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Outdoor Section => The Outdoor and Survival Forum => Topic started by: Aloha on January 27, 2016, 10:44:11 PM

Title: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Aloha on January 27, 2016, 10:44:11 PM
Fun bushcraft tool to make when out. 
https://youtu.be/Bjq9xn70ZWw
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: captain spaulding on January 27, 2016, 11:04:39 PM
Excellent video and great knowledge to have. Simple things like this make life a whole lot easier if needed.  :tu:

Sadly it makes me think how using techniques like these and just the general ingenuity is lost with today's youth and younger generation for the most part.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: kmanct3 on February 23, 2016, 01:23:40 AM
Love the Paracord necklace
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on December 27, 2016, 10:26:17 AM
As much as I appreciate being able to make things, I value practical skills more.  An adjustable loop knot can be tied in a matter of seconds, with no tools needed, and does the job just fine. 
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: hiraethus on December 27, 2016, 10:39:29 AM
Tautline hitch ftw. :tu:
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on August 07, 2017, 08:08:12 PM
Tautline hitch ftw. :tu:

I actually prefer the Tarbuck, but yes it is almost the same as a tautline hitch.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Steinar on August 07, 2017, 08:30:49 PM
Big fan of the sliding sheet-bend here. http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/writing/explode.htm#4

That said, I think it's easier to get something really taut with a little help, as opposed to only using the rope itself.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on August 08, 2017, 04:58:13 AM
Big fan of the sliding sheet-bend here. http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/writing/explode.htm#4

That said, I think it's easier to get something really taut with a little help, as opposed to only using the rope itself.

What curios  knot.  Never seen it before and that impresses me. I have seen a lot of practical knots.  I have all the knots I need,  so I may not learn to tie from memory, but i won't forget it exists.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Syncop8r on August 08, 2017, 05:50:55 AM
I think (from memory) I have found it better to pull down on the cord above the tensioner.
Cool vid.  :tu:
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Aloha on August 08, 2017, 08:22:45 AM
This particular video for me was a neat camp craft.  I have a plastic tensioner and lines attached to my tarps at all times.  I also have lines attached to my tent for windy nights.  I've used a few of the knots Dave Canterbury shows in his videos but honestly I can never remember the names.   
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on August 08, 2017, 03:50:03 PM
This particular video for me was a neat camp craft.  I have a plastic tensioner and lines attached to my tarps at all times.  I also have lines attached to my tent for windy nights.  I've used a few of the knots Dave Canterbury shows in his videos but honestly I can never remember the names.   

Knots are part of who I am, and the thing about knots is practice.  Like playing music, you do your knots over and over till it's natural.  If you can't remember the names of knots I suspect that even though you tied them you really don't know them, or maybe you are bad with names.  I'm not judging, there are skills I'm weak at.  If you want to better your knot craft I can help.  If you have questions, just ask.  I can steer you towards resources.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Aloha on August 08, 2017, 04:10:04 PM
This particular video for me was a neat camp craft.  I have a plastic tensioner and lines attached to my tarps at all times.  I also have lines attached to my tent for windy nights.  I've used a few of the knots Dave Canterbury shows in his videos but honestly I can never remember the names.   

Knots are part of who I am, and the thing about knots is practice.  Like playing music, you do your knots over and over till it's natural.  If you can't remember the names of knots I suspect that even though you tied them you really don't know them, or maybe you are bad with names.  I'm not judging, there are skills I'm weak at.  If you want to better your knot craft I can help.  If you have questions, just ask.  I can steer you towards resources.

Thanks.  You are correct about knots and practice.  I like sitting with cord/rope and practicing.  Make its next to second nature.  I secure stuff to my yakima racks all the time and use the one I know by name, truckers hitch.  Really second nature to me and works great.  I also use ratchet straps as well but I like keeping certain knots stored in muscle memory.   
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: ChrisinHove on August 08, 2017, 06:16:30 PM
Great stuff.  I had a heel op a few years back and spent many many happy hours trying out knots - my favourite was the jury-rig knot (in case I ever sail again, get caught in a typhoon and get de-masted).

Seriously - the best tensioner:

http://www.cleats.co.uk/line-lokr-guy-runner-for-2-5mm-lines.html
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on August 09, 2017, 12:35:34 AM
my favourite was the jury-rig knot (in case I ever sail again, get caught in a typhoon and get de-masted).


I have long liked the idea of the jury mast knot, still haven't taken the time to learn it yet.  It's only a matter of time till I do. 
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Gerhard Gerber on August 10, 2017, 12:32:58 PM
In this situation I use Prusik loops.....for the bow line, guy lines....everything, and it's been tested in windy conditions.

