Any way to identify untagged nylon?

**p0key** · 07-15-2013, 15:27

There's a ton of ripstop on the dollar table at my local Ben Franklin's, but I don't know how to tell if it's heavy enough for a hammock. Some of it seems thicker, and some of it just seems stiffer. They had some that is shiny and slippery, so I bought all of that just in case it is sil nylon. That's what you make tarps out of, right?

I'm a big feller (240 naked and with an empty bladder), so I want the strongest nylon that's reasonable to carry, but maybe some of the lighter ones are strong enough for my daughter.

I picked one that seemed to be stiffer than the rest but I'm not positive that it was any thicker, even though the lady that helped me said she thought it was thicker and heavier. I'm making a hammock for my wife with that, and I'm going to keep an eye out for something with a label on it for myself. It's white with a floral pattern, so she's happy with it.

They also have a ton of very thin ripstop thats dark green with a dark floral pattern. It looks like it would make a very effective camoflage. I'll probably buy a bunch of it to make a tent or even just a ground blind for hunting. This is also on the $1 clearance table.

**gmcttr** · 07-15-2013, 15:47

Ripstop nylon weights are given per square yard. Cut a piece 36"x36" and weight it on a scale that is accurate in the 1-4 ounce range. You can also weigh a larger piece, calculate it's square yardage and divide the weight by that.

**p0key** · 07-15-2013, 18:12

Alright. Thanks. I didn't think it would be that easy.

**p0key** · 07-15-2013, 21:35

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Ripstop nylon weights are given per square yard. Cut a piece 36"x36" and weight it on a scale that is accurate in the 1-4 ounce range. You can also weigh a larger piece, calculate it's square yardage and divide the weight by that.

Okay, thank you. It turns out that what I used is 1.1oz. good thing it's for my wife. Now I know to stay out of it at least.

**gunner76** · 07-15-2013, 18:53

Or make it a double hammock. I have a double 1.0 that holds my 280 lbs, very comfortable.

**p0key** · 07-15-2013, 21:37

Originally Posted by gunner76

Or make it a double hammock. I have a double 1.0 that holds my 280 lbs, very comfortable.

How's that work? you just sew two layers together? do you have to quilt it to keep it together, or are the layers free to slide across each other? if you have to quilt it, do you feel the threads running across (or down or whatever)?

**sclittlefield** · 07-15-2013, 22:49

Originally Posted by p0key

How's that work? you just sew two layers together? do you have to quilt it to keep it together, or are the layers free to slide across each other? if you have to quilt it, do you feel the threads running across (or down or whatever)?

Just hem the edges together, don't quilt it together. A double layer hammock is a great way to use lighter nylon.

Enjoy your projects!

- Scott

**gmcttr** · 07-15-2013, 23:05

Originally Posted by p0key

How's that work? you just sew two layers together? ...

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

Just hem the edges together...

Scott is too modest...here's his DIY Guide for a double layer hammock.

**p0key** · 07-16-2013, 12:48

Thanks a lot guys. This may very well save me a ton of time finding heavier Nylon.

**gunner76** · 07-16-2013, 20:07

I usually just sew (hem) the edges of the two layers together all the way around. As Scott said, do not quilt.

If you plan to use a pad then sew (hem) the two pieces separately on one side and then on the other side sew (hem) the full length side of both layers together. Go Back and sew (hem) together about a 6" length in the middle of the two layers. That way you have an opening to slide your pad in between the two layers. I use a contrasting color piece on grosgrain to ID the side with the pad opening.

I plan to make a couple of more DIY double layer hammocks using some Coyote tan and USMC Camo 1.1 rip stop I just got in. Was also thinking about doing a Coytoe tan/USMC Camo double