guyline tensioners for very thin dyneema cord?

**forces** · 03-21-2019, 06:54

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

I am switching my guylines to 1.3mm dyneema. I know, this isn't the best for guylines, but I have my reasons for stubbornly forging on. Normally, I'd prefer knots, but this stuff doesn't hold any kind of friction hitch all that well. I guess I could give it like 8 wraps, but whose got that much patience when setting up camp? Anyone know of any *inexpensive*, preferably plastic, guyline tensioners that work on this tiny, slippery cord? I saw Tac Blades had a pretty cool approach, but it seems like those are only sold by the hundreds... I don't need 200 of those things.

Here is a link to the stuff I am working with (1.3mm/ 580lb test).

Thanks!

PS sorry if this belongs in DIY. The question sort of splits the difference between the two categories.

**jeff-oh** · 03-21-2019, 07:26

These are $1.69 for 10 pieces delivered. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Magi...AbTest=ae803_5

and you can get 20 of these delivered for $1.25. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20Pc...AbTest=ae803_5

**cmoulder** · 03-21-2019, 07:49

Originally Posted by forces

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

I am switching my guylines to 1.3mm dyneema. I know, this isn't the best for guylines, but I have my reasons for stubbornly forging on. Normally, I'd prefer knots, but this stuff doesn't hold any kind of friction hitch all that well. I guess I could give it like 8 wraps, but whose got that much patience when setting up camp? Anyone know of any *inexpensive*, preferably plastic, guyline tensioners that work on this tiny, slippery cord? I saw Tac Blades had a pretty cool approach, but it seems like those are only sold by the hundreds... I don't need 200 of those things.

Here is a link to the stuff I am working with (1.3mm/ 580lb test).

Thanks!

PS sorry if this belongs in DIY. The question sort of splits the difference between the two categories.

For guy line that small, maybe try these...

cord-micro-lineloc-l.jpg

**gargoyle** · 03-21-2019, 08:24

Skip the doo-dads
Tie a marlin hitch in the line, insert the tent stake as the spike, pull tight and stab the tent stake into the ground.

**Shug** · 03-21-2019, 08:31

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Skip the doo-dads
Tie a marlin hitch in the line, insert the tent stake as the spike, pull tight and stab the tent stake into the ground.

I concur with this.
Shug

**forces** · 03-21-2019, 08:32

Originally Posted by cmoulder

For guy line that small, maybe try these...

cord-micro-lineloc-l.jpg

Web site says they grip down to 1.25mm... seems like this might be the option

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Skip the doo-dads
Tie a marlin hitch in the line, insert the tent stake as the spike, pull tight and stab the tent stake into the ground.

Normally, I'd totally agree with you. However, This particular tarp also functions as a way to quickly get out of the rain on the trail - so I need to be able to tie it off to trees and what not to use as a sort of all-purpose tarp.

**rweb82** · 03-21-2019, 08:36

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Skip the doo-dads
Tie a marlin hitch in the line, insert the tent stake as the spike, pull tight and stab the tent stake into the ground.

This^^

**cmoulder** · 03-21-2019, 08:58

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Skip the doo-dads
Tie a marlin hitch in the line, insert the tent stake as the spike, pull tight and stab the tent stake into the ground.

Here in the rocky northeast that might happen with 1 stake out of 4... 2 if you're really lucky. Normally I have to probe around and move the stake several times before I find a crack where I can coax it in, so it's much handier to have an adjustment at the tarp guy out point.

I don't use hardware, but rather a Blake's hitch with Lawson Glowire. I have used far smaller cord (Atwood Micro cord 1.18mm) and found that I spent way too much time untangling it.

However I do use MSH at the stake end.

Glowire with Blake's hitch

**forces** · 03-21-2019, 09:03

Originally Posted by cmoulder

Here in the rocky northeast that might happen with 1 stake out of 4... 2 if you're really lucky. Normally I have to probe around and move the stake several times before I find a crack where I can coax it in, so it's much handier to have an adjustment at the tarp guy out point.

I don't use hardware, but rather a Blake's hitch with Lawson Glowire. I have used far smaller cord (Atwood Micro cord 1.18mm) and found that I spent far too much time untangling it.

However I do use MSH at the stake end.

Same problem in PNW - except with pancaked tree roots that spider out in all directions, inches below the surface. Good point on the tangling. I hadn't considered that... perhaps I'll be back to the drawing boards.