Just wondering what the best way to sew some nylon webbing for tree huggers would be?

I was thinking of doing a box with an X in the middle for the straps... poly. thread with cotton coat and a size 80 needle...

Think this would work? Any instructions would ne nice. Thanks!

Just wondering what the best way to sew some nylon webbing for tree huggers would be?

I was thinking of doing a box with an X in the middle for the straps... poly. thread with cotton coat and a size 80 needle...

Think this would work? Any instructions would ne nice. Thanks!

Whoaaaaa!

Please do not use poly thread with cotton coat.....IT WILL ROT....use 100 percent poly thread.

The box X approach is good....some like the double box X with a 50 percent off-set....besure to back stitch the beginning and end of each seam you sew.

Good luck...it is an easy project.

Pan

I made my tree huggers using dental floss (unscented...lol) and a sewing machine needle in order to get the chain stitching. I did the box w/ a X and a couple of good bar stitches on each end of the box and thru the middle of the X. I'm a big boy and didn't want to take any chances. Thus far it has held up very well. Here is a link that tells you how to manually use a sewing machine needle:
http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=10&cid=53

I made mine like Pan suggests - 100% poly thread, double X-box with backstitching on each seam. I tried to do bar tacks, but the webbing was too thick and the thread just bunched up...the boxes worked just fine, though.

If you use cotton thread, be sure to let us know how long it lasts until it drops you on your butt. I've always wondered just how durable that stuff is... ;)

You might want to make them longer than the HH ones, though. Somewhere between 48-72".

So cotton coated poly. will rot? Great. I have been making everything with this thread.

I read somewhere else that it was the type to use for tarps, tents, etc... because the cotton would swell a little if it ever got wet and help plug the holes.

Seriously lame. Wish I could find the thread that tells people to use it. In fact, it was also in a book I read at Borders. Not sure the name though.

How long do you think it will last? Should I scrap everything I have done this week and start over (tarp, pack cover, two stuff sacks, two hammocks)?

Well, I haven't tested it but the word is that cotton thread rots in the field. The poly core will probably last a while, as long as there isn't too much stress on the seam. I've heard of thread that expands when wet, but I don't know if it's cotton that does it. Maybe someone else here knows more. I just use 100% polyester thread and seam sealer.

I would not panic yet...for the tree huggers this I agree would be a big problem...but for your tents, tarps, clothing etc...things keep changing and improving. I noticed that is the standard Tipi thread to use.
"Extra strong mildew-resistant thread with a polyester center and a cotton outer cover prevents cutting and enlarging needle holes. The cotton cover also swells when wet to prevent

oops continuing...
The cotton cover also swells when wet to prevent needle hole drips"
So maybe only the tree huggers need to be remade :)

http://www.reesetipis.com/thirteen_points_excellence.cfm

Number 6

Now I am waiting for a ultra-light under 3 lbs tipi to be made for backpacking...and no thank you, I really do not want to make my own :D

1) I would avoid nylon webbing, it 'sets' - gets hard and stiff when used as tree huggers. And it's too heavy for its width. Speer and others recommend polypropolene, and I've had better luck with it. 1 1/2 inch seems about right.

2) Strong thread is a good idea unless you are a confident sewer. Gutterman and other European polyester threads are widely available - in heavy duty or button-thread weights as well as standard weight. You may also be able to find lightweight Nylon 66 thread suitable for home machines. You *can* use Dual Duty cotton-wrapped thread if you use the special blue jean thread or their button thread. Regular Dual Duty is only a fraction of the strength of polyester thread.

3) Stitching: Using heavy duty polyester thread on 1.5 inch polypropolene webbing, 4 wide zig-zag bar tacks (solid zig-zags) overstitched with a straight stitch down the center and at 1: intervals will support a hammock bearing a 210 pounder without wear or signs of failure just about forever.

If your machine does not zig-zag, definitely use good, heavy duty synthetic thread and make each bartack with 4 parallel lines of tripple-stitching spaced at 1/16 inch or so -- then 4 of these at 1# intervals.

Don't mean to sound so newbie... but, what is a tree hugger? Other than a term for a hippie?

Tree Huggers are for Hammock camping. You use webbing with loops at each end to go around the tree. Tie the hammock support ropes off at the loops. This keeps the hammock ropes from cutting into the tree.

simplest solution i like is to just double the webbing and pull a loop through to make a knot... no stitching at all!

