I'm here to post a story/warning for those who engage in the practice of making your own gear.
Late Feb/Early March are typically some of the driest weeks here on the east coast and probably elsewhere as well. Sinus infection aside, there is another danger lurking around the corner for the gentle hammock maker cutting fabric on his kitchen table or basement floor.
You pull the 40 sq ft of nylon off of the workshop table, or better yet, a full 70 sq feet for that new tarp you're making for the coming months. As you bundle it up into your arms, you slowly begin walking over to your sewing machine.
That metal sewing machine...
...that grounded metal sewing machine...
(If you're squeemish, turn away now).
You sit down and reach to check the bobbin. Your arm reaches for the casing, and then, out of nowhere, you sense it. It's too late.
Two inches away from the machine - you can see the electrons beginning to arc. Again, too late.
For the sake of the ears of the children in the next room, put a humidifyer in your sewing room or ground the static charge you've just built up somewhere when you're expecting it! One of the worst feelings in the world is dropping a pair of scissors on your project when you unknowingly get really badly shocked, putting a hole in your nice new hammock body.
-Brian
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