Most tent poles use elastic shock cord to quickly and easily connect the poles when erecting a tent. Here’s an alternative using kite line and a couple of kite/archery fittings. It is a little difficult to understand how things work if you don’t have it in your hands.
The fittings are called stubby nocks and are shown here:
Explanation
The photo above showing an assembled pole with a string attached like a violin bow gives you an idea how the stubby nock might be typically used. It isn’t how I’m using it, however. I run the string inside the pole. This photo might help.
I’ve modified the nock by drilling a hole down its center. This allows the string to be placed inside the tent pole. The hole down the center of the nock is large enough to allow the knotted string to pass through it. When the string’s knot is jammed into the smaller side slot/hole of the nock, however, it holds tight.
Why Do This
This method allows the poles to be pulled together very tightly. There is no risk that an elastic shock cord will allow the poles to come slightly apart while assembling the tent. This prevents breaks at the ferrels and also allows one to pull (instead of push) poles through pole sleeves without fear that they will come apart.
