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Thread: New Hammock Stand

  1. #1
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    Default New Hammock Stand

    I was looking at the Hammock Forum website recently and came across a slightly different type of hammock stand.

    I wanted something I could just put up in my garden for the kids to use, as and when required. Also something that did not take up much space, was not dependent on land anchors and could be easily transported in my van.

    Some of the sites I work out of have very few trees so the stand needed to be either free standing or be adaptable enough to be used with just one tree.

    This is my prototype. Both sets of legs ready to erect.



    One of the tripods ready.



    I used an old Army tent pole as a connecting sleeve.



    Takes my weight easily. I tested it with a few mates and it held up well.



    I used Amsteel rope. The pole is connected to the tripod on some Amsteel and the hammock is attached directly to the pole. Only downward forces are applied to the tripod so no land anchors are required.



    I place caps over the tripod tops so I can put a tarp over it. I have spent two nights in it and it works a treat.



    This is only a prototype and plan to work on some variations.

    Cheers

    George
    Last edited by Seoras; 25-04-2012 at 23:51.
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  2. #2
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    Default

    George nice work. What dimensions have you used for the pole and tripods?
    Alan

    "Went the day Well?"

  3. #3
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    I will get the dimensions this weekend Alan. Roughly the tripod poles are about 5 and a half foot and the cross beam must be between 7 or 8 foot. Never thought to measure it all out, just went with what the hammock required and that it fitted all in my van.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  4. #4
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    Default

    Cheers George
    Look forward to the sizings. I've been struggling with various ideas (bipod, tripod and single pole versions for canoe tripping and back yard tinkering) for some time but have no practical ability to make in real life
    regards
    Alan

    "Went the day Well?"

  5. #5
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    Default

    That's great, when can I order one?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    James

    I go to the woods, not to run away from life, but to connect with it.

  6. #6
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    Default

    Absolutely fantastic.

    Is there any way it can be built without that cross bar?

  7. #7
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cbr6fs View Post
    Absolutely fantastic.

    Is there any way it can be built without that cross bar?
    That's what I was wondering ? Looks like its not needed if the angle of the tripods legs are set right ?

    Sent from my HTC Explorer using Tapatalk 2
    Git-R-Dun

  8. #8
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    Thanks folks.

    The cross bar is effectivley the anchor. If you take it away all the horizontal froces applied to the rig when you get into the hammock will collapse it. The crossbar is not directly lashed to the tripod but dangles of loops of amsteel.

    The legs are at a distance apart to give me the widest coverage but the maximum height (remember I am restricted by the size of my van).

    My aim is to find a stronger but smaller/lighter crossbar. Possibly even collapsible tripod legs.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  9. #9
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    Default

    Excellent job mate. It will be good to see how you get on with the lighter cross bar.

    Is it 2x1 your using??


    Atb CRaig
    Does the walker choose the path or the path the walker

  10. #10

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    That looks great George, I'm not short of trees here but that looks like its worth trying just for the sake of the project itself.

    There are some weird physics going on with the set up, in that the tripods only need to cope with half the weight of the system plus your body weight, whereas the connecting pole has to resist the compression force of your weight pulling the ends inwards at an angle - I seem to recall someone doing a calculation where the horizontal force is in the region of 600kgs for the average person! I reckon the connecting bar will need to remain the strongest part of the creation.

    Nice one!

    Ogri the trog
    Improvise, Adapt & Overcome
    www.Reddragonbushcraft.com

  11. #11
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    You are right Pete.

    I have tried a few crossbars and the only ones not to buckle have been the one in this shot and one using two army tent poles connected together.

    I should have pics of this and will load one up.

    On the Hammock Forum they have lots of different styles and I will try and find the link later (off to work now).

    May try out scaffolding poles (heavy but stronger and maybe a smaller diameter).

    Personally I just enjoy experimenting the designs.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  12. #12
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    Default ausome bud

    ausome bud well dunn now i am thinking about making one of these any advice also you mention anchors cos i dont like the idea of one with a ridgr bar due to using a wall bolt at one end so any ideas

  13. #13
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    Cheers Drew.

    You would need a heavy duty anchor or multiple small ones without a crossbar.

