Guylines - Material and Sources

[Aushiker]

Hi

Been awhile since I need to get new guylines and I thought it would be simple matter of a quick search of eBay for a good Chinese supplier at minimal dollars. I was wrong So any suggestions on good quality guyline material, best diameter etc and sources? I only need the rope itself.

Thanks in advance
Andrew

[ofuros]

possible option.....
From any hardware store....

[Mark F]

I agree with ofuros. Braided builders line works well for guys, stuff sac cords etc. It is light, holds knots, other colours as well. Do ensure you get the braided line, some is just twisted. Next step up is dyneema cords or Triptease line form the US.

[Marwood]

I prefer reflective guylines. Reduces - but doesn't eliminate unfortunately - my chances of a midnight faceplant.

[DonQx]

What material it is is important.

Nylon stretches a lot (up to 15% or so). I prefer guy lines not to stretch. Most hardware store lines seem to stretch a fair bit.

Polyester sems to be the best cheap material for non-stretch.

I've been buying thin white polyester lines at Marine stores, usually in lengths of 10m or more. White is good at night, recently had an outing with dark lines and everyone kept stepping on them.

Did a quick search on eBay, here are some links that could lead to something useful (fishing & kite flying oriented sellers seem to have the best?) ...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Braided-Polyester-Fly-line-backing-30-pound-50m-spool-/270716036393?pt=AU_FishingReels&hash=item3f07eee529
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bulk-Kite-Line-50Lb-X-500-Braided-Polyester-Tube-/230654000158?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b40cbc1e
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Spectra-Sear-Polyester-Flying-Line-465-300ft-/230682867449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b5c536f9
http://stores.ebay.com.au/The-Rope-Guys-Warehouse?_trksid=p4340.l2563

[ofuros]

Your local bushwalking shop should have rolls of the the stuff in different sizes, 2, 2.5, 3, 4 & 5mm,
non reflective/ reflective colours, tucked away in a corner somewhere.....

Come sales time, I occasionally add some to a order if I'm buying some bulkier items from the usa,
guylines weigh next to nothing.
....and there's quite a few sales on at the moment.

Blue Nite Ize 3.5mm comes with figure 9's...diameter's easy to handle, but probably a litte large.
Kelty yellow Triptease 3mm, reflective with dyneema core...strong.
Extra tie downs..Grip clips by sierra designs..for when the wind tries to rip away the only
thing thats keeping the elements at bay.

[Franco]

I use that Builders Line (Bunnings)for short (non load bearing) tie outs and zip pulls.
However I bathe that in a highly diluted solution of silicone and mineral turpentine.
For guylines I use yellow Dyneema (BPL) (very light and strong but you need a tightener/knot replacement because a slip knot does not hold.
I also use TripTease,(TT) the yellow type in ofuros's pic.
Franco

[remote]

Hi Aushiker, we have plenty of the genuine W.E. reflective guy line in stock. It is black with the white reflective flecks throughout and is standard on all of their hiking tent range. Try Remote Equipment Repairs, lt Bourke St Melbourne.

Thanks
Ray.

[Stuntman]

Exped - dynema cored line with black sheath and a reflective tracer that I like - <2mm diameter. Its has a nice "hand" to it

kelty triptease- dynema cored line with yellow sheath and relfective tracer - nice line but the I found the sheath can be a bit abrasive - <2mm

Sea to Summit - ~2.5mm black line with relfective tracer- bought some thinking it was the same as the WE line - its not - it has a cotton core - not great line for the price (you can do better)

Bluewater - 3mm dynema cored line with reflective tracer - bit heavy for guyline, but an option - I have a hank for setting up a tarp ridgline as the larger size makes its easier to see during the day and the reflective tracer means no coat hangers at night.

Or some yellow 1.8mm straight dynema - easy to see, relatively tangle free, but not reflective

[andrewa]

I don't like builders line. It is loosely woven, and the threads catch.

Very thin white blind cord from hardware shops is good. Boating shops sell anything from Dyneema 3mm ( something like 750kg b/s ???overkill??!) to just normal 2 mm braid on spools. If you want reflective you'll have to look at bushwalking shops I think ( Remote's reply above looks good), or just stick some sections of reflective tape on ( from boating shops again). Kite string (?spectra) is also apparently good. All should be able to be sourced easily locally.

A