cordage and terms

**Syrrka** · 09-14-2013, 18:04

Hey, What kind of cording do you use to connect the hammock to the tree strap? I have a whipped end hammock. I have some utility line from REI and some paracord and some slippery blue and white stuff that I took off of the ENO Profly. Would any of that work, or do I need to get some of that there amp steel stuff. I am making a hammock for a 220 lb guy and I kinda want him to be safe. Also what is meant by a "bury"? Is there a dictionary for noobs?
Thanks

**Shug** · 09-14-2013, 18:23

Originally Posted by Syrrka

Hey, What kind of cording do you use to connect the hammock to the tree strap? I have a whipped end hammock. I have some utility line from REI and some paracord and some slippery blue and white stuff that I took off of the ENO Profly. Would any of that work, or do I need to get some of that there amp steel stuff. I am making a hammock for a 220 lb guy and I kinda want him to be safe. Also what is meant by a "bury"? Is there a dictionary for noobs?
Thanks

I have had utility line and paracord break on me.
Look at webbing suspension and/or whoopie slings. Bury is a splicing term used on whoopie slings and the like.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ead.php?t=8843

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ead.php?t=8939

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ead.php?t=9996

Carry forth.
Shug

**Syrrka** · 09-14-2013, 18:49

Thanks Shug. Shoulda looked around a bit more before asking....

**nothermark** · 09-14-2013, 20:27

bury is the area of any splice in hollow core line where one line passes through the core area of the line being spliced. With most splices the line ends in the bury. With a whoopee it comes out again so the size of the eye can be adjusted.

You can use any kind of line with two proviso's. It needs a breaking strength high enough and it should not stretch under load.

Nylon tends to stretch under load and with moisture. Paracord is nylon and is only rated at 330 lbs.

A common multiplier for life support equipment is working load at 1/10 breaking strength. (10:1 ratio) Some folks go lower in strength and survive. After all it only needs to be stronger than the given load. It all depends on how much one is willing to gamble.

You can use weaker material in larger sizes or stronger in smaller. That is where amsteel comes in. It is stronger than steel wire and more flexible but has some other limitations. OTOH there are straps available that combine the hugger and suspension in one piece of cordage. One can also use larger diameters in other materials. I have a lot of hours in the back yard hanging from 1/2" dacron yacht braid. Nice but heavy/bulky for packing. ;-)

**VictoriaGuy** · 09-14-2013, 21:22

Check out some numbers from 'TheUltimateHang':
Hang angle, body weight and force on suspension

You'll see why 7/64 Amsteel or substantial webbing/rope is preferred for hammock suspensions!

Besides the things nothermark mentions about safety margins, it's important to have a bit of 'extra' to allow for chafe and wear as you use the line.

**lostagain** · 09-14-2013, 23:50

The thing with Amsteel is that even after you splice it, the break strength still remains at 60% of the rope strength. So, 7/64ths breaks at 1600lbs, the math says post-splice the break strength drops to 960lbs. The bigger size line, the higher the break strength. So, if you got silly and bought some 5/16ths size line, your initial break strength is 13,700 lbs. Of course the line is a lot heavier too.

If you're concerned with his hanging safety, then go with the Amsteel and check down in the DIY section for how to work it in to a whoopie sling. There's good info here too:

Whoopie Sling splice instructions

**Syrrka** · 09-15-2013, 16:40

Thanks for all the info. Another question. If I use Amsteel, will a knot work as well as a splice? If so, what kind of knot or will I have to learn how to do a splice....

It appears that I will be making another hammock for another friend, so this info will be very helpful.

**VictoriaGuy** · 09-15-2013, 19:01

Originally Posted by Syrrka

Thanks for all the info. Another question. If I use Amsteel, will a knot work as well as a splice? If so, what kind of knot or will I have to learn how to do a splice....

This comes up fairly often in discussions here.

A knot is never as strong as a good splice.

You won't have any trouble learning to splice AmSteel. Splicing the thinner stuff like ZingIt is a tiny bit more difficult.

Splicing hollow braid like Amsteel is so easy that most old-timers don't even consider it 'real splicing'. The learning curve for splicing hollow braid is a very gentle incline.