Only negative is I've given myself rope burns when in a hurry  :P
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Poncho65 on August 10, 2017, 12:56:24 PM
I know many knots from memory but never have been taught the names of most :facepalm: Bricklayers use many different knots for several different things and they are a crazy bunch ::) I would be shown a knot once and if I got it then good but if I had to be shown 2 or 3 times then they would get all :rant: :D :D So not to many knot names but several knots :cheers: My dad was usually a bit better about showing me stuff more than once though :D
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on August 10, 2017, 03:26:42 PM
In this situation I use Prusik loops.....for the bow line, guy lines....everything, and it's been tested in windy conditions.

Only negative is I've given myself rope burns when in a hurry  :P

I respectfully disagree, there are more down sides. The jury mast knot allows for four lines all to attach to the mast at the same height so that force is all applied to the same point, the only variable is the amount of tension applied each line.   Using a lot of Prussics will cause force to be placed at different points of elevation on the mast and that can cause a shear or leverage issue, not something that will be apparent right away, but it could become a issue over time or under great stress, it will also take a lot more line and more time.  I know it's ironic that the guy who has admitted he can't tie the knot is advocating the knot, but I can do knots, ... in my brain!   Smirk.   
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Gerhard Gerber on August 11, 2017, 01:16:44 PM

I respectfully disagree, there are more down sides. The jury mast knot allows for four lines all to attach to the mast at the same height so that force is all applied to the same point, the only variable is the amount of tension applied each line.   Using a lot of Prussics will cause force to be placed at different points of elevation on the mast and that can cause a shear or leverage issue, not something that will be apparent right away, but it could become a issue over time or under great stress, it will also take a lot more line and more time.  I know it's ironic that the guy who has admitted he can't tie the knot is advocating the knot, but I can do knots, ... in my brain!   Smirk.

I had to google that knot.......no way I could remember that.  :think:

I was referring to the application shown in the video, I use Prusik loops on both my hammock setups for bowline and the tarp guy lines, both have lived through wind and rain on more than one occasion.

Nothing wrong with he method, but I see it as a DIY wood replacement for the little plastic thing-a-bobbers.  Prusik is quicker and lighter.

BTW, often for jerry-rigged guy lines I use and overhand loop about halfway up, pass the end of the rope through or around whatever your tying to, then through the loop and pull to tension......few half hitches to secure.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Scorpion Regent on August 11, 2017, 04:02:11 PM

I respectfully disagree, there are more down sides. The jury mast knot allows for four lines all to attach to the mast at the same height so that force is all applied to the same point, the only variable is the amount of tension applied each line.   Using a lot of Prussics will cause force to be placed at different points of elevation on the mast and that can cause a shear or leverage issue, not something that will be apparent right away, but it could become a issue over time or under great stress, it will also take a lot more line and more time.  I know it's ironic that the guy who has admitted he can't tie the knot is advocating the knot, but I can do knots, ... in my brain!   Smirk.

I had to google that knot.......no way I could remember that.  :think:

I was referring to the application shown in the video, I use Prusik loops on both my hammock setups for bowline and the tarp guy lines, both have lived through wind and rain on more than one occasion.

Nothing wrong with he method, but I see it as a DIY wood replacement for the little plastic thing-a-bobbers.  Prusik is quicker and lighter.

BTW, often for jerry-rigged guy lines I use and overhand loop about halfway up, pass the end of the rope through or around whatever your tying to, then through the loop and pull to tension......few half hitches to secure.
You are right, a ridge line with dedicated Prusiks are very handy to attach tarp or hammock if you have carabiners or toggles.  If you are tying in to them you might as well just save your self some line and tie in with the sliding hitches listed below.  Carabiners and toggles add weight, tying in takes time.   So Prusiks maybe lighter or faster than a dedicated slider but not both.  Because a Prusik holds tension in both directions it needs extra turns and is tied from a fixed loop, it's is inefficient to have added Prusik when the end of the line can be used to tie a knot instead.  A Taut line hitch or a Tarbuck hitch holds tension in only one direction so it only requires less turns.  Tied as a adjustable loops a Taut line or a Tarbuck is the time honored, go to knot for adjusting a tent lines which is what sliders are for.  Knots left in place on a tent line will be just as fast, but not faster than a slider.  Of course no one is going to drop a dedicated looped slider over the top of a tree.  Yes, you can leave a dedicated Prusiks on your ridge line,  but tying a Taut line only takes a few seconds more than tying into a Prusik and requires no extra line.  Surgeons use scalpels, woodsmen use axes.  I like to use the proper tool for the job, but this isn't rocket surgery.  If you are comfortable doing it with Prusiks it's your show, I'm just giving you options.
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Syncop8r on August 11, 2017, 10:20:57 PM
I would love to see more little videos like this one. :dd:
Title: Re: Tensioner for guy-lines
Post by: Syncop8r on August 14, 2017, 03:08:50 AM
I just stumbled upon this: https://thebloke.co.nz/tarp-tensioners/