    I will try and post pictures of the other system this weekend.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  14. #14
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    Default

    Thats wicked, I'm going to have to try and make my own version of that. Got a large garden but very short on sutible trees unlesss I want a 20ft hang.
    resnikov

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  15. #15
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    Very interestin' G.....Keep us posted on the updating 'mods'...An' I'll expect t' see (an' buy) the finished item by the bushmoot... ......Crack on lad.
    Indecision is the key to flexibility:
    http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48343

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by CBJ View Post

    Is it 2x1 your using??
    I think so Craig. It is just the cheapest treated wood I could find.
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cap'n Badger View Post
    An' I'll expect t' see (an' buy) the finished item by the bushmoot...
    Not to sure about that Badger, maybe crack it by the next Moot :-)
    Last edited by Seoras; 26-04-2012 at 19:12.
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by drewdunnrespect View Post
    you mention anchors cos i dont like the idea of one with a ridgr bar due to using a wall bolt at one end so any ideas
    Hi Drew

    This was my first model made up of some Sycamore poles and Land Anchors (No crossbar required but a lot of rope required);



    I used 3 large spikes to take the strain and the tripod had a wide splay to it.

    I also used a spike on the tripod as added security.



    This helped keep the tripod on the ground when I sat in the hammock.

    The next design was a 'One Tree Hammock Stand'.

    I used one tripod and two old army tent poles (connected together). This type does not require land anchors.



    It was attached to the tree like this (free hanging)



    When I built this it was a simple case to build another tripod and trim the tops so a tarp could be placed over it.

    I hope that helps you decided which you decide to make? To be honest the crossbar does not bother me.

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  19. #19
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    i see cool and are you bringing it to the moot george cos i could do with a look at this one in the flesh so to speek

    also what nots have you used and what is the metal you have used to make both the tripods cos from here it looks like a gate hinge but i could be wrong

    also what lenth is your ridge pole because dependent on that is the size of your tarp

    and thanks for your help so far george
    Last edited by drewdunnrespect; 26-04-2012 at 20:24. Reason: missed something out

  20. #20

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    hmmm, I wonder instead of a crossbar you could use a rope on or near the floor. If the main beams are angled away from the hammock and pivot in such a way they pull a rope tied between the base of each pole tight.....
    Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
    William Blake



  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by mountainm View Post
    hmmm, I wonder instead of a crossbar you could use a rope on or near the floor. If the main beams are angled away from the hammock and pivot in such a way they pull a rope tied between the base of each pole tight.....
    I see where you are going with this mountainm. Got to be worth a try I think.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by drewdunnrespect View Post
    i see cool and are you bringing it to the moot george cos i could do with a look at this one in the flesh so to speek

    also what nots have you used and what is the metal you have used to make both the tripods cos from here it looks like a gate hinge but i could be wrong

    also what lenth is your ridge pole because dependent on that is the size of your tarp

    and thanks for your help so far george
    Hi Drew

    Should be able to bring it to the Moot.

    The tripods are held together by door hinges and bolts. Cheap and works a treat.

    The crossbar hangs on an adjustable loop of Amsteel (I used a Triple Fishermans). The loop sits in a groove in the wood so it does not slip off. The Amsteel is attached to the tripod with a few wraps and an Evenk to finish.

    I put a couple of more grooves around the pole ends so that I could whip some Amsteel onto each end and it would bite in. This whipping holds the hammock ends and has a Marlin hitch/spike at each end to attach a hammock.

    Dimensions I will get this weekend.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  23. #23
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    cheers bud that sounds ausome mate thanks for the info

  24. #24
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    cool very cool and inspiring
    Have a happy life with no regrets, and live long enough to be a burden to your kids.

  25. #25
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    this is my version, bit simpler but needs good ground anchors

  26. #26
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    Nice design Paul.

    How big/deep are the anchors?

    My problem was never having two decent ones and had to use lots of smaller ones hence playing around with a design not needing them.

    Cheers

    George
    'Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

    Sir Winston Churchill

  27. #27
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    That one was set up using two of the 10" screw anchors. Like the dog tethers but bigger. Once the ground dries out though i will be experimenting with two delta anchors at each end instead. http://www.deltagroundanchors.co.uk/home/a5_products

  28. #28
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    That's the kind of thing I was planning, although I only need one end as I have a suitable tree for the other! I think I can anchor the guyline to a fence post and it will be strong enough - certainly worth a try. Just need to get a couple of bits of suitable wood

  29. #29

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    I may have to look at a heavier weight type for moi me thinks. Thanks for the inspiration
    Whittler Kev.
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  30. #30

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    man that looks way too complicated for me nice ingenuity! i like Bardsters version too
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