OMG - this crazy thing actually works!

[DIY Outdoors]

In the last week I've gone from lusting after hammock designs on the internet, to being a hammock owner.
With the help of a member here, I acquired a nylon tablecloth, (in a nifty electric guacamole color) and haphazardly gathered the ends of the tablecloth and put an overhand knot in each end.
After a quick trip to Harbor Freight, I picked up a pair of the lashing straps in blaze orange.
60 seconds work with a hacksaw removed the buckles, and now I had a pair of suspension straps.
Not having a handy pair of trees to affix my new creation too, I was afraid it might be awhile before I could get out to the woods to try out my contraption.
But luckily. newbie enthusiasm overrode dignity and I decided to hoist it aloft in my front yard.
I lashed one end to the oak tree in the front yard, and the positioned my truck to avail myself of the trailer hitch on the truck's bumper.
I wrapped one strap around the knot on the hammock and did a quick larkshead to secure it, and I lashed the free end around the tree with my attempt at a Speer knot.
On the other end of the hammock, I ran the free end of the strap through the overhand knot in the fabric, and did another (close?) approximation of a larkshead.
I tested both ends by pulling on them, and they seemed solid, so I put the last strap around the bumper hitch, put in a MSH, and turned to admire my work.
Dang!! Looks kind of like a real hammock!!
I tentatively eased into the hammock and leaned back to try it out.
Whoa!! Seems my Speer knot was a little loose. It slipped a bit and dropped the hammock down a few inches.
I retied the knot, making sure it was tighter this time and retried the entry.
Success at last!
I reclined back into the hammock and was amazed at how comfortable it was. Almost like floating in air. There was also a gentle swaying that was seductively calming and welcoming.
There was a bit of a 'cocooning' effect with the nylon closing at the top, but I'm not sure if I actually minded it. It was also a bit tight around my shoulders- but that could just be the bad angle I tied it into due to the truck bumper being below waist height. .
Even though the angle was off. it was really comfortable and relaxing. I laid in the hammock for awhile, and was debating on whether I should sleep in it tonight - strictly for testing purposes of course. I decided to spare my girlfriend from having to explain the odd goings on in the front yard (pretty sure passing cars were slowing down to get a better look) and moved inside for the night.
Can't wait to spend my first night in it.

The member here gave me a great discount, but counting the table cloth at $20 retail, and $3 for the suspension straps, I think it's pretty easy to put together a viable budget hammock for about $25.

( the HF straps don't really inspire confidence, so I'll be upgrading to some from Dutch ASAP, but I 'm 6ft and 190, the HF straps should be fine for lighter folks).

[Bl@ckbird]

Get yourself a ridge line and play around with the length. That may help with the shoulder squeeze. I've been sleeping mine once a week the last few. Been nice and cool here in Florida.

[Clockw3rk]

Welcome to the rabbithole...
I dare you not to spend $1000 in the next year.

[Dos]

Welcome to the rabbithole...
.

oh yeah.....

[DIY Outdoors]

Originally Posted by Clockw3rk View Post
Welcome to the rabbithole...

oh yeah.....

It's not too bad...so far I've only bought $20 worth of stuff from Dutch (this week).

well... there was the $35 worth of tarps - hey! they were on sale! ( at 2 different stores)
But those were just cheap ones... I need "real" tarp next, maybe a Kelty...

And a new stove, I'll probably make an alcohol stove (or 3) and then get a Primus, and one of those cheap knock offs from Amazon - just for science's sake- so I can compare the 2.

And I've been checking Craigslist, I have my eye on a couple of older sewing machines....

Then all I'll need is a sleeping bag- OK and maybe a bivy bag, I always wanted to try one of those - and then a poncho liner to make a UQ.
SEEEEE... I can stop at any time.


Hammock
Acquisition
Malady


edit to add - oh yeah, now i need a Go Pro HD camera to document all my adventures.
(I'm blaming Alastair Humphreys http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/for this part)

[Rollintent]

It's not too bad...so far I've only bought $20 worth of stuff from Dutch (this week).

well... there was the $35 worth of tarps - hey! they were on sale! ( at 2 different stores)
But those were just cheap ones... I need "real" tarp next, maybe a Kelty...

And a new stove, I'll probably make an alcohol stove (or 3) and then get a Primus, and one of those cheap knock offs from Amazon - just for science's sake- so I can compare the 2.

And I've been checking Craigslist, I have my eye on a couple of older sewing machines....

