Resource Hemp rope for suspension?

[Justwantittoend]

I know its probably way too weak to hold up a person but could it work?

 

[Imgonnahangmyself]

Probably cut your head off lol

 

[planmd]

Hmm... I would choose another material. It might break...

 

[Endqualia]

It's always a good idea to test it yourself.

 

[Justwantittoend]

I've been practicing my slip knots with hemp rope so I thought just maybe?

 

[TiredHorse]

It depends on the size and quality of the rope. I used to rig tall ships, some of which had their masts held up by hemp rope.

 

[planmd]

I am extending my research about ropes, since I had bought a polypropylene one thinking it was better than hemp and I am not very sure. I think it stretches a little... maybe hemp is better and I might be changing mine. But as @TiredHorse said, it depends on size too. What is the diameter?

 

[Endqualia]

I am extending my research about ropes, since I had bought a polypropylene one thinking it was better than hemp and I am not very sure. I think it stretches a little... maybe hemp is better and I might be changing mine. But as @TiredHorse said, it depends on size too. What is the diameter?

In the case of suspension hanging slight stretch of the rope is irrelevant. You should use rope of 10mm min. anyways. At that thickness any rope you can buy today will easily hold most peoples weights, any stretch will be negligible as well.

"Rope shouldn't stretch" originates in long drop hanging. Any strech of the rope at the moment of drop will reduce suddenness of the stop. It will reduce the violence with which the prisoners head is jerked back by the neck by acting a a sort of a spring. Making breaking the neck less likley. Not something that applies in suspension hanging, where sole purpose of the rope is to compress the carotid arteries.

 

[GeorgeJL]

I couldn't use a hemp rope, knowing me I would smoke it before I hang myself. LOL

 

[planmd]

In the case of suspension hanging slight stretch of the rope is irrelevant. You should use rope of 10mm min. anyways. At that thickness any rope you can buy today will easily hold most peoples weights, any stretch will be negligible as well.

"Rope shouldn't stretch" originates in long drop hanging. Any strech of the rope at the moment of drop will reduce suddenness of the stop. It will reduce the violence with which the prisoners head is jerked back by the neck by acting a a sort of a spring. Making breaking the neck less likley. Not something that applies in suspension hanging, where sole purpose of the rope is to compress the carotid arteries.

Thanks, @Endqualia . I am so worried about failing that I cannot stop looking for alternatives to improve my equipment... I was even considering buying a 26mm diameter hemp rope I have just seen which people use for rope climbing in crossfit. My polypropylene rope has a diameter of 12mm and, apart from stretching a little, I was afraid of it breaking. I am thinking about buying this new one so I know with no doubt that it is not going to break, which would make me feel very safe. However, I do not know if it is too thick, neither if the material slips easily. Btw:
https://www.cabosycuerdasbizkaia.com/store/p139/Cuerda_trepa_cañamo_26mm_clamp.html
https://www.cabosycuerdasbizkaia.com/store/p138/Cuerda_trepa_cañamo_26mm_gaza___termosellado.html

It can also be purchased with nothing at the end, just the rope. I think I would chose the simple one and tie knots. I am going to use a beam in a rural house.

@Justwantittoend has not been connected since yesterday. I wonder if he/she succeeded?

 

[TiredHorse]

26mm is very big rope, resulting in enormous and unweildy knots that may not slip properly. 12mm would be more convenient.

Don't look at diameter to determine if it's strong enough, look at its safe working load (SWL) or tensile strength. I know of 3mm rope that can lift half a ton and 18mm rope that will fail at 100kg. Polypropylene is not very strong rope for a given size, so you're wise to look for an alternative. Nylon, polyester (dacron), and aramid fibers (dyneema, spectra), are better choices.

 

[planmd]

26mm is very big rope, resulting in enormous and unweildy knots that may not slip properly. 12mm would be more convenient.

Don't look at diameter to determine if it's strong enough, look at its safe working load (SWL) or tensile strength. I know of 3mm rope that can lift half a ton and 18mm rope that will fail at 100kg. Polypropylene is not very strong rope for a given size, so you're wise to look for an alternative. Nylon, polyester (dacron), and aramid fibers (dyneema, spectra), are better choices.

Thanks! I will definitely not buy that one then. I don't know where I read a diameter between 19-30mm (3/4 -1 1/4 inches it said) was needed for full suspension and, as in this forum I could see nothing similar, I was confused. Maybe it was for long drop. Everything I have been reading now about short drop is with smaller diameters as well. Thanks again!

The safe working load of my rope (prolypropylene) is definitely much higher than my weight. I cannot remember it (they cut the length of rope I wanted in the store, and the SWL was written on the label ), but it was hundreds I think. Maybe I should buy another one anyway to feel safer? You would choose nylon and polyester over hemp as well?

