Hammock Trouble

I made a hammock about 2 months ago and have been using it quite a bit. Almost every weekend, and sometimes every week. I made it out of nylon ripstop material. It worked very well for all this time, had a big net and all was swell. But just last night sleeping in it, I was a bit low to the ground, and up north one the Canadian shied I was close to the rocks. I guess at one point it hit the rock, or scratched and well it ripped. It was not a rip form head to toe, but a rip from one side of my waist to the other. Which sucks when at three in the morning you pack up everything and start canoing home early. I was wondering if when i tied the ends together there was too much pressure on certain spots then others. Im not to such why this happened. Was wondering if doubling the nylon over would make it stronger? If anyone has any suggestions that would be great full. I followed "Just Jeffs Hammock" and like I said was amazing first couple months but this was a downer. I love sleeping in hammocks!
Thanks,
andrew

if there was a small hole started by a sharp rock or whatever, i could definately see that happening. you could use two layers, or just a thicker/heavier/stronger single layer, or just be more careful around sharp objects lol...Brandon

Welcome to the forum Imagine.peace!:)
Ive used two layers of nylon tafetta for my hammocks. They worked fine. I believe if you use two layers of 1.1 oz nylon ripstop it would be much stronger than layered tafetta.

Welcome to the forum Image.Peace :)
I was contemplating using supplex for a strong (albeit a smidge heavier) single layer hammock.

yep, i don't know what weight fabric you used for your hammock, but most people would recommend at least a 1.9oz fabric.
i'm sure a second layer would help protect the main hammock body, even if it was a lighter fabric, but like the others said, be especially careful about rocks & sticks that might rub & damage the hammock. there's a lot of force being supported by that fabric & your depending on it for a good night's sleep.
welcome to the group. ...tim

I would also tend to think that any material light enough to hike with would rip pretty easily if it rubbed on something.

Once you get a small tear or rip, especially in the area of the hammock that gets a lot of stress, it will tear and continue to get larger. You can use heavier material, double layers, or other methods but the best this to do is just be careful when hanging your hammock. Be sure you have enough clearance from hazards that may be close by.

Welcome to the forum. I like the username.

Welcome imagine.peace,

I wonder how effective a needle and polyester thread (maybe some dental floss?) would have been if you had caught the rip earlier, or would the stress still have been too much?

"A stitch in time saves nine"?

Sounds like the real issue is tying it high enough and well enough to avoid sag to any obstacles....

FWIW.... although we all sometimes ignore having even ground under us, it is worth pointing out again, that every time we hang over any obstacle we have an increased risk should descender rings/knots slip or fail... dropping even a few inches under these conditions could result in injury or even death.....This same risk is why the hammock and suspension system should be inspected with every hang...

Pan

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Originally Posted by Peter_pan

.....This same risk is why the hammock and suspension system should be inspected with every hang...

Pan

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Hmmmmmmmm....Sounds like a PCI from earlier days. :confused: Or should I say A PHI?:rolleyes: BD

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Originally Posted by Bird Dog

Hmmmmmmmm....Sounds like a PCI from earlier days. :confused: Or should I say A PHI?:rolleyes: BD

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PCI ???

PHI ???

Pan

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Originally Posted by cameronjreed

Welcome to the forum Image.Peace :)
I was contemplating using supplex for a strong (albeit a smidge heavier) single layer hammock.

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I've been using Supplex for a year now. It's really comfortable against your skin, but a too heavy for my taste. At any rate, go for the 3.4 stuff. The 4+ ounce stuff it just to heavy.

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Originally Posted by NCPatrick

Welcome imagine.peace,

I wonder how effective a needle and polyester thread (maybe some dental floss?) would have been if you had caught the rip earlier, or would the stress still have been too much?

"A stitch in time saves nine"?

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What about duct tape?

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Originally Posted by funbun

What about duct tape?

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Or Super glue? Is there a good way to patch ripstop nylon in the field? I'd like to add a way to repair to my emergency kit.

I'm thinking that the contact cement that tent manufacturers supply with most new tents would work. You'd have to have a pretty big patch, though, to make sure the force is adequately distributed. On the other hand, I'm not sure if that cement is designed to handle that kind of stress...

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Originally Posted by Peter_pan

PCI ???

PHI ???

Pan

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PCI = Pre Combat Inspection

PHI = Pre Hang Inspection

BD

lol, I thought you were talking about computer interfaces.

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Originally Posted by funbun

lol, I thought you were talking about computer interfaces.

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Who me? I know nothing about computers. But I have experience unpacking EVERYTHING you own from your rucksack, laying itt in the hot sun on asphalt in the same order as the other 4,000 people in your brigade for the colnel to walk by and say "Why do you have that hammock? No one else does." BD

What did you tell him BD?

Nothing. the trick was to set up next to a guy with a dirty tent stake. they always think thats a big deal! As soon as they see the dirty tent stake they leave me alone. That, or I just hide the hammock in a pants pocket or under the ruck sack while laying my stuff out. BD

If mine rips I'm just planning on making a new hammock out of whatever I can find in the next town. The bed sheet hammock should be really comfy.

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

If mine rips I'm just planning on making a new hammock out of whatever I can find in the next town. The bed sheet hammock should be really comfy.

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Can't you just get someone to mail another hammock to you?

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Originally Posted by funbun

Can't you just get someone to mail another hammock top you?

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Yeah that's the plan, but that might take a week or so.

The post office has an overnight service.

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Originally Posted by funbun

The post office has an overnight service.

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yep... that would be an EMERGENCY!!!

Come on, no one want to see a bed sheet hammock but me? If I need to go that route, I might see how long it lasts.

Hey
Thanks for all that it was useful. So what i hear is i need some nylon that is 1.9oz per square meter? Well if anyone out there had a sweet dealer and was willing and able to give me some id gladly buy it from them. Also whats a good material for the tarp over your hammock? If i run into some rain i was to be protected.
Thanks

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Originally Posted by imagine.peace

Hey
Thanks for all that it was useful. So what i hear is i need some nylon that is 1.9oz per square meter? Well if anyone out there had a sweet dealer and was willing and able to give me some id gladly buy it from them. Also whats a good material for the tarp over your hammock? If i run into some rain i was to be protected.
Thanks

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SilNylon is the choice material for tarps. Look at the MacCat Tarps or the DIY version: the BlackCat. Great coverage and very lightweight.

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

Come on, no one want to see a bed sheet hammock but me? If I need to go that route, I might see how long it lasts.

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unless it's an old sheet that's worn thin, i'll bet it would work just fine... temporarily.
cotton should be plenty strong & comfy too. just don't let it get wet<g>.
we would defiantly want pictures though;)