roo
31 December 2022 22:20
5
I plan to build hobby tensegrity structures [1,2,3], and I am searching for a knot, like a buntline hitch [4], but can be dressed to an accurate length while under a fair bit of tension. The buntline hitch is hard to tie under tension, so, for taught lines, I normally anchor one end with a bunt line and then use a versatackle [5] for tensioning on the other. The versatackle works fine for tarps, but not for tensegrity structures, where I want small and secure knots at both ends of the tendon (rope). Small is for looks, and secure is for keeping the structures taught for extended periods of time [6].
The best candidate I’ve found is the load releasing configuration of the buntline hitch [3], where I might add extra wraps for the first loop around the “spar” for additional friction (like a sailing winch) to unload the rest of the hitch while dressing the knot. I realize I might have to retie the knot several time to get its length just right, but I can be patient. The unloading part is important because I don’t have enough hand strength, speed, or coordination to tie a simple hitch (of almost any kind) under tension.
Is my thinking sound? Might there be a better knot I should consider? If so a link to it would be greatly appreciated.
[1] A practicle Guide to Tensegrity Design, https://bobwb.tripod.com/tenseg/book/cover.html https://bobwb.tripod.com/tenseg/book/chap2_2.xml https://bobwb.tripod.com/prospect/prospect.htm#Oct6vnet https://notableknotindex.webs.com/slippedbuntline.html https://notableknotindex.webs.com/Versatackle.html
A small HFP Slippery 8 Loop may have the function you desire without being too large:
https://notableknotindex.webs.com/slippery8.html
It is not intended to be tied under tension, but can be adjusted under some tension. I find myself using it far more than I would have though possible.