Converting to hanging with DIY bridge

[vladpack]

I've not camped with a hammock before so I decided to jump right in with making my own bridge hammock! I absorbed a ton of information on this forum and my result turned out to be very good. Wanted to share my specs and my process a little bit.

I went for bridge style because it seems very straightforward and seems to accomodate quilts and pads of simple shapes. I pulled my dimensions from reading advice here and then guessing as to what would be comfortable. The curve suspension is sewn in webbing - I considered doing amsteel but the webbing just seemed a more elegant finish for a bit of a weight penalty. Having sat in it I'm glad I went with the webbing instead of cord.

The body is made out of PolyD 1.4. The webbing terminates in loops and I attach amsteel dogbones to those loops. The spreader bars (Easton .625) simply join in the bend that the amsteel makes - again this seemed like the most straightforward and elegant solution without any hardware.

The dogbones are currently attached to a whoopie sling via a dutch bridge speed hook (no longer in actual speed hook mode due to line wear concerns) - seems to hold well.

Fabric length: 80"
Fabric width at head and foot: 48"
Curve: 8"
Head spreader bar: 36"
Foot spreader bar: 26"

My plan from here on out is to try to keep things modular and zipper free. I'm going to make a square underquilt protector out of most likely argon 90 that will attach at the spreader bars with some adjustable line. I want to experiment with placing a pad between the hammock and the UQP for the time being, but eventually get around to making some Apex quilts. The first order of business is getting a tarp made so I can take it out for a full night spin.

Having been a ground camper, lying down in the hammock was quite the experience! Comfortable, cozy, and a great view around me. I'm excited!

Weights so far:

Hammock + webbing + dogbones - 7.83oz
Whoopie slings - 1.5oz
Tree huggers - 3.6oz
Spreader bars - 8.43oz

curve.jpg
cut.jpg
sew.jpg
final.jpg

[Stogie Bum]

excellent job! looks like you're pretty comfortable.

[Ridgehanger]

Where do you get bars like these???

[Boston]

Quest Outfitter's. Aluminum tent poles. Usually the .625 or.742 size. Don't buy the economy poles, they are a different grade aluminum, and not as strong. You want the 7075 aluminum poles. These pole's are Easton Expedition poles, if you want to try and find them elsewhere, but I haven't found any place as comprehensive as Quest.

[Deathstar77]

Nice looking bridge!

[vladpack]

Quest Outfitter's. Aluminum tent poles. Usually the .625 or.742 size. Don't buy the economy poles, they are a different grade aluminum, and not as strong. You want the 7075 aluminum poles. These pole's are Easton Expedition poles, if you want to try and find them elsewhere, but I haven't found any place as comprehensive as Quest.

Those are the ones I got! I have my eye on some carbon fiber for the future (link) but the idea of something violently failing near my head scares me. Has anyone long-term used CF poles safely on a bridge?

[Ridgehanger]

Quest Outfitter's. Aluminum tent poles. Usually the .625 or.742 size. Don't buy the economy poles, they are a different grade aluminum, and not as strong. You want the 7075 aluminum poles. These pole's are Easton Expedition poles, if you want to try and find them elsewhere, but I haven't found any place as comprehensive as Quest.

Thank you I am really thinking I might try this soon