One Hook Bungee

[ChinaVoodoo]

This is a tool we make for holding x-ray film on a pipe or vessel but it has myriad uses. I hate regular bungees. The hooks are often too big, and sometimes too small. The range of usable length is predetermined.

Basic design is that the bungee is compressed in the bend which obviously has to be more narrow than the bungee cord, and there is an even narrower section which prevents it from popping out. You can adjust the length. For added security you can tie a knot. For extra length you can just tie a rope on the end. If you make one, look for bungee cord that has a high number of small round elastics. Everything else isn't as good. Great for loads, holding gates, setting up tarps, bundling stuff, strapping things to your motorcycle, hanging stuff...

This is an unusually small bungee, but you get the picture.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

 

[MarcL]

I like it. Have you made it fail?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I like it. Have you made it fail?

When they are well-worn, the strands inside tear. If the hook is too wide, it will slip, lengthwise, but a knot will prevent that. If there isn't a pinch point in the middle, it can pop out. I have had hooks fail. One for corrosion, and another made with music wire which snapped because it was too hard. I've been using them for over twenty years and gone through dozens. But we use them constantly. A bungee should last for several thousand x-rays.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

 

[MarcL]

yeah, that ow figured it. I gotta say that is kinda bad ŧ§

 

[MarcL]

Did you make a jig to make them?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Did you make a jig to make them?

Just pliers and a vice, and a welding rod.
One issue is applying the hook.
If you take a two hook bungee, and cut off one end, you can slide the hooks off and you still have an end of the bungee that is folded back and wrapped in wire. You would then have to apply your hook to that end.

If you have bulk bungee, you can fold it back and wrap it with fiberglass tape, or welding rod.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Oh, the welding rod I mentioned above, you stick in the crotch of the hook while you use the pliers to squeeze the pinch point. It prevents squeezing the entire hook shut.

 

[MarcL]

Oh, the welding rod I mentioned above, you stick in the crotch of the hook while you use the pliers to squeeze the pinch point. It prevents squeezing the entire hook shut.

So, a little bit as I see it.