Saturday, June 30, 2012

First DIY Hammock

Worked on my first DIY camping hammock today.
Fabric: Nylon Taffeta for one layer, 1.1 oz. Nylon Ripstop for inner layer. (Rockywoods.com $3.99/yard x3 yards 3 = $24.00)
Rope: 3/8" x 50' Highland Saxon Polypropylene Rope (600 lb. load, wt. of 50' rope = 12 oz.) ($9.99), 2 "C"-Clamps (closable kind from hardware section) (Walmart)
Note: Moose's Tooth has Tubular Webbing with 4,000 lb. breaking strength for climbers. Online this sells for 36 cents/foot.

Construction: Double Fisherman's Knot to make loops out of the rope (two long loops to go around the tree, two short loops to attach to the hammock). Double Sheet Bend (plus double links of rope) to attach the hammock. Look  "How to Tie a Knot" on internet. No whipping needed, no hem/channel needed for this knot. Prusik Knot on the C-Clamp (both loops of rope attach to the C-clamp with Pruski's). Cut the fabric to 50" x 109" on the ping pong table using a 6 ft aluminum ruler for straight edge and c-clamps to hold it in place while cutting with a soldering iron.

So far, very happy with the way the rigging turned out. The whole suspension only weighs 12 oz.
The two sheets of fabric (before cutting them to size) w
eigh about 14 oz.

I would like to add a bug net at some time. Check Lincoln Tent and Awning to see if they have No-Seeum mesh. Otherwise Joann's Fabric has black, dark green, brown Nylon Tulle for $1.99/yard (60 inches wide).

I think I would like to hem each edge of the two sheets. Then Sandwich bug net between two layers and so all 3 together as a sandwich along one side. Use some replacement tent Shock Cord for a ridge line and attach to the C-Clamps with carabiners. Not sure how to affix the other side of the net to keep the bugs out. If I ever sow the two sheets together, leave room to slide my sleeping pad between them. I might be able to use my old Kelty Tent Fly for a rain fly for the hammock. Otherwise maybe check garage sales for old tents cheap and use the fly? Or get some sylnylon for the fly. I could wrap a loop of velcro around each end were the bug net comes together to close the ends.



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