Whipped hammock ripping?

**gbouchar** · 05-06-2010, 06:41

Hi.

2 years ago, i bought some cheap polyester from Wallmart. I took 10 feet and knotted it. I hung in it for sleeping one night and a lot of afternoon break. It was ugly but fun. This year, i finally hemmed it AND instead of knotting the end i whipped it (from Just Jeff very useful website). When i was into it yesterday i was hearing ripping sound. I get out fast. I got a hole near the whipping on the lowest part of my fabric (not on the edge). I knotted it again and it was fine. I lost some lenght tought. It is now too short.

Is this polyester not sturdy enough for whipping? It's not ripstop or anything. Is it only an error in my gathering+whipping? I have bought enough 1.1 oz nylon for sewing a double layer. Will i got the same problem?

Thanks!

**Just Jeff** · 05-06-2010, 07:33

I've never heard that polyester is too weak for whipping, but not having ripstop might make a small difference in that. I've whipped my ripstop polyester hammocks before and never had a failure there.

What size cord are you using for the support? I've had cord that's too thin abrade the hammock, and that could cause a rip if you let it go long enough.

**gargoyle** · 05-06-2010, 07:53

I could see some stress or abrasion to the fabric being caused by the previous knotting and whipping. It's a possibility, at least.
Realigning the fibers in the new way,may have exposed the stress points?

**gbouchar** · 05-06-2010, 09:44

Maybe the previous knotting gave abrasion to the fabric. I had not used it a lot but the original knot whas pretty tough to undo. One thing i just remembered: it was very crumpled when undone. I hemmed the first side and it was a real pain. I decided to iron it before hemming the other side. I was carefull but maybe ironning polyester weaken it?

I use 7/64 amsteel behind the whipping. It was the first use of this hammock whipped. I heard the ripping a few seconds after sitting in it.

I may sit in it for fun but i think i will not sleep in it now.

**gbouchar** · 05-09-2010, 20:50

I have sewn a new one with brand new polyester (cheap). Same whipping... no ripping! Maybe heat broke the fiber of the previous one. Will not do the same error again!

**krugd** · 05-09-2010, 21:08

I have a hammock made from WW polyester as well. I used it regularly last year with no problems. But a month ago after re-whpping I too heard a rip and was dropped (slowly) onto the floor. I made repairs, but yesterday I had a repeat - this time with a long tear and quick fall.

This is my only hammock with integral bugnet and I am trying to decide between salvaging the hammock or rebuilding the bottom with WW ripstop. I would advise against using non-ripstop materials for an hammock as I am fairly light (160 lbs) and yet had double trouble.

**PuckerFactor** · 05-10-2010, 18:19

How was it whipped? Double sheet bend? warbonnet style? I just gave my parents a microfiber polyester hammock that I whipped with Amsteel in a double sheet bend

Curious,
Acer

**krugd** · 05-10-2010, 19:37

Mine was originally whipped in the bunch and wrap style (generally following the Just Jeff pages.) It was when I switched to the channel/ blackbird style that it tore - perhaps the narrow twine was able to cut into the material to start the cut.

The real problem seems to be that once a tear starts there is no stopping it.

Ripstop seems to do much better in this regard.