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  1. #1
    New Member dchuey's Avatar
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    550 Self-Tensioning Guy Lines

    I'd like to make some guy lines with black reflective 550 paracord and silicon tubing. I like the subdued look during the day with the ability to avoid them in low/no light conditions due to the reflective fibers.

    Do you guys think this would be overkill, foresee any issues, or should I just shut up and get the reflective guy lines that others have used? :P

    Getting bit by the DIY bug. >.>

    -DC

  2. #2
    Senior Member KayakCarl's Avatar
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    550 is a little on the thick side if your looking to fit the extra cord inside the tubbing. Just my $.02. I used a much smaller diameter cord on mine.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Can't Wait's Avatar
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    550 tends to absorb water and then gets heavy. try some thin spectra cord with some shock cord. I am a subdued type of guy and with the diameter of the cord you won't see until your right on it .

  4. #4
    Senior Member BrianWillan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dchuey View Post
    I'd like to make some guy lines with black reflective 550 paracord and silicon tubing. I like the subdued look during the day with the ability to avoid them in low/no light conditions due to the reflective fibers.

    Do you guys think this would be overkill, foresee any issues, or should I just shut up and get the reflective guy lines that others have used? :P

    Getting bit by the DIY bug. >.>

    -DC
    I agree with the other comments posted. 550 paracord is a little big to use for the tubing self tensioning lines. The other issue is that the paracord is nylon based and will stretch when wet. If you can, head down to your local REI and pick up some kelty triptease. It is reflective and makes good guylines.

    I personally use Zing It for my tarp guylines and ridgelines. It is strong, light weight, doesn't stretch, doesn't absorb water and can be spliced due to it being a hollow braid construction. So there are no knots to fuss with. I use a DIY version of the guyline system that whoopieslings.com makes.

    Cheers

    Brian
    Last edited by BrianWillan; 02-28-2011 at 22:39. Reason: slight correction

  5. #5
    Senior Member Roadrunnr72's Avatar
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    Some also use mason line. Just a thought.
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  6. #6
    Senior Member whayneneal's Avatar
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    +1 on the Whoopiesling.com guylines and ridgelines. Stu makes some excellent products and the customer service is extraordinary.

  7. #7
    New Member dchuey's Avatar
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    Crap. Didn't even think about the 550 absorbing water. I got the idea while looking at the zippers on my Switchback since they've got small loops of black reflective paracord on them.

    Thanks for the responses everyone. Responding from my cell at work, so I'll swing by REI in the morning. Probably just go with Smokebait's slings since I'm ordering a longer suspension from him anyway.

    Thanks again.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Rain Man's Avatar
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    Thumbs down

    Quote Originally Posted by whayneneal View Post
    +1 on the Whoopiesling.com guylines and ridgelines. Stu makes some excellent products and the customer service is extraordinary.
    Hmmmm... just went to the site. Can't find any "Contact Us" link, nor any contact information ... so far, that is.

    Did sign the guestbook with a question (since couldn't find any way to contact him otherwise) and it bounced back immediately with a "This is a permanent error;" "Mailbox currently suspended" error message.

    NOT trying to bad-mouth the guy, but ... what's going on? I don't like web sites that totally hide behind anonymity. If there's no email address, no phone number, and no physical mailing address, then I'm usually not doing business with them.

    Rain Man

    .
    "You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods

    http://www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker
    .

  9. #9
    New Member
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    Rain Man, the guy that runs that site is Opie on the forums here. See if you can send him a PM. I've ordered the ASR and slings from him, and he shiped them the same day I placed my order. I even ordered them this past Sunday and got a confirmation that he typed out, saying they'll ship with Monday's mail; I got the confirmation at 3am Monday morning.

    I've recieved the ASR already, and the quality is phenomenal. He hand makes all of his products, and I can't wait to get the slings and tree huggers in tomorrow. I'm just saying, don't give up on him! :-)

  10. #10
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by theoracle09 View Post
    Rain Man, the guy that runs that site is Opie on the forums here.
    I thought he sold that business to another forum member?
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

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