Topic
Can’t Sew Silnylon…HELP!
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Make Your Own Gear › Can’t Sew Silnylon…HELP!
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Mar 28, 2011 at 3:02 pm #1716146
> I looked up the 120 Rasant and it has a cotton coating surrounding the core of polyester.
> Is this right? I thought cotton was a poor choice because of how it would break down.Ah, now we get technical. Let's look at 3 options:
1) Pure PE: strong, doesn't degrade, but can tangle and be tricky to handle. Can melt when going through a hot needle – after high speed sewing. That is disastrous!
2) Blended cotton/PE: cheap to make, can melt at speed. Many consumer brands.
3) Core-spun PE/cotton: strong PE core with cotton fibres wrapped around the outside. The cotton protects the PE core against the hot needle at high speed. The cotton does not contribute all that much strength, but the PE core provides that anyhow. The cotton can protect the PE core from other hazards like UV.So professionals often use core-spun PE/cotton for high-speed sewing where strength and quality matters. Rasant is this.
If you want greater strength the right move would be to a bonded nylon. That is what I use for packs. Nylon has a higher melting point, and heavy sewing is usually done at a slower speed. But nylon thread is dearer.
Cheers
Mar 28, 2011 at 3:05 pm #1716148> I realize this is a silly question, but does it make a difference if it's scissors vs shears?
> I have scissors and they are wicked sharp, but they don't have the flat side that shears have.I don't think there is a lot of difference. Scissors with two tapered blades may be able to wander off the cut line a bit more easily. This might matter if you are relying on the weave to guide the scissors, but that can be unwise anyhow as the weave is not always square!
I think it is more a matter of skill – or practice.
Cheers
Mar 29, 2011 at 9:01 am #1716566+1 To Roger
I'm saving your description of the threads
Thanks!
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.