Then all I'll need is a sleeping bag- OK and maybe a bivy bag, I always wanted to try one of those - and then a poncho liner to make a UQ.
SEEEEE... I can stop at any time.


Hammock
Acquisition
Malady


edit to add - oh yeah, now i need a Go Pro HD camera to document all my adventures.
(I'm blaming Alastair Humphreys http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/for this part)

I might make a suggestion on how to approach gearing up based on my own experiences and where I could have saved myself a fair amount of money along the way. I compromised on a few items when I was getting started. For example I had a 0 degree, heavy, bulky sleeping bag already that was working since I wasn't backpacking yet but planned to get geared up for it. Instead of going for a high quality purpose made top quilt I bought a kelty cosmic down bag and used it as a top quilt to save on bulk and weight and to be able to have something a little more useful sooner rather than later. Time went by and I ended up with an HG 20 degree TQ that is under half the weight and size of my Kelty sleeping bag. So If I had just used the bag I had till I could save enough to get a quality piece of gear that I knew I would eventually get anyways first I would have saved a bunch of money. So, for example if you are considering a Kelty tarp just to save money and thinking you will eventually buy say a Superfly or some other high quality silnylon tarp later I would recommend waiting a little longer to save up what you need to get the higher quality gear when you do get it if you have what you need to get by for now. I realize everyone's situation is different but I wish I had done what I am suggesting for what it's worth. Also, based on my own experience, it sounds like you are hooked on the whole hammock thing already and you might as well just come to terms with it now. Welcome to the club!

It sounds like you're having a lot of fun already and that's what counts.

[cougarmeat]

So the other end of the hammock is on the truck's bumper? That's a pretty high bumper, right?

[DIY Outdoors]

So the other end of the hammock is on the truck's bumper? That's a pretty high bumper, right?

It's not totally redneck/brodozer level...

The driveway has a bit of an angle to it that gave me most of the elevation.

[Maytag]

In the last week I've gone from lusting after hammock designs on the internet, to being a hammock owner.
With the help of a member here, I acquired a nylon tablecloth, (in a nifty electric guacamole color) and haphazardly gathered the ends of the tablecloth and put an overhand knot in each end.
After a quick trip to Harbor Freight, I picked up a pair of the lashing straps in blaze orange.
60 seconds work with a hacksaw removed the buckles, and now I had a pair of suspension straps.
Not having a handy pair of trees to affix my new creation too, I was afraid it might be awhile before I could get out to the woods to try out my contraption.
But luckily. newbie enthusiasm overrode dignity and I decided to hoist it aloft in my front yard.
I lashed one end to the oak tree in the front yard, and the positioned my truck to avail myself of the trailer hitch on the truck's bumper.
I wrapped one strap around the knot on the hammock and did a quick larkshead to secure it, and I lashed the free end around the tree with my attempt at a Speer knot.
On the other end of the hammock, I ran the free end of the strap through the overhand knot in the fabric, and did another (close?) approximation of a larkshead.
I tested both ends by pulling on them, and they seemed solid, so I put the last strap around the bumper hitch, put in a MSH, and turned to admire my work.
Dang!! Looks kind of like a real hammock!!
I tentatively eased into the hammock and leaned back to try it out.
Whoa!! Seems my Speer knot was a little loose. It slipped a bit and dropped the hammock down a few inches.
I retied the knot, making sure it was tighter this time and retried the entry.
Success at last!
I reclined back into the hammock and was amazed at how comfortable it was. Almost like floating in air. There was also a gentle swaying that was seductively calming and welcoming.
There was a bit of a 'cocooning' effect with the nylon closing at the top, but I'm not sure if I actually minded it. It was also a bit tight around my shoulders- but that could just be the bad angle I tied it into due to the truck bumper being below waist height. .
Even though the angle was off. it was really comfortable and relaxing. I laid in the hammock for awhile, and was debating on whether I should sleep in it tonight - strictly for testing purposes of course. I decided to spare my girlfriend from having to explain the odd goings on in the front yard (pretty sure passing cars were slowing down to get a better look) and moved inside for the night.
Can't wait to spend my first night in it.

The member here gave me a great discount, but counting the table cloth at $20 retail, and $3 for the suspension straps, I think it's pretty easy to put together a viable budget hammock for about $25.

( the HF straps don't really inspire confidence, so I'll be upgrading to some from Dutch ASAP, but I 'm 6ft and 190, the HF straps should be fine for lighter folks).

My favorite hammock is my purple table cloth. Thanks Sue Miller

[Twokag]

4 cacoons IMG_20150517_190956.jpg