super UL guylines?

I use triptease for all my guyline needs.

There was a thread ( maybe in another forum…) about using "mason's line" also called "builders line" .
One day I spent a considerable amount of time at a local (huge) hardware store but could not find it.
Next time I will forget that I am a man and just ask for it…
Franco

Doesn't get any lighter or stronger than spectra.

> Next time I will forget that I am a man and just ask for it…

Usually it is in the section by the bricks that has all the tools like trowels. It is usually yellow or orange. Real men don't ask for directions when the are lost either.

Yes, and it's quite strong and guy rope knots work very well on it.

However, the stuff is nylon, and expands when it gets cold.
Translation: after the sun goes down you find all your guy ropes have gone slack. PITA.

I now use Spectra. Knotting is painful.

Cheers

Franco,

It's known here as brickies' line, and like Nick says, it's in the power tool section. In Bunnings Northland it's past the drills in the back racks, right hand side, down low. You'll get much better service at the MItre 10 on Sydney road or the BizBuz on High St Preston though.

Rod

However, the stuff is nylon, and expands when it gets cold.
Translation: after the sun goes down you find all your guy ropes have gone slack. PITA.

I now use Spectra. Knotting is painful.

Dacron also avoids nylon's expansion problem (or maybe has much much less of it). Braided dacron kite line works well. Still a bit of a pain to knot but not as much as the spectra I've tried.

Another strike against "Mason's line" … most of it is twisted strands and it unravels/untwists with a vengeance, even when you fuse the cut ends.

After trying many guylines, I have settled on Dacron Planer Board line:

http://www.cortlandline.com/products/default.asp?id=153

It is inexpensive, low stretch, easy to work with, high visibility, & light.

It is easy to find at fishing shops.

Dan

Braided mason's lines works better than twisted.

I ship a firm braided Dacron Polyester cord with my tarps.

Little stretch, hold up better in sunlight than nylon.
White shows up at night. Holds knots WAYYY better than
spectra, and the firm finish is easier to work with.

Just how strong does a tarp cord need to be?

Kinda like nuclear proliferation, how many times do we
need to be able to blow up the whole world to know we
can feel secure? How many times stronger does the cord need
to be than the tent tie out?

Nice metaphor! So the answer is they are strong enough?

I use 1 mm dacron for most tie outs. In the case of a sharp
edged rock for an anchor, then a heavier piece of cord
may be needed at that point.

Oh yeah, they are all strong enough. Watch out for fraying over sharp edges of course.

Think about it: would you expect to hang a medium-sized person (150 lb) off a guy rope attachment point?

Cheers

Thanks Everybody for the input. I have used this product for years and have never broke a string. When setting lines for construction purposes it has to be extremely tight to not be affected by the ever present wind.(I live on the eastern front of the rockies.) In my local building supply stores it can usually be found by the tape measures and chalk-lines. It comes in a variety of colors. I made a six strand cord with green last night. After a trip to the store tomorrow I want to make a 3 strand cord out of pink, green and orange. I know it weighs more but to have your myog custom colored cordage is beyond uber-cool!

Jim: While you are correct about the twisted strands I haven't had any problems with unraveling after completely melting the ends.

Roger:As always thanks. I seem to remember a post about self-tightening guys made with surgical tubing, Hmmmmmmm. As always one idea seems to lead to 2 more.

edit: here is the address-http://tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearTarpTensioner2.html

NM