Underquilt Suspension Decision

[Cruiser51]

Typically I like to use a clew on each length wise baffle on an underquilt. That usually means ~10 sets and using 1/16" cord provides lots of "pull/stretch power" suitable for almost any UQ. You just adjust how much stretch you incorporate to vary the amount of tension on the UQ... I loop the shock cord back and forth so that it is a single length to form the suspension. Each clew is formed using 2 strands of 1/16" shock cord (one going, one coming) and this arrangement will give about .25 pounds @ 15% stretch ... or for this example 10 x .25 = 2.5 pounds per end or 5 pounds total stretch pounds considering both ends.
That is actually about all you need to hang most quilts ... if you want a bit more tension, use 20% stretch for ~.28 pounds or 25% for ~.3 pounds, you get the idea.
Although zing it is lighter , it really isn't suited to the job (IMO) and it is only 15% (or so) lighter , which when you work it all out really doesn't result in much saving , given the cost and work involved to add it.
Typically, my entire bridge hammock clew suspension weighs about 1.5 oz for each side or a total of ~3 oz for a 10 nettle, 36" wide suspension using 1/16" shockcord (2 per strands nettle) ... so there really isn't that much room to save weight.


Brian

[Caconym]

Hmm. According to Dutch's site, 25' of 1/16 shock cord is 16g, and the same length of 1.75mm zing-it is 13g. I think you're right that the weight saving would be miniscule. I'm just so used to thinking of shock cord as heavy.
It really doesn't take much of it to suspend a down UQ, even with clews.