View Full Version : Thai Hammock
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has made and used the Thai hammock over in the diy section, if so what do you think of it, does it do the job or do you need to spend lots on one of the named designs to get a decent nights sleep?
Cheers
David
giancarlo
09-03-2004, 12:11
Neil was the one who wrote those instructions, so i guess he'll be the best one to ask.
http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/community/viewtopic.php?t=83
They work very well and I know several people who use them all the time, in fact two other forum users are among them.
I noticed Trekdirect are selling exactly the same item for £20-£25.
They work well because they are so simple, to make and use.
Neil1
They work very well
Thats all I needed to know thanks, I think even my sewing (un)skills can cope with that design, but I'll leave the jacket to my wife's very capable hands!
Thanks
David
Got 5m of dpm lightweight ripstop nylon for a grand total of £5 from a shop called somthing like 'the £1 a yard fabric shop' in Dewsbury today, just got to pick up some webbing tomorrow and I'll have a bargain Thai Hammock, just need to figure out an equally bargain tarp to go over it!
Cheers
David
Make sure the nylons not proofed?
Neil1
Make sure the nylons not proofed?
Neil1
Definatly not proffed, but thanks for the critical safety reminder. Sticking it over my mouth I could breath through it without any problem so no sufforcation problems there!
Cheers
David
just need to figure out an equally bargain tarp to go over it!
Are you going to make your own? Check out the pattern on the Hennassy Safari Delux. Its massive and hexagonal, you can get them for about £35+P&P from hennassy but its a good shape if you don't want a seam running down the centre/ridge line.
:-)
Ed
just need to figure out an equally bargain tarp to go over it!
Are you going to make your own? Check out the pattern on the Hennassy Safari Delux. Its massive and hexagonal, you can get them for about £35+P&P from hennassy but its a good shape if you don't want a seam running down the centre/ridge line.
:-)
Ed
Looks good, thanks for the tip.
David
Buckshot
17-03-2004, 10:57
Daft question time... :oops:
What is a Thai hammock and how does it differ to a 'normal' one
Cheers
Mark
giancarlo
17-03-2004, 11:03
Mark, this one :)
http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/200/thai_hammock.html
I don't think I'd ever get to the point of trusting my sewing enough for that!
Buckshot
17-03-2004, 13:59
ah ha, thanks Giancarlo
Mark
bushblade
17-03-2004, 15:06
Remember though, if you want to stay dry you'll need to set up drip lines to prevent rain water running down the support lines and soaking the hammock.
For those of you who don't fancy making your own, they can be bought from http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/ they also do the mosquito net to fit, so you could put togethother your own eco sleep system for a lot less.
I don't think I'd ever get to the point of trusting my sewing enough for that!
My sewing skills are zero but my wife is a first rate seamstress (has been known to make pure silk wedding dresses for fun!) She says it will be a good project to teach me the basics on, and shouldn't take more than an hour or two.
If you can find someone who can sew ask for a lesson!
David
Hi David,
Have you attempted the Thai Hammock? I have to date assembled 3 on a domestic sewing machine, and it was the first time that I had used one. Neil's design is very easy to follow.
And yes it is very comfortable. :-)
All The Best
Nigel
Hi David,
Have you attempted the Thai Hammock? I have to date assembled 3 on a domestic sewing machine, and it was the first time that I had used one. Neil's design is very easy to follow.
And yes it is very comfortable. :-)
All The Best
Nigel
Yep,
For less than a tenner which the supplies cost me it can't be beaten!
Cheers
David
the naughty boy
05-05-2004, 15:24
im v.interested in a hammock but couldnt be bothered running about looking for the materiels, are they just the same as hennesy type ones and are they big enough for a big boy like me,15 stone and over 6 ft?
if someone makes me one i will pay them.
pm me ,go on dont be shy :wink:
The thai hammock is used quite extensively in the military (Jungle warfare Long Range Patrols and Jungle warfare Instructors). There are some quite large lads there also.
As long as the materials that you use are upto scratch then there should be no problem. :-)
I reckon im gonna buy a hennessey :oops: :wink:
I have plenty of material lying around mostly ultra lightweight spinnaker ripstop that I use for traction kites, all coated unfortunately, but Ive also got some heavyweight polyester that Ive never found a use for so I think I'll turn it into a hammock. Only problem is it'll run to about a a Kilo once its made up which isnt exactly lightweight!
