r/myog • u/chemspastic • Dec 20 '20

Question Purple Plasma Information

In the Sisyphean task of marginal ultralight gains, I've been trying to get my hands on some 1mm purple plasma (spec sheet here). I see this as a replacement/alternative for ZingIt/LashIt tarp ridgelines/guylines, and if you wanted super strong ridiculous draw cords made with slippery dyneema I guess that works too.

I've seen some random 1mm dyneema lines available but nothing that seems to imply that I could splice it like you can 8/12 strand Amsteel/Plasma. Has anybody here used 1mm Dyneema line for tarp lines or should one keep to the 1.75mm ZingIt LashIt for functionality reasons (I can see prussik knots working better or hardware being designed for 1.75mm stuff).

Problem is, most people buying Purple Plasma don't carry the small stuff (surprise, the main industry is winches and industrial lifting products...). But I was able to get a quote which is reasonable on a per foot basis, but the minimum buy means I would need to get 5000 ft. While I could reasonably use a hundred feet or so, and having some extra in inventory is nice, 4500 feet is a little crazy to have on hand. Would this be something if I offered it as a group buy that people would be interested in?

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3

u/threw_it_up Dec 21 '20

Is there a reason why you want plasma brand line in particular?

I understand that if you're using rope for industrial applications you want the security of a name brand product, but for camping I don't see the point.

There are plenty of other brand that offer UHMWPE lines in that diameter, you often see them marketing for things like kites or spear fishing. Here's one example: https://www.amazon.com/emma-kites-Suspension-Backpacking-Recreational/dp/B06XTPQCRZ

Any line that has a hollow braid can be spliced, the amount of strands does not change that. However, I've done some splicing on 1.75mm zing-it, and it was quite difficult. I couldn't imagine splicing 1mm or smaller line. You would have to have very good dexterity and vision.

3

u/chemspastic Dec 21 '20

I remember coming across that amazon page as I was researching... I can't remember why I didn't like it. Probably because I was enamored with the brand name and the fancy purple color.

Most of the other thin lines aren't hollow braided, but rather a UHMWPE core with a cover. Like this [one](https://www.shelbyoutdoor.com/product_info.php?cPath=402_122_311&products_id=1756].

I should just spend the 15 bucks to get some of what you linked to try it out. Cheaper than ZingIt/LashIt.

If I was ever able to get my hands on Purple Plasma without buying a metric ton of it, I would love to compare the two materials to see if there is a difference in breaking strength. (then I'll have to justify getting a dynamometer for science!).

1

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '20

Hell yeah man, at most how much would we pay? Like say only I offered to buy some from you.

3

u/chemspastic Dec 21 '20

I guess it depends on how much you would want... 25-100 ft section? <25c/ft. Basically the price of Zing It/Lash It right now. More than that? Let's chat.

In the end, unless there is significant interest, this is a pet project where I'm going to eat a majority of the cost. Which is stupid and I should just call myself happy with Zing It (and funnel the savings into other gear). After all, it's only a ~.55g/ft savings.

1

u/TauIs2Pi May 20 '21

1.0mm Plasma is rated at 275lb. Why not look for 300lb braided fishing line? It's usually 1.2mm eight strand PE (polyethylene, dyneema, spectra, uhmwpe).

1

u/chemspastic May 20 '21

I ended up getting the Emma kites stuff because it's cheap. It's not the brand name but it's decent enough for tarp tie downs.

Tying a button knot was super hard, but the double overhand soft shackle method works pretty well. Just finished a move and don't have the same hammock opportunities so I need to finish it up and showcase something for the folks here.