I have a 30 yr old LL Bean speedy stitcher that uses a very heavy waxed nylon thread, makes very strong seams

simplest solution i like is to just double the webbing and pull a loop through to make a knot... no stitching at all!

Sounds simple enough, but right now I'm having a Senior moment. I'm trying to visualize what you're describing, but somehow I can't quite get it. Please understand I'm not trying to sharpshoot you. And also, what kind of rigs are you using to suspend those water bottles? I get tired of them bouncing on my hip or having to hold one while I hike. This looks like a good solution to the problem.

Thanks.

we make ultralite backpacking tipis. they have a single centerpole or can be hung from overhead. there is a thread about them that i posted the other day. we can build whatever the person wants. depending on the fabric desired, we get them to weigh less than 2 pounds but that is without the pole.

the above post was in response to Hana Hangers request for a tipi.

Sounds simple enough, but right now I'm having a Senior moment. I'm trying to visualize what you're describing, but somehow I can't quite get it.

Sounds like this:
6014

If you use cotton thread, be sure to let us know how long it lasts until it drops you on your butt. I've always wondered just how durable that stuff is... ;)



Adds new meaning to "go to ground." Not just when it's cold, either. :-?

Sounds like this:
6014

Thank you, thank you, thank you! NOW I get it.:banana

Question: Would seat belt /shoulder harness material be good for tree huggers?

The best way to sew a tree hugger is to stuff em in a burlap sack and use a double stitch to sew closed the opening. They'll have a very tough time escaping that way.:rolleyes:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! NOW I get it.:banana

Here's another picture to illustrate one more point.

The bight in the strap (the "U") should be placed towards the back of the tree, or the strap will slip. The way shown, the strap pulls against itself, anchoring it. The loose end should be on the inside of the bight, so that the end that you attach the hammock to pinches it into the bight. Depending on how slippery the strap is, it might be advisable to tie a knot in the bight to prevent it from slipping.

10 feet of strap. 36" diameter tree.6018

[quote=BR360;815546] Depending on how slippery the strap is, it might be advisable to tie a knot in the loose end at the bight to prevent it from slipping.

So cotton coated poly. will rot? Great. I have been making everything with this thread.

:-? Ok 100% cotton will actually rot fairly quick. You should get a few seasons out of the coated poly stuff. But pay it close attention when inspecting your gear for ware. Since i do embroidery for a loving i have av unlimited access to every color conceivable when the spool gets to low for the machine they just throw it away. I only use the 100% poly thread from Medeira its like 5000m its polyneon #40 its good strong stuff and for me its free. Check JoAnn fabrics etc:-?

I read somewhere else that it was the type to use for tarps, tents, etc... because the cotton would swell a little if it ever got wet and help plug the holes.

Seriously lame. Wish I could find the thread that tells people to use it. In fact, it was also in a book I read at Borders. Not sure the name though.

How long do you think it will last? Should I scrap everything I have done this week and start over (tarp, pack cover, two stuff sacks, two hammocks)?

Hope this helps you out.

Hope this helps you out.
sorry my post is between the thinking smileys don't know how it ended up there but there it is???

Don't mean to sound so newbie... but, what is a tree hugger? Other than a term for a hippie?

I was wondering the same thing and just kept reading on you did sound like a newbie, but your not alone :)

I'm using the straps that came with a cheap set of ratchet ties from Harbor Freight ($6.99 for two). One end has a sewn loop and the other end a steel hook. I just cut the steel hook off the strap and use the factory sewn loop in the other end. Those straps are rated at 1,000 lbs and the loops are holding up great. Don't know what thread they used, but looks like some kind of poly. I trust those more than if I had sewn my own.

Question: Would seat belt /shoulder harness material be good for tree huggers?

Too wide. I bought some climbing webbing (1") at REI and tied an overhand loop on each end. It's nylon, hasn't hardened, and doesn't stretch anymore when it gets wet (happened a bit when it was new). I also use 6mm climbing accessory cord on my hammock ends - doesn't stretch appreciably when wet. Polypropylene is lighter but not nearly as strong as nylon. It doesn't stretch or absorb much water, however. Both should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible as it weakens them both (nylon more, but it's much stronger for the same weight to begin with).

6mm? Really? Man, I bought 5mm and ditched it as being too thick. I switched to 5/32" line rated at 1500# that I bought at West Marine. It's stiff but it works well. It's the white stuff in the pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/gear/shelter/IMG_1464_640.jpg