Ghetto hammock stand anyone?

[Squid In The Woods]

There are no trees to be found in my backyard whatsoever and I grew tired of dog walkers, joggers, and skateboarders peering into my hammock hung by the only two trees in my front yard near the sidewalk.

So, I decided to improvise in my backyard. I couldn't spend any money so I made due with materials on hand. I also had to borrow a limb off my neighbor/buddy's tree that was growing over my fence.

I used:
1 4x4x8' post that was dug up from an old fence.

2 tie down straps from my truck

1 screw in anchor.

3 pieces of rebar about 12-14" long

1 length of rope about 25' long. It's a climbing rope I can't remember the specifics about it but it's low stretch and way strong

A couple synthetic climbing/lifting pieces. One was a dogbone and one was about a 18" loop.

I had to spend 0$ out of pocket today so I really can't complain.

Here's what I winded up with:


Here's a shot of my three way rebar stake. I really didn't want this to pull out.


Here's the screw in anchor. I think I bought this from lowes for about 6$. I wish I had two of these. I would use this instead of the rebar.


Here's a tree shot. I need to use a tree strap on the "ridge line" between the tree and post.




All in all it feels very secure and held me and my son fine. We weigh about 210lbs total. I'm looking forward to trying it out overnight this coming weekend. I definitely can forget earplugs to drown out all the central air units turning on and the F-18s flying overhead from time to time.

[raggydoo]

Hammockers will find a way. Just wondering if your fence posts are in concrete and if you've ever tried to hang from them?

[Squid In The Woods]

They're not in concrete and I wouldn't dare hang from them.

They start to bend when I pull our clothesline tight between them.



That 4x4 I'm using in the hammock stand isn't sunk into the ground at all either but it's sturdy enough from having constant and even tension from the three lines securing it.

[raggydoo]

They're not in concrete and I wouldn't dare hang from them.

They start to bend when I pull our clothesline tight between them.



That 4x4 I'm using in the hammock stand isn't sunk into the ground at all either but it's sturdy enough from having constant and even tension from the three lines securing it.

Yeah, I understand, was just curious if it would work if they were in concrete.

[Squid In The Woods]

Actually. Let me retract that statement. They in fact are in concrete. But they still bend. Being in concrete just helps them straighten out when the clothesline is taken down. Still, I would not trust them.

[Rekoob]

Nicely done.

[rubberfish]

Squid. That's funny. I do pretty much the same here. I put two 2x4s together
and use two dog screws. Admittedly they have torn out once the yard gets soaked.ham 2.jpg
The two short pieces of 2x4 are just a tripod to hold it up when the hammock isn't attached.
Other than that it just sits about 2" into the lawn.

[autolox]

squid - how does that screw in anchor do? I just saw those for the first time yesterday and they look really promising...

[Squid In The Woods]

squid - how does that screw in anchor do? I just saw those for the first time yesterday and they look really promising...

Pretty good but I suspect that is all relative to soil type. The ground in my yard is pretty dry and compact. I had to use a screwdriver as a crossbar to help me screw it in the last 6-8". I can't see it ripping out.

[autolox]

Pretty good but I suspect that is all relative to soil type. The ground in my yard is pretty dry and compact. I had to use a screwdriver as a crossbar to help me screw it in the last 6-8". I can't see it ripping out.

cool..thanks man...just "up the street" from you in Richmond...