I have a couple of questions though, why the envelope shape? Isnt the middle seam likely to be a weakness (Im assuming you lie inside the envelope)? Also, the Bushcraft plan leaves the cloth on the open edge of the envelope unfinished which might be a weakness long term, I tend to use a double french seam everywhere for this kind of thing for max strength and no unfinished or exposed edges. Also why use webbing for the end loops, wouldnt rope do just as well?
A quick web search turned up this design amongst others:-
http://www.uniqueprojects.com/projects/hammock/hammock.htm
It looks like a simpler version with no compromises that I can see compared to the design above except for the omission of webbing reinforcements at the ends which I would probably add.
Id appreciate comments on the two designs from users/makers though before I get my old treadle out.
Also, has anybody made a string hammock? How easy was it to make, and any good plans? I had a lightweight commercial one years ago and it started falling apart after about two nights use!
Jason
Maybe worth adding, choose your thread carefully! These style hammocks appear to put a lot of strain on the stitching.
Cotton is obviously a no no and for max strength bonded nylon or polyester upholstery thread is the best but this stuff is quite abrasive, it'll eventually saw through the guides on modern domestic machines if they will sew properly with it at all, it can be lubed with silicon spray though.
Jason
the naughty boy
07-05-2004, 11:52
FANTASTIC link m8, just what i was looking for. :notworthy
I have a couple of questions though, why the envelope shape? Isnt the middle seam likely to be a weakness (Im assuming you lie inside the envelope)?
I assume this is somewhere you can put some insulation (ie thermarest) if it's cold.
I have a couple of questions though, why the envelope shape? Isnt the middle seam likely to be a weakness (Im assuming you lie inside the envelope)?
I assume this is somewhere you can put some insulation (ie thermarest) if it's cold.
Ahhhhh I see! Thanks Stew, so you dont lie inside the envelope but the hammock is double thickness, I did wonder if that could be it but I dont see why you cant place a mat on top of a single layer hammock.
Jason
You can sleep on it or in it (helps keep the bugs off). You can even make the top layer from midge netting!
Ahh! yes buy the Hennesy (much easier)
You can buy a gas lighter to light your fires, but the sense of achievment of lighting a fire by friction is almost beyond words.
The same holds true with making your own kit, something you have made (or designed, or both) that you can use in the field is a great feeling, its adds to that feeling of independence in the outdoors. Why settle for someone elses design, they are not you, they do not know what your exact needs are.
My knife sheath, leather possibles bag, ventile smock, hammock, stove bag, mesh compression bag and rucksack carry system (15-150ltrs) are all homemade, they all function as I want them to, have the pockets I need (where I want them) and its all in the colours I want.
And then theres the money you save - what I saved on my smock (£130) I spent on a new Mountain Equipment military sleeping bag and a new swanni (surely thats enough incentive in itself).
Neil1
I completely agree with you Neil!
Just looking for a bit of help understanding different aspects of the design so I can decide how best to make my own. The cloth Im planning to use for my first one is quite heavy so I wouldnt really want to double it, and its not big enough to double up anyway :)
Im afraid I dont do clothes though, Im reasonbly good with my old man powered Singers but I know my limits ;)
Jason
the naughty boy
08-05-2004, 19:19
decided to give it a go ,so i went to a fabric shop here in lurgan and discovered an alladins cave of materiels, from camoflaged dpm cotton and waterproof olive colored materiel to make bashas from.even eyelets for guy lines :-D
so i bought some black taffeta and some black mesh like materiel to form a mosquito proof hammock.a couple of hours later with the help of my moms sewing machine i had a smashing home made thai hammock.i also discovered the possibilities a sewing machine opens up!
i can make my own basha and hammock for under 20 quid :-D
ps the taffeta comes in different weights so i made a single skin one to start with.
there seems to be a lot of loose materiel at the sides though and im wondering if you slightly rounded the line of stitching at the load bearing ends would this tighten up the edges and eradicate the posibility of rolling over and falling out? perhaps i,ll break out the sewing machine again and try it.
