Toggle Question

[fishbait]

Since Toggles don't support the weight of the hammock, can just about anything be used as a toggle? The reason I ask, I've noticed that the tubes that
are used in the rolls of dog waste baggies are 2 1/2" long. Could the plastic tubes be used as toggles or do you think they might fold from weight strain?

[Shnick]

As long as the knot and whoopie sling pressure doesn't collapse the tubular structure. I happened across some carbon fiber tubing that is probably .030" wall thickness, I make sure the knot is snug and wont roll when I have a seat.

Try it, but use caution.
Shnick

[Tendertoe]

The object has to be strong enough to withstand the crushing force of the hitch.

I've used pieces of plastic coat hanger with great success, however, they are solid and held up to the crush just fine. The tubes you are referring to, I believe, are hollow.

Not too sure how well they'd stand up to the forces.

[fishbait]

That's my concern. I've used them with my tarp with out any issues, but the stress is not the same as that of a hammock and my 200lbs of weight.

[firemedic]

If you have an archery shop close to home, stop by and see if they have the aluminum ends that they cut off when they made arrows from customers, that should work. They look to be about the same as what is being sold. more than likely they will be Easton arrows also.

[WV]

Some people have posted that toggles made from carbon fiber arrows can crush, whereas aluminum arrows seem strong enough. I've used the yellow plastic tubes that Guterman thread comes wound on, too, but prefer pieces of old aluminum tent poles. It's hard to beat a piece of 1/4" dowel or a trail stick, but I like having a toggle tied to the end of the tree strap.

[Shug]

I tried a plastic tube and it bent and crushed under stress.
Shug

[EDDAKA]

I second an archery shop. You could get aluminum, but you could try some carbon fiber as well.

[tncamper]

I've been using carbon fiber toggles for a while with no problems. I have heard of some crushing, but not sure if it was the toggles or if the whoopies were not hung "just right". If your not gram counter, I would go with aluminum. I'm not a gram counter, but I've been using them more for "testing".
http://www.buttinasling.com/suspension.html

[Buffalo Skipper]

When I first went to toggles, I turned these from some pen blanks. They are Purple Heart and Paduak:




I lost the purple heart toggle the first time I had it out. I just upgraded to cut pieces of 1/4", for a weight savings of about an ounce. I have hung with these 4 nights without incident.

I agree with everyone else here: hollow tubes (other than aluminum arrow shafts, which are good) can crush under the pressure of being squeezed.