Parachute Silk

[Cedar1974]

I was looking on eBay and found a pretty good deal on Surplus parachute silk. I was wondering if anyone here has tried using this to make a Hammock from. I figure it would be light, strong, and easy to dye since it is White. Any thoughts?

[Carver]

Smokejumpers had to change out from silk chutes to nylon because of the damage done by grasshoppers before the chutes could be packed out and returned to the loft.

[Cedar1974]

So, are you saying the Silk is more susceptible to damage by bugs in the wild? Good to know, thanks.

[Carver]

The chute maybe nylon and not silk. We would often use cargo chutes to sleep in at a time when the FS was using paper sleeping bags.

[Cedar1974]

Ok, it is actually Nylon. I didn't read the description all the way. Also at $4.35 a yard for new off the roll, I should have known is wasn't actual silk. But it is still a good deal. I may try to get some to make a Hammock from.

[Firesong]

I was looking at some nylon used in military parachutes. 1.0-1.1 non calendared 6.6 nylon. Very soft. Unfortunately it was 4' wide on the roll. Not interested in panels. Very nice feeling stuff though.

[quint40]

FYI...Ripstop by the roll has 1.9 oz nylon ripstop nylon for 3.95/yd + 15% off until the 20th.

[MagnaFabrics]

The wholesale pricing for calendered parachute nylon fabrics is below $1 a yard. I would suggest that you stay with fabrics that are manufactured in the USA in order that you know what you are getting.

[old4hats]

I would pay the extra dollar or two and get some real, proven hammock material. Just my 2cents worth.

[MagnaFabrics]

If you want to see why people will pay $5 for a bottle of EVIAN water try reading it backwards! We sell fabric that is made for the United States military and only sell wholesale, work on a very small margin and ship directly from .the factory in order to keep the cost low. Anybody is welcome to request free samples for comparison.