry it, so no guarantees. If you're near a lake, river, ocean or other place with boats and marinas your more likely to find it in stock. Otherwise, Ed sells it (and a lot of other good stuff) by the foot.
I'm guessing we're talking about the CC-type buckles
http://www.onrope1.com/index.php?mod...number=d j101 ?
I'd be more than willing to go in with somebody to get a larger order together. I'd like to get ahold of at least four of these.
Hey, which buckles on this site are you talking about? I might be interested in a few too.
blackbishop351
11-06-2006, 20:13
Fixed the link. It's the one Arkwater posted on Jeff's CC strap DIY thread.
slowhike
11-06-2006, 20:16
Hey, which buckles on this site are you talking about? I might be interested in a few too.
i`d like to get about 4 cc buckels too. when does the cost shipping go up for the original order? if someone`s going to do that, mabey you can check to get an idea how much each person should send you (along w/ the cost of the buckels) to be sure you don`t come up on the short end of the stick. ...tim
slowhike
11-06-2006, 20:21
.
6. Will I most likely need to add a piece of yarn for drip strings now...in case the straps flip into a U shape? If so, where do I tie them on?
.
i`m going to start another thread on drip lines so it will be easyer for people to find later. ...tim
i`d like to get about 4 cc buckels too. when does the cost shipping go up for the original order? if someone`s going to do that, mabey you can check to get an idea how much each person should send you (along w/ the cost of the buckels) to be sure you don`t come up on the short end of the stick. ...tim
Hey Blackbishop, seeing I've not even made my straps yet, if I wanted to put buckles on them I just need 2 right? These 1" buckles will work for the 1" webbing I ordered from Ed Speer right?
Just Jeff
11-07-2006, 09:31
Those look just like the buckles from Crazy Creek, and I use Ed's webbing. Should work fine.
headchange4u
11-07-2006, 10:32
I'm guessing we're talking about the CC-type buckles
http://www.onrope1.com/index.php?mode=store&submode=showitem&itemnumber=dj101 ?
I'd be more than willing to go in with somebody to get a larger order together. I'd like to get ahold of at least four of these.
If you do an order I would like to have some also. Just let me know.
Is Claytor's webbing tubular? For some reason I thought it wasn't just a single layer of webbing.
Claytor's webbing is not tubular but it does seem to be thicker than most flat webbing. It also has a very soft slippery hand so it is very easy to tie/untie etc. I really like it.
Miguel
Arkwater
11-07-2006, 11:42
I got the mosquito from JRB and the webbing with it is tubular. About 14' on each end. Nylon and kinda stretchy. It also is kinda slick.
blackbishop351
11-07-2006, 16:35
Hey Blackbishop, seeing I've not even made my straps yet, if I wanted to put buckles on them I just need 2 right? These 1" buckles will work for the 1" webbing I ordered from Ed Speer right?
This is really hard for me to say....coming from a gearhead....*GULP*..
You might wanna start simple and see how you like it. I'd suggest trying the straps by themselves with the 4-knot. If it's not what you want, THEN consider buckles or daisy chains....
Wow. I think I need a beer now :D
This is really hard for me to say....coming from a gearhead....*GULP*..
You might wanna start simple and see how you like it. I'd suggest trying the straps by themselves with the 4-knot. If it's not what you want, THEN consider buckles or daisy chains....
Wow. I think I need a beer now :D
Oh...don't worry, I've actually decided to sew in loops on both ends of my straps and NOT cut the spectra on my hammock. This will allow me to either tie my spectra to one end and use the straps w/the Speer 4-knot OR untie the spectra and use them as really really long tree huggers. I'm going to see how I like that first, and then consider buckles if neither works to my liking.
I just figured if an order was going in....I'd get a couple and have them handy for when/if I decide to go that route.
I think you need a beer too! :D The GRE alone will drive ya to drink!!