How do you finish off the bungee cord when making poles for tarp pull-outs
Started my next DIY project today - making my own tent poles to spread the tarp side pullouts.
After entertaining the family with my step-by-step discoveries as I built my first tent pole , the finale was cutting the bungee cord half the length of the pole (54" pole, .340 size), - as suggested by QuestOutfitters, then trying to feed a 27 inch bungee cord down 54 inches of tent pole.
I'm guessing the "right" way is to pretend I have an unlimited supply of bungee cord (I can always get more from QuestOutfitters) and cut it a little longer than the full pole length. Attaching one tip end is easy enough. then I feed it though all the pole sections and through the hole in my #1420 end tip. But how do I get that last tip in the pole and have the bungee cord under the right tension?
I can kind of see how I could pull on the bungee, stretching it out, then while it is stretched out, tie a knot in it (may need extra hands), then feed that knot (cord still under tension) back into the pole section, followed by the end cap.
I can imagine a "jig" with clamps that would hold the cord under tension so my hands could tie knots and feel it where it needs to go. But if it just me, with two hands and two feet (I did use my toes to hold the bungee in one attempt), is it possible to finish of a pole with three sections and #1420's on each end?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Paul
How do you finish off the bungee cord when making poles for tarp pull-outs
When I've fixed tent poles at work, I don't cut the shock cord at all until it's fed through all of the poles. Tie off one end, then pull the cord out on the other end until you get the tension you want. It doesn't have to be perfect. Also, you can experiment different tensions by tying a knot on a bight and not have to cut cord. Once you figure out how long you need it you can cut it and tie your knot. If you're worried about letting go and losing the cord in to the poles you could grab the cord with vice grips (locking pliers) before you cut and that'll keep the cord from being able to get sucked in.