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  1. #1
    New Member ryaex's Avatar
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    Newbie intro and a question?

    Hey all,
    I'm a new convert to the hammock, I just recently realized that the reason I no longer enjoyed camping was the horrible back ache I always had when I awoke in the morning. So I've got a HH Explorer Ultralight on order.
    I've been lurking here for a couple of days reading what I can as well as visiting every other forum I can think of in order to figure out to stay dry/warm and away from the mosquitos. In all this research I've seen that many of you are making your own hammocks and accessories as well.

    My question is this. What ever happened to the old Parachute silk Hammocks.
    I've got a perfectly good surplus parachute in my closet that I thought might make a perfect back yard or guest hammock. Is this a really bad idea (poor fabric durability, etc...) or what?

    Any input would be appreciated.

    Yes I do plan to get either a Nest or Speer's new Snugfit when finances allow.

    Thanks
    Ryan

  2. #2
    Senior Member FanaticFringer's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forum,

    Here's a thread about silk hammocks:
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...highlight=silk

    If you hav'nt already, check out this site for additional hammock info:
    www.tothewoods.net
    "Every day above ground is a good day"

  3. #3
    slowhike's Avatar
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    welcome to the group ryan. i don't know what the weight or breathability of your parachute is, but maybe some of the others here will be more familiar w/ parachutes.
    if not, chances are you could find some perfectly good hammock material in wal-mart's $1.00 bin. ...tim
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  4. #4
    Senior Member FanaticFringer's Avatar
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    "Every day above ground is a good day"

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by ryaex View Post
    Hey all,
    I'm a new convert to the hammock, I just recently realized that the reason I no longer enjoyed camping was the horrible back ache I always had when I awoke in the morning. So I've got a HH Explorer Ultralight on order.
    I've been lurking here for a couple of days reading what I can as well as visiting every other forum I can think of in order to figure out to stay dry/warm and away from the mosquitos. In all this research I've seen that many of you are making your own hammocks and accessories as well.

    My question is this. What ever happened to the old Parachute silk Hammocks.
    I've got a perfectly good surplus parachute in my closet that I thought might make a perfect back yard or guest hammock. Is this a really bad idea (poor fabric durability, etc...) or what? Ryan
    Any input would be appreciated.

    I really doubt it's made from "silk"....that's going way way back in the history of parachuting. Odds are 99.9% that it's ripstop nylon. Odds are that it's also still plenty strong enough for making a hammock.....jumping....I wouldn't be so sure. When I was jumping, the acid test was this....grab the material with both hands and try to pull it apart as hard as you could. If it ripped....don't jump with it. I was always afraid to do that for fear it might rip and I wouldn't be able to make a jump. Was that stupid or what? Ah....the exuberance and optimism of youth. What type of chute is it? Is it orange and white or green? Where you also a jumper?

    Thanks for bringing back some faded memories, Miguel

    Oh yeah....on my very first jump my main chute failed to open properly....obviously my reserve did. True story.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    i have a hammock bliss, that says parachute silk. it is just like the eno and the tree hugger brand. it's just nylon taffeta and around 2.2-2.3 oz/yd2. i called a parachute manufacturer, and as i understand it modern parachutes are made from ripstop nylon that is treated or processed maybe. don't think it's a coating, but it doesn't sound very breathable, so probably wouldn't be that great for a hammock, but if yours is older, it might be a breathable fabric, and i'm sure it's strong enough. good luck.




    Quote Originally Posted by ryaex View Post
    Hey all,
    I'm a new convert to the hammock, I just recently realized that the reason I no longer enjoyed camping was the horrible back ache I always had when I awoke in the morning. So I've got a HH Explorer Ultralight on order.
    I've been lurking here for a couple of days reading what I can as well as visiting every other forum I can think of in order to figure out to stay dry/warm and away from the mosquitos. In all this research I've seen that many of you are making your own hammocks and accessories as well.

    My question is this. What ever happened to the old Parachute silk Hammocks.
    I've got a perfectly good surplus parachute in my closet that I thought might make a perfect back yard or guest hammock. Is this a really bad idea (poor fabric durability, etc...) or what?

    Any input would be appreciated.

    Yes I do plan to get either a Nest or Speer's new Snugfit when finances allow.

    Thanks
    Ryan

  7. #7
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forums Ryan. Happy hanging.
    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett



    Premium Quality, Fresh Roasted Coffee
    www.meancatcoffee.com

  8. #8
    Senior Member Hooch's Avatar
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    Ryan, welcome aboard. Hope you like your HH when you get it. Just remember to HYOH.
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

  9. #9
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    Welcome to the group Ryan.

  10. #10
    Senior Member cameronjreed's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forums.

    Create the hammock from the parachute and then hang it (make sure to have some crash pads underneath, just in case. Take pictures and post them here. I, for one, would like to see it.

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