Since its not ripstop, when it fails it will really fail hard! Somewhere on the web, some one made a hammock out of silk, sounded pretty good, (except no ripstop) I almost made one, and then happened to come across a hiking journal entry about the silk hammock failing (massive rip) on the 2nd day of a 2 week trip. Needless to say, the hiker was not happy! He spent the rest of his trip sleeping on the ground. I think the key word it "fail safe" !
Any updates?
Maybe not... it's a non-woven. It's hard to tear even when it's already torn.Originally Posted by stevebo
- MacEntyre
- MacEntyre
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
www.MollyMacGear.com
I'd really like to hear about anyone's experiences, methods, lessons learned, etc. My son and I are debating on whether to create a pair of Tyvek hammocks and tarps for use during our monthly Boy Scout campouts. He's a Star scout and I'm an ASM. For the last several years I've used a way too heavy (but roomy) Eureka Tarragon dome tent and he uses a nice Eureka Spitfire UL tent.
I haven't made anything but large mailing envelopes with Tyvek. I've found that the needle punches a large hole, and thread looks like it is going to rip right through it; however, the USPS has failed to break open any of my packages. A couple of them have been re-used without a problem.
When you stitch Tyvek, tape it first. That way, the needle goes through the tape and the Tyvek, and makes a seam or a hem that feels nice and strong. I use Gorilla tape on Tyvek seams.
I think it is worth doing! Good luck!
- MacEntyre
- MacEntyre
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
www.MollyMacGear.com
RE: Pair of tyvek hammocks for sleepouts:
Personally, I've used washed/softened tyvek (9x9 square) as a tarp shelter with great success. Given that Wally world has ripstop nylon at $1.50/yd, I'd save the Tyvek for a shelter or make Garlington insulators out of them...
From a durability standpoint, I'd expect the whipping to slide off the end before the material failed.
I've made bivy sacks from 3' wide tyvek and double-sided carpet tape with good results... Tyvek is amazing stuff...
Your Wally World still has a fabric dept?!?!?!?!
Consider yourself lucky.
Those who sacrifice freedom for safety, have neither.
Do not dig your grave with your teeth. (Unknown)
I made a single layer one two years ago only to have it fail in testing in the back yard.
I made it Speer like, by knotting the ends and pulling a larks head loop around it with cord.
It failed in about 15 minutes and failed spectacularly. One second I was comfortable, the next moment I was laying on the ground. No warning, instant failure.
That's when I gave up on the idea.
Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage
William Shakespeare
"Insert witty and intelligent statement here"
^^^Failed how? Did the knot pull out?
Dave
"Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."~~~May Sarton
There are advantages to living in a big city, but it did take me to 4 WW stores before I found what I was looking for... probably wasted more $$ in gas than just ordering the stuff online anyway...
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