Need some DIY advice for Channel End Hammock a la Switchback, DD, GT etc.

**Redoleary** · 05-02-2012, 18:25

I got it in my head today that I wanted to make a channel end hammock. I've done the Knotty version gathered end variety, and in fact I like it very much, I just want to see if there is any significant difference in the other style.

On to the question: is there any special reinforcement that need to happen to the ends beyond what looks like just three rows of stitching? Is it very similar to the Knotty hammock just with extra stitches and not whipped?

I looked pretty hard thru HF and couldn't really find this style of hammock being diy'd, at least not with the search criteria I was using. Any advice/ thread coordinates etc. would be greatly appreciated.

**mountain_man_mike** · 05-02-2012, 18:55

I've bought a few from a supplier on eBay for about $13 each and they are similar to ENO in that they have three rows of stitching. I'm not sure what type of thread they use, but I don't think it's a high quality Guttermans type of polyester thread. I got a giant spool of upholstery thread a couple of years ago and it's tough as nails, although it sometimes is hard to get the right tension settings on the thread injector.

It seems like there is a channel of about 1 1/4" then two more rows of stitching about 1/2" apart each. I haven't had one pop yet.

**Redoleary** · 05-02-2012, 20:26

Perfect, thanks for the info.

**gmcttr** · 05-02-2012, 20:39

This is a single layer 1.9oz. I did a ~3/4" roll hem (overkill), then folded over a ~2" hem and placed 3 rows of stitching (one of the 4 you see is the narrow roll hem. Now I usually just do a ~ 1 1/2" roll hem with 3 rows of stitching and call it good. When I did a single layer out of 1.0oz ripstop, I folded over 4 1/2" and then did a roll hem with the doubled layers, mainly just for edge reinforcement where the whoopie enters which is probably overkill as well.

**the_lorax** · 05-02-2012, 21:01

I did pretty much exactly the same as gmcttr for the hammock I made my daughter. Three rows of stitching is probably plenty since once I larksheaded the whoopie sling through the channel it seemed to be gripping the fabric and I suspect the stitching is bearing virtually none of the weight.

**Redoleary** · 05-03-2012, 05:59

Originally Posted by gmcttr

This is a single layer 1.9oz. I did a ~3/4" roll hem (overkill), then folded over a ~2" hem and placed 3 rows of stitching (one of the 4 you see is the narrow roll hem. Now I usually just do a ~ 1 1/2" roll hem with 3 rows of stitching and call it good. When I did a single layer out of 1.0oz ripstop, I folded over 4 1/2" and then did a roll hem with the doubled layers, mainly just for edge reinforcement where the whoopie enters which is probably overkill as well.

Great info, and thanks for the picture.

Originally Posted by the_lorax

I did pretty much exactly the same as gmcttr for the hammock I made my daughter. Three rows of stitching is probably plenty since once I larksheaded the whoopie sling through the channel it seemed to be gripping the fabric and I suspect the stitching is bearing virtually none of the weight.

Thanks Lorax, do you ever notice any wear on the apex of the channel, opposite the stitching where the amsteel rides?

**the_lorax** · 05-03-2012, 08:14

sorry , have not used it enough to really be able to say much about long term fabric wear.

maybe I'll have to "make" her hang in it a bit tonight to check it out. maybe dig out my GTUL and see how it looks after a couple years.

**Redoleary** · 05-03-2012, 09:30

I'm on my way out in a few minutes for a test hang. I modified my "test hammock" this morning to the channel design thank to everyones advice. I'll report back after the hang.

**the_lorax** · 05-03-2012, 20:58

hope the test went well Red!

Hung up daughter's hammock and sat in it and the outside edges of the channel didn't seem to be under any extra tension. In fact with all that material so scrunched up the outside edges of the channel may have had less tension since they ended up folded back towards the center/top. Guess that makes sense because the fabric is really under stress in the same part of the hammock width all along the length, that is in the middle of the hammock and not the outer edge.

The larkshead tightens down so well when you first load it that there isn't any sliding of the line back and forth in the channel so I doubt you'd need to worry much about any term sawing action compromising the fabric.

**nacra533** · 05-03-2012, 21:42

For some reason, I can't get a thumbnail to post. I have a picture in my gallery.

I have a dwg of Eno style whipping, at least how the line is tied. This method is much simpler than it looks the knots outside the fabric are tied after the double overhand knot inside the fabric. I prefer a double fishermans knot instead of the DOH knot inside.

Same picture, 2 links
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...3_original.jpg

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...imageuser=3468