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Daisy Chain

Gumbymedic

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2017
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Toledo, Ohio
I used 1/4" amsteel also. I made mine completely backwards from @PJC video. I started by making the daisy chain loops first and ended with the single loop for the versa button on my Hawk Heliums. I used the purple Walmart knitting needle. The 1/4" amsteel doesn't fit unless you taper the tag ends first. I then wrapped the tapered ends with blue painter's tape to a point. The tapered ends then stuck right into the knitting needle. A 13' piece of amsteel made a 6' - 6'1/2" finished daisy chain. I finished it off with an elastic loop to connect to the versa button after I wrap the rope around my sticks. The 1/4" amsteel, especially in this daisy chain configuration, adds some bulk but no real weight. Screenshot_20181228-120418_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20181228-120436_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20181228-120500_Gallery.jpg
 
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Gamover06

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2018
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SE Minneosta
I wonder if the daisy chain doubles the work load since it’s actually 2 lines. I don’t know but I use 1/8 in on my hammock and it’s tiny. I use a strap to go around the tree though.
Maybe? But when you go around the versa button the top and bottom of the versa button only has one rope so there is a point where all the weight would be on one rope. I know the people doing it have a lot more knowledge then I do so there has to be something I am missing. We will see as time goes on and the ropes start to wear like you had stated. I love the DIY on this sit it has really opened my eye to hunting differently: smarter, more safe, lighter, and easier.
 
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PJC

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2016
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I’ll keep my eye on the wear of the rope, for sure. So far it really hasn’t slid on the bark of the trees like my 1/4” did so I haven’t noticed any wear yet after a dozen or so uses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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kenn1320

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Sep 15, 2015
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Kenn, I don’t see what slicing the amsteel up the tree accomplishes except keeping your stick closer to where you start it. You can just compensate for how much it will slide down when you set it, if a couple inches of slide down messes up your spacing. The end result is the stick will secure with the amsteel at the same angle, whether you slide the amsteel up or just pull the stick down to set it. I know my lone wolf straps don’t have as much angle above 90deg from the tree as my amsteel rope mod. That tells me the old strap system is pulling the stick to the tree more than the rope mod systems. I’m wondering if the position of the versa button should change to give a more even pressure on both v brackets of the stick since we are changing the angle the rope is pulling the steps.

I never used the LW strap on my heliums, so no idea how tight it made it. I know I pull the amsteel as tight as I can get it to reduce sag. I also double wrap the button and just 1 half hitch.
 

adawg

New Member
Dec 29, 2016
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Hilton, NY
My thoughts exactly, I ordered 3/16 because I want the added security. I kept looking at it trying to see the advantage of 7/64ths over 3/16 or 1/4.
The working load on 7/64ths is 160 lbs as for 3/16 its 540 lbs just don't see were the weight and cost savings out weight the safety factor. Doing the daisy chain has to weaken it some percentage also, right? I am new to this so maybe I am looking into it wrong. No matter what size I use it is an upgrade to my 10mm rope with large knots.

the Dutchware Gear website say the SWL for 7/64 amsteel blue is 320lbs. Did I read it wrong?
 

Gamover06

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2018
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the Dutchware Gear website say the SWL for 7/64 amsteel blue is 320lbs. Did I read it wrong?
I guess on Sampson's website they have strength at 1600 and usually you divide by 10 to get working load. Maybe the formula is different for Amsteel.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

BCHunter

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Vendor Rep
Mar 10, 2016
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the Dutchware Gear website say the SWL for 7/64 amsteel blue is 320lbs. Did I read it wrong?

working load is different than what you would use for a lifeline. that's why any climbing stick out there uses cam buckles with 800lb breaking strength and 300lb working load.
 

BCHunter

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Mar 10, 2016
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I guess on Sampson's website they have strength at 1600 and usually you divide by 10 to get working load. Maybe the formula is different for Amsteel.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
lifelines use 10 to 1 or more, working loads for tie downs and such are much less. If you were strapping yourself to the stick and not the tree, then you would want to use something with a climbing rating.
 

Marc W

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Oct 2, 2018
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I was watching a video of making soft shackles and the guy claimed that 2 strands of amsteel made it 2.5 times stronger than a single strand.
 

adawg

New Member
Dec 29, 2016
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Hilton, NY
Being that I used 7/64 amsteel the needles I purchased were fairly small and I assume that is why they were not hollow. The tape method actually proved to be fairly easy and after watching the video by PJC, I would say I completed my last one in about 30 minutes.
 
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Marc W

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2018
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I bought these but when i cut them, they were solid not hollow? Did I get the wrong kind?
Mine were hollow. I also bought some smaller diameter ones that were solid. I use those as a push tool.
 
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