7/64 Amsteel vs. Zing-It for Tarp Ridgeline

[cougarmeat]

For years I used that PMI (3mm) cord sold for about $5.00 for 50 ft hank at REI. It is thick enough that any knots are easy to handle and it grabs a Figure-9 okay. But last night I was looking at my alternate Dyneema. It is sure lighter - but that doesn't make it better. We have trees with thick (read "sharp") bark and those fancy fabrics (Dyneema/Amsteal) cut pretty easy under tension. If I were an weight weenie I might be more interested. I may make an ultralite setup I can just grab-n-go, but for most hanging purposes the thicker cord is just fine.

One thing I would have changed out if I hadn't already invested so much, is the guy cord. I use the Nite-eze green reflector cord and it isn't smooth. The reflecting part is like little chips that catch when sliding across itself when making knots. It's a small thing, but I'm reminded of that "feature" with each guy line I set.

[hutzelbein]

The problem with Amsteel (apart from the weight) is that it won't work with Dutch tarp bling. It also doesn't take knots very well. If I were on a budget, I'd rather use some cheap line of the appropriate size than forgo Stingerz. And Tarpworms. And Hookworms... You could also simply get a mini spool of Zing-It. It works out at $4.03 per 25' so you save $1.22 And 180' goes quickly. You'll find lots of uses for it.

[SilvrSurfr]

I'm more of a "right tool for the job" person. I also like Dutch bling which works best with 1.75 mm Zing-It.

[greyhound352]

I would use the amsteel for what you stated and use Ironwire for the ridgeline. Same size as zing-it.

http://lawsonequipment.com/Cordage/Ironwire-p1114.html

[DylanC]

Wow...so much information. From what I see on sites like Dutchware, the 1.75mm Dyneema/Zing-It/Ironwire lines have a 500# breaking strength and should be suitable for my hammock structural ridge line. If that's the case, I'll just skip the Amsteel for now and keep using my cinch-type straps for my suspension.

Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions!

[jons4real]

I think you made a wise choice.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[jons4real]

Wow...so much information. From what I see on sites like Dutchware, the 1.75mm Dyneema/Zing-It/Ironwire lines have a 500# breaking strength and should be suitable for my hammock structural ridge line. If that's the case, I'll just skip the Amsteel for now and keep using my cinch-type straps for my suspension.

Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions!

If money management is your priority, than i think you made a wise choice. I enjoy splicing and the clean-look it gives so I don't see the extra work as a burden. Have fun!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[bluzharp]

The problem with Amsteel (apart from the weight) is that it won't work with Dutch tarp bling. It also doesn't take knots very well. If I were on a budget, I'd rather use some cheap line of the appropriate size than forgo Stingerz. And Tarpworms. And Hookworms... You could also simply get a mini spool of Zing-It. It works out at $4.03 per 25' so you save $1.22 And 180' goes quickly. You'll find lots of uses for it.

Do you know if 2.2 mm zing it will work with tarpworms?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hutzelbein]

Do you know if 2.2 mm zing it will work with tarpworms?

I haven't tried to actually use the Tarpworms with 2.2mm Zing-It, so I don't know how well that works. But I tried to thread a 3mm line through the hole - that worked. If you are using 2.2mm line, I'd recommend splicing the loop, threading the line through the Tarpworms and do the backsplice last. It's already pretty hard to pull the backspliced end of a 1.75mm Lash-It through.

[bluzharp]

I haven't tried to actually use the Tarpworms with 2.2mm Zing-It, so I don't know how well that works. But I tried to thread a 3mm line through the hole - that worked. If you are using 2.2mm line, I'd recommend splicing the loop, threading the line through the Tarpworms and do the backsplice last. It's already pretty hard to pull the backspliced end of a 1.75mm Lash-It through.

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I have a bunch around so I might make some guy lines. It’s certainly easier to splice than 1.75.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk