Home Depot Mason Line Help

**Javaman** · 04-15-2009, 18:11

Originally Posted by damngoat

I have also been trying the tautline hitch and it still didn't have the results I was hoping for. I tried the additional turn in the tautline and it held better but still would still eventually slip as the tarp tension changed due to the gusting wind on the tarp.
After playing with it for a while I did notice that it started to hold a bit better where the fibers had fuzzed up a little from previous friction.

I did read on wikipedia the following on the tautline hitch which is inline with what Caboyer mentioned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taut-line_hitch

These hitches should not be depended on to hold fast under all conditions. With some particularly stiff or slick modern fibers (especially Polypropylene commonly called 'poly' based lines) they can be difficult to make hold at all. Sometimes it can be made more secure by using additional initial wraps and finishing half-hitches.[9]

Caboyer, thank you for the weight analysis test. It sounds like the cord would be more than adequate.

Warbonnetguy, it looks and feels like nylon but the packaging definitely is a little ambiguous around the composition. So it could be a mix. I will go back to HD to see if I can find one that says it is nylon.

I will have to try the additional wraps and a finishing half-hitch to see if it helps. If not it looks like it may be time to finally move to one of the other systems you fine gents have recommended.

Cannibal any websites or tutorials on the MSR Wrap?

DG

Check these links out, some of the knots and hitches may be helpful. I have used small diameter slick nylon line in these applications and have had good success.

http://www.bushcraftnorthwest.com/ar...ark_export.jpg

http://www.bushcraftnorthwest.com/articles/Knots.htm

Good luck.

**bonsaihiker** · 04-16-2009, 19:57

The mason line I got from Lowes wasn't very durable. It fuzzed out A LOT on its first use with a taut line hitch, and I wouldn't trust it for even a weekend. I think it would work fine with a series of loops to attach to your stake, where you would not have any friction on the line itself. I see others have had good luck with theirs, so I guess mileage varies.

**angrysparrow** · 04-16-2009, 20:01

Originally Posted by bonsaihiker

The mason line I got from Lowes wasn't very durable. It fuzzed out A LOT on its first use with a taut line hitch, and I wouldn't trust it for even a weekend. I think it would work fine with a series of loops to attach to your stake, where you would not have any friction on the line itself. I see others have had good luck with theirs, so I guess mileage varies.

Are you sure you had *braided* mason line, and not just *twisted* mason line? The twisted line does unravel much more easily.

**pizza** · 04-16-2009, 20:46

You definitely want braided nylon line and not twisted.

**headchange4u** · 04-17-2009, 09:17

Just FYI, but I have found differences even in the braided line. My first purchase was the bright yellow line from Home Depot. The line had a looser weave and had a tendency to pick up sticks and leaves. I bought a roll of the hot pink and the weave was much tighter and less prone to fraying and snagging. Both the yellow and pink line were manufactured by the same company. The stuff that Lowe's sells was also a very loose weave so I passed on it.

**headchange4u** · 04-17-2009, 09:23

If you check out my orginal Mason Line thread (post #13) you will see that I took some photos and compared the weave of the line. Basically I had some yellow Mason Line from warbonnetguy that was very different from the mason line I bought, although they were both purchased at HD and both were made by the same company and were the same color. It's weird for sure. The pink line I bought was almost the same as what I got from WBG.

**pizza** · 04-17-2009, 11:40

Yes there are a couple grades of braided nylon line from HD. The brighter neon yellow stuff is the lower quality looser weave. There is a tighter weave yellow but it's not really a bright neon color but rather a duller sweet corn color yellow.

**bonsaihiker** · 04-18-2009, 18:03

Mine is the twisted type for sure. I didn't see braided mason line at Lowes, or, actually, at HD IIRC. In fact, I remember that they both had the same stuff, from the same company. I'll have to stop by HD again and check it out for sure, because I don't actually always remember correctly . . .

**bonsaihiker** · 04-18-2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by headchange4u

If you check out my orginal Mason Line thread (post #13) you will see that I took some photos and compared the weave of the line. Basically I had some yellow Mason Line from warbonnetguy that was very different from the mason line I bought, although they were both purchased at HD and both were made by the same company and were the same color. It's weird for sure. The pink line I bought was almost the same as what I got from WBG.

That was a good link, thanks. Explains a lot.