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  1. #1
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    Other alternative fabrics

    So what are some of the other alternative fabrics that can be used to make test hammocks? Rip stop nylon can get expensive for something that may not see much use. Will other polyester or nylon fabrics work? Waht are the pros an cons other than price? Thanks.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blackbishop351's Avatar
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    I'd stick with ripstop if possible. Seems like regular nylon or polyester would be prone to ripping. Hennessy used some sort of non-ripstop nylon for their hammock bodies (at least that's what mine's made out of), but stuff like that that's strong enough is probably more expensive than ripstop. Especially if you find some at Walmart

    If you want to make a couple test hammocks and can't find any ripstop at Walmart, let me know and I can send you some.
    "Physics is the only true science. All else is stamp collecting." - J. J. Thompson

  3. #3
    Senior Member Frolicking Dino's Avatar
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    Ripstop polyester is becoming available.

  4. #4
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    I have some ripstop that I found at walmart but it's only 47 inches wide. After hemming that doesn't leave much. I wanted to try out a z hammock. I made a pad extender but that's not ideal, warm but not ideal. I'd like to try a two layer hammock. Anyhow, I wanted to try something that I could get cheap to try. Thanks for the replies.

  5. #5
    Senior Member blackbishop351's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chezrad View Post
    I have some ripstop that I found at walmart but it's only 47 inches wide. After hemming that doesn't leave much. I wanted to try out a z hammock. I made a pad extender but that's not ideal, warm but not ideal. I'd like to try a two layer hammock. Anyhow, I wanted to try something that I could get cheap to try. Thanks for the replies.
    I was serious about the ripstop offer. The stuff I've been getting from Walmart is grey 1.9 oz., about 64" wide. I've got about 12 yards here, and there's a couple more 15 yard bolts left at the store. I'll be happy to snag some for you.
    "Physics is the only true science. All else is stamp collecting." - J. J. Thompson

  6. #6
    slowhike's Avatar
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    bb. where is the wal-mart you`r finding the rip stop at?
    i`m not finding much at the super-centers in w-s, & t-ville. i stopped a couple times at the wal-mart on wendover, near I40, but they did`t have much $1.00 stuff at all.
    as far as a cheap hammock fabric, one thing i have found lots of at wal-mart is a really thin nylon that i was told was used as a liner in suits.
    if you made a two-layer hammock from it, it should be strong enough.
    i bought something similar, but it wasn`t intended as a suit liner i`m sure because it was green (but, who knows<G>), & made a narrow hammock from it that only weighed 7 or 8 ozs.
    i used it & really liked it for probably a couple months worth of nights before it tore.
    but if you double the really thin stuff, it will probably last a long time, & you can find that for $1.00 a yard. ...tim
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  7. #7
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    I like nylon taffeta. That is the same material that the HH are made out of. I used that one my last hammock and really like it. It doesn't feel as plasticie is ripstop, breathes a lot better, and does not make as much noise as ripstop when you move around in it. I holds my 225 lbs self just fine. There are a couple people out there that made some out of silk. I think I remember reading that 10mm silk will work. Do some searching here. Whoever made one posted pics and I think started a thread.

    Check out this thread that I started. I had the same question that you did a couple months ago.

    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=231
    Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
    The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".

  8. #8
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackbishop351 View Post
    I was serious about the ripstop offer. The stuff I've been getting from Walmart is grey 1.9 oz., about 64" wide. I've got about 12 yards here, and there's a couple more 15 yard bolts left at the store. I'll be happy to snag some for you.
    If your really serious, I'd take a 15 yard bolt in a heartbeat. Tell me what you need.

  9. #9
    Senior Member blackbishop351's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chezrad View Post
    If your really serious, I'd take a 15 yard bolt in a heartbeat. Tell me what you need.
    $15 plus whatever it costs to ship
    "Physics is the only true science. All else is stamp collecting." - J. J. Thompson

  10. #10
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    As long as it's not the 47" stuff I already have, I'm in.

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