What about paracord for bridge

**LisaJ5227** · 09-12-2011, 22:31

I am making my first bridge hammock for my husband and found some paracord at a great price. Could I use that for instead of Amsteel? Our want list is growing now that we have seen all the great DIY gear on here and I am a good seamstress (

if I do say sew myself) but, Amsteel is so expensive is'nt it kinda overkill? What about Supplex vs ripcord and I have yet to see parachute material on here is there a reason? Thanks

**pndwind** · 09-12-2011, 22:38

Most paracord is rated at 550# amsteel is about 1600#. Paracord might work for awhile but the stresses can take their toll. Better safe than sorry.

**Joey** · 09-12-2011, 22:40

paracord streches, and holds water when wet. Amsteel is stronger, doesn't strech, and doesn't retain water. IE - worth the extra cost.

**JayS** · 09-12-2011, 22:44

Originally Posted by Joey

paracord streches, and holds water when wet. Amsteel is stronger, doesn't strech, and doesn't retain water. IE - worth the extra cost.

What Joey said...

**lymphocytosis** · 09-13-2011, 14:13

Spring for the amsteel. Better safe than sorry. The forces that actually get applied to your suspension are dependent on the angles involved and if there is movement in the hammock (which there necessarily will be). All of those factors can results in forces far greater than the weight of the user being applied to the suspension.

**default** · 09-13-2011, 14:27

i really think we need to sticky something on the front page

"paracord is bad"

**mbcruzin** · 09-13-2011, 15:24

I have to agree with REV on that. I was hangin at a Scouting event this last weekend. A younger scout had made his own gathered end hammock using paracord. I had warned him about to much stress on the cord and it will pop. He wasn't inclined to take my heed. later on that evening there was a snap, a slam and an OUCH

. He asked me where he could get some amsteel the next morning.

**Jazilla** · 09-13-2011, 15:47

Originally Posted by LisaJ5227

I am making my first bridge hammock for my husband and found some paracord at a great price. Could I use that for instead of Amsteel? Our want list is growing now that we have seen all the great DIY gear on here and I am a good seamstress (

if I do say sew myself) but, Amsteel is so expensive is'nt it kinda overkill? What about Supplex vs ripcord and I have yet to see parachute material on here is there a reason? Thanks

Are you thinking of using paracord for the suspension triangle or for the rolls in the hammock body?

**Gumbo** · 09-13-2011, 15:51

Originally Posted by Jazilla

Are you thinking of using paracord for the suspension triangle or for the rolls in the hammock body?

Maybe I'm missing something here, but would that really matter? It would only ever be as strong as the weakest link.

**trinni** · 09-14-2011, 01:02

Paracord stretches, Dyneema does not (which Amsteel blue is made out of i guess). I've used paracord in the very beginning not really knowing what I was doing -- it all ends with an ouch and a "paracord no more". Here in Germany, I am using DIY-whoopies out of Liros D Pro 3mm 900daN at 0.79 EUR/m -- in other words: very long whoopies for less than 10 USD. Don't think that's expensive if you want to hang safe.