Also, in the store there was a kind of "mini guide" about ropes and I could see that twisted ones are stronger than braided ones, but I am not sure if this is really relevant. My prolypropylene rope is twisted just in case.

 

[Endqualia]

Thanks, @Endqualia . I am so worried about failing that I cannot stop looking for alternatives to improve my equipment... I was even considering buying a 26mm diameter hemp rope I have just seen which people use for rope climbing in crossfit. My polypropylene rope has a diameter of 12mm and, apart from stretching a little, I was afraid of it breaking. I am thinking about buying this new one so I know with no doubt that it is not going to break, which would make me feel very safe. However, I do not know if it is too thick, neither if the material slips easily. Btw:
https://www.cabosycuerdasbizkaia.com/store/p139/Cuerda_trepa_cañamo_26mm_clamp.html
https://www.cabosycuerdasbizkaia.com/store/p138/Cuerda_trepa_cañamo_26mm_gaza___termosellado.html

It can also be purchased with nothing at the end, just the rope. I think I would chose the simple one and tie knots. I am going to use a beam in a rural house.

@Justwantittoend has not been connected since yesterday. I wonder if he/she succeeded?

Agree with TiredHorse on the rope size, 12 mm is enough for suspension hanging, 26 is to much. I read somewhere that you weigh around 50 something kilos? If that's the case you don't have to worry about ropes tensile strength at that diameter. It will hold you, which you can test by tying it to a beam with a noose that hangs somewhat over the ground and then step on in and see if it holds. Jump a little on it just for peace of mind.

 

[TiredHorse]

The safe working load of my rope (prolypropylene) is definitely much higher than my weight. I cannot remember it (they cut the length of rope I wanted in the store, and the SWL was written on the label ), but it was hundreds I think. Maybe I should buy another one anyway to feel safer?

So long as the SWL was considerably higher than your weight, to take the strain of shock loads as well, I think you're fine with what you have.

You would choose nylon and polyester over hemp as well?

Yes, I would, typically. However, strong manila (true hemp is a specialty rope, so what they're calling "hemp" is probably manila) is better than weak nylon or dacron.

Also, in the store there was a kind of "mini guide" about ropes and I could see that twisted ones are stronger than braided ones, but I am not sure if this is really relevant. My prolypropylene rope is twisted just in case.

That's a bizarre assertion to make about laid (twisted) vs. braid. Material strength is far more relevant in hardware store-grade rope than type of construction. The strongest rope I know of is single-braid "dyneema": it's stronger than steel.

Ignore the material and the construction: look at the rope strength. Ideally you want something with a working load at least 2x your own weight, and a diameter in the vicinity of 12mm.

 

[TheGoodGuy]

Too weak? Hemp makes some of the strongest rope in the world and have been used for hundreds of years for ships so it is plenty strong.

 

[planmd]

I read somewhere that you weigh around 50 something kilos? If that's the case you don't have to worry about ropes tensile strength at that diameter. It will hold you, which you can test by tying it to a beam with a noose that hangs somewhat over the ground and then step on in and see if it holds. Jump a little on it just for peace of mind.

Yes, I weigh around 51 kg. I was trying to test it yesterday with the door of my bedroom, yet in the house I am planning to book I will use a beam. It stretches but it seems it holds my weight, although I get the impression that the edge of the door could cut it. I will try to find a rounded beam instead of one with cutting edges just in case.

So long as the SWL was considerably higher than your weight, to take the strain of shock loads as well, I think you're fine with what you have.

Ignore the material and the construction: look at the rope strength. Ideally you want something with a working load at least 2x your own weight, and a diameter in the vicinity of 12mm.

Thanks! It is good to read that :)

Thank you both very, very much. I feel more relaxed with my rope now. Maybe I just need to make sure it does not cut with the edges of the beam using a rounded one or covering it with a cloth or something.

 

[TiredHorse]

Maybe I just need to make sure it does not cut with the edges of the beam using a rounded one or covering it with a cloth or something.

That is an excellent plan. Turning a corner weakens a rope, because that's where the stress loads accumulate, but that typically isn't a problem in a low-load situation like this unless the corner is sharp enough to cause fiber damage. Then the chances of rope failure are increased.

 

[planmd]

What do you think about those beams for full suspension? Weak?

 

[1234dave]

They look very sturdy

 

[planmd]

They look very sturdy

I really hope so!

 

[Pykul]

I know its probably way too weak to hold up a person but could it work?

You need at least 3/4 inch

I know its probably way too weak to hold up a person but could it work?

Hemp worked for centuries before it was outlawed in the US. That's the material for rigging on sailing ships and the material for their sails. The word canvas is a modification of cannibas.
Hemp rope would be ideal for hanging. Its quite strong, It doesn't stretch, holds stiffness for fracture leverage. Needs to be oiled before use, should only be used once and sadly, needs to be new. No idea where you can buy it now.