How wide did you make it naughty boy?
the naughty boy
08-05-2004, 21:51
the materiel was 65 inches m8 so i just made it that width.im going to try the arc effect stitching tomorrow to see if it encloses it slightly.
one other defect i noticed...one side is about three inches longer than the other and you definitly feel like falling toward that shorter side.it was a rush job im afraid but easily remedied i think.i,ll fix it and post a pic and review :-D
the materiel was 65 inches m8 so i just made it that width.im going to try the arc effect stitching tomorrow to see if it encloses it slightly.
one other defect i noticed...one side is about three inches longer than the other and you definitly feel like falling toward that shorter side.it was a rush job im afraid but easily remedied i think.i,ll fix it and post a pic and review :-D
Thats quite wide about 165cm, I was thinking Id make mine about 120cm.
Look forward to the review :)
I've just found a place I can pertex xpx4 or xpx5 for £2.50 a meter, would this be any good for the material?
the naughty boy
11-05-2004, 09:57
whats pertex?
i used the same stuff they use for the propod which is taffeta,but if you ask the shopkeeper about weights and strengths of fabrics im sure youll find the ideal one for you.
mine rolls up incredibly small and compact.
dont forget also that you dont need dedicated mosquito netting either. i got this very strong but almost transparent materiel that even the smallest midge couldnt squeeze through. both materiels are in black.could have gotten green ,red or any of a huge range of colors.
whats pertex?
Its a lightweight windproof synthetic fabric that has some water repelancy.... but not much unless its treated.
Ed
the naughty boy
11-05-2004, 20:20
i thought you were supposed to be able to breath through the fabric in case of suffocation?
whats the hennessy spec then?does it tell what its made from anywhere?
the pro pod looks very like the mears eco thingy, but at least half the money. and it uses taffeta.
did i say i can get basha like materiel too,and dpm cloth in three patterns too?
I presume everyone knows about http://www.pointnorth.co.uk/ for fabrics & things?
Is the Pertex local? S'cheaper than Point North do it...
http://www.pointnorth.co.uk/technical/PX.htm has some gubbins on the tech specs of Pertex.
Point North is where I was looking as they have it in their specials section, no one has against it so I may just have to buy a few meters to give it a go, looks light weight and fairly strong (needs to be to support my weight... :oops: )
i thought you were supposed to be able to breath through the fabric in case of suffocation?
oooops :oops: I forgot to mention its breathable....
whats the hennessy spec then?does it tell what its made from anywhere?
The expedition asym has a 210 D oxford weave nylon base and the ultrlight had a 70D nylon taffeta with a 160 x 90 high thread count which makes it strong.
You can check on the hennessy specs here ;-)
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/catalogue.htm#
:-)
Ed
Just ordered 5m of Pertex px5 and 10m of 25mm strong nylong webbing for £22.50
the naughty boy
13-05-2004, 00:08
cheers ed.
but when you mean breathable do you mean like gortex or that you can actually breath through the materiel as you can with taffeta?know what i mean?
i wouldnt fancy my bivvy bag being sealed and relying on its breathability.
when i was in the shop i put the materiels over my mouth and assesed whether i could breath through it.
also when i was trying mine out i rolled over onto my front and found my face pressed right up against the materiel because of the shape of the hammock.try it yourself if you can ,to see what i mean.smothering is such an inconvenience i find 8-)
but when you mean breathable do you mean like gortex or that you can actually breath through the materiel as you can with taffeta?know what i mean?
There are may different types/grades of pertex.... from fully waterproofed and breathable like goretex to light windproof. I would suggest contacting point north as they will send you samples so you can see for yourself ;-)
Ed
the naughty boy
03-06-2004, 14:43
did you ever get that hammock made then lithril?
whats the pertex like?
i went to the n.i. game fair last weekend and saw the bloke from wildlive doing the flint knapping thing,he was also selling hennesy hammocks. he let me try one out and they really are fantastic but looked very...copyable...especially when theyre asking 110 quid for em.the sewn on flysheet is a good invention as is the entry to it.
might have a go at making one now ive seen the spec.
I'm getting there with the hammock, pertex is quite thin and very slippery, snags up the machine something chronic, I'm getting around this by sticking the joins together with double sided tape and then sewing through the material and tape.
I thought about making a hennessy but apparently the stress on the seams are crucial to get the asymmetrical sleeping system. If you give it a go, let me know how it goes.
Not a hennessy but I'll defiantley be sewing a fly sheet into mine when I get a chance.