Prusik that stays on Tech Line

**Rgray107918** · 02-26-2013, 03:55

I recently got some 1.9mm Tech Line from DIY Gear Supply, and was having a hard time getting a prusik knot to hold on it. I was originally trying to get a prusik of 1.9mm Tech Line to hold on itself, but it wouldn't really hold very well.

What I eventually did was take 3 strands out of a length of 550 cord, braided them together, and tied them with a double fisherman's. Voila! Holds pretty well, but will slip under really heavy load. I'm using it on a 14' cat cut tarp as an "over" ridgeline. It didn't slip from ~5-10mph wind and me pulling/tugging on the tarp. However, if I pull directly on the biner clipped to the prusik it will give. We have some 15-25+mph winds and rain coming up soon so we'll see how it does then.

I'm testing out all my new gear so hopefully I made everything correctly and set it all up correctly

Hope the Tech Line prusik info helps someone else.

**Spyvenom** · 02-26-2013, 04:10

Ah. I am having the same problem and a newbie so any info you get will aid me as well.

**Rgray107918** · 02-26-2013, 04:35

Sweet! FWIW, I had to do 5 turns on the 550 cord prusik for it to stay.

This was the quick method I used to make my prusiks. I pulled out about 4 feet of the inside 500 cord. Braided the whole length and tied it off. Then I tied off sections of different lengths with two knots and cut in between the knots. The reason I tied off different lengths was to make larger and smaller loops for prusiks of different lengths/wraps.

If "~" is braided section and "*" are knots, it was like this:

(knot on end)~~~~~~~~~~*~*~~~~~~~~*~*~~~~*~*~~(knot on end)

I only give a detailed explanation of the knotting, because the first time I tried cutting the braid without knotting off sections.....and it all unraveled and I had to start over.

**Agfadoc** · 02-26-2013, 05:58

I used the cheap nylon (non coated) cord that came with my guide gear tarp.

think any non coated material should work as long as you don't have two coated, it should work fine as a tie out.

**fallkniven** · 02-26-2013, 06:35

I have used a prusik with that tech line a few times. Use it right now on my Molly Mac Gear Box. It will definitely will hold, just need more wraps. I think I get 3 or 4 to hold. Also, if using a continuous loop, make sure only one strand is wrapped, not the part which has a bury, making the cord thicker.

**Mountnman** · 02-26-2013, 08:44

Originally Posted by fallkniven

I have used a prusik with that tech line a few times. Use it right now on my Molly Mac Gear Box. It will definitely will hold, just need more wraps. I think I get 3 or 4 to hold. Also, if using a continuous loop, make sure only one strand is wrapped, not the part which has a bury, making the cord thicker.

+1 on more wraps, that should do it

**BrianWillan** · 02-26-2013, 18:27

Originally Posted by Mountnman

+1 on more wraps, that should do it

The better option if you don't want the prussic or other friction knot to slip under tension is to use a smaller diameter line for the prussic loop.

That is how they are designed to work.

Cheers

Brian

**Rgray107918** · 02-27-2013, 01:11

What great info! I think I need to work the "newness" out of my tech line, or work on my prusik technique more.

I wonder if it would be better to try a prusik loop made out of just a single inside strand of 550 cord on the tech line, rather than my three strand braids?

Anyone know if a single strand of 550 would be strong enough to hold the tension of a tarp ridgeline? By strong enough I mean both breaking strength and prusik friction strength.

**fallkniven** · 02-27-2013, 07:41

Originally Posted by Rgray107918

What great info! I think I need to work the "newness" out of my tech line, or work on my prusik technique more.

I wonder if it would be better to try a prusik loop made out of just a single inside strand of 550 cord on the tech line, rather than my three strand braids?

Anyone know if a single strand of 550 would be strong enough to hold the tension of a tarp ridgeline? By strong enough I mean both breaking strength and prusik friction strength.

I tried that before, a single inner strand from paracord for the prusik, and some solid 3/16" generic cord. The prusik cord was way too small, and wouldn't loosen up after loaded. Had to cut them off.
The real way to use a prusik, is with a smaller diameter cord, that;s hollow and soft, to really grab. Although, it's also because people climb with it. To hold up up your tarp, you can use whatever you have.

Below are pictures of a prusik I use on my molly mac gear box, that supports the weight of all my gear. It's with that 1.9mm tech line from diy gearsupply. Works great.

**old4hats** · 02-26-2013, 08:49

Braided mason's line from Home Depot will also work. I even have some small continuous loops of the braided line that work well on the tech line as prussics.