Tree Straps - Sewing

**genixia** · 01-13-2015, 12:31

[QUOTE=miyanc;1389625] I am not a big fan of pinning and pinning straps is terrible. /QUOTE]

Wonderclips are awesome.

**momtaxi** · 01-13-2015, 13:32

Go here and look about halfway down.

http://www.bethandevans.com/load.htm

Anything other than a simple box with a cross broke at thousands of pounds. Yes X may be stronger than Y but you are possibly using other things in your system that have a lower failure rate. Personally as I'm not trusting my hammock to anything more than my butt 12" off the ground I'd rather that the $7 straps break first.

**h_ngm_n** · 01-13-2015, 14:31

Originally Posted by gmcttr

For maximum strength the pattern should be sewn over a length 3 times the width of the strap. 1"x3" for 1" webbing.

Perfect..thanks gmcttr!

**gmcttr** · 01-13-2015, 15:54

Originally Posted by momtaxi

Go here and look about halfway down.

http://www.bethandevans.com/load.htm

Anything other than a simple box with a cross broke at thousands of pounds....

Keep in mind that they used V138 (and some V92) thread which would have a breaking strength of ~22 lbs. The threads we normally use break from 3-7 lbs giving us much lower breaking strengths.

**ylnfrt** · 01-13-2015, 20:10

Thanks for posting this link - it was a very interesting read.( now in my favorites for ref.) Personally I use the multi-bar tacks (5 , but will go to 6 NOW) or the multi-peak long stitching. Have had no problems with both methods. So where does one get this V138 and/or V92 thread? Is this what Guttermanns (sic) thread is?

**gmcttr** · 01-13-2015, 22:42

Home machines are rarely capable of handling V92 and V138 thread. A commercial machine is usually needed.

**Rain Man** · 01-14-2015, 15:40

If memory serves, it's not the strength of the sewing thread, but the friction of the fabric against fabric that yields the strength of attachment/bonding.

As a somewhat related example, I've hung merely by wrapping my straps around trees. The friction alone held me up.

**Firesong** · 01-14-2015, 17:15

Reading the post on strengths it doesn't say anything about friction. He does say the the more amount of thread in a smaller but not over lapping area is better than a long stretch of stitching. but the way it starts to break is interesting. 3 bars of zigzag stick close together is better than 4 inches of single boxed and 'x' in thread. Very interesting read.

**mountain_man_mike** · 01-14-2015, 17:18

If using a home machine you might want to use the W or box with an X stitch with at least 2" of stitching to secure the webbing together. I tried a bar tack and found that sometimes the webbing is weakened by the piercing if the needle causing a failure. The failure was more than likely operator error but since using a W or box with an X stitch I have had zero issues.

**Ratdog** · 01-14-2015, 17:43

Originally Posted by mountain_man_mike

If using a home machine you might want to use the W or box with an X stitch with at least 2" of stitching to secure the webbing together. I tried a bar tack and found that sometimes the webbing is weakened by the piercing if the needle causing a failure. The failure was more than likely operator error but since using a W or box with an X stitch I have had zero issues.

Hadn't thought of that. Have been using bat tacks on the last dozen straps and am will pleased with the results. Time to go back and take a look at how they are holding up.