6X6 posts for hammock stand

**kitsapcowboy** · 08-15-2017, 11:47

Originally Posted by Brad32825

I just built a 10'x10' square with 4x4's, they're buried 2 feet down and I attached eye screws to the posts. I still have some finishing work to do, I'll post the link to my soon to be pergola.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...58#post1809958

To be clear, I'd wager that (at least) 95% of the time good-quality structural 4x4 posts are fine for most hammock applications; I hang off 4x4 posts regularly at home, strung between my front porcch and either a tree or another 4x4 holding up my daughter's playhouse/swing set. However, they are natural products, and like all natural products, individual units can exhibit structural variation that takes them outside of the safety limits of our expected use.

That said, just as we include substantial safety factors (typically 5:1) for hammock suspensions, 4x6 and 6x6 posts probably aren't overkill for anyone who decides to use them, especially when planing for contingencies like tandem hanging between the same two posts. They are just a prudent option that keeps you covered under virtually all "what if" scenarios.

In the case of a square pergola made from 4x4s -- much like my front porch -- those horizontal cross-braces dramatically increase the strength and stability of a 4x4 post bearing loads along the vectors typically associated with hammock applications, and I wouldn't have any qualms about such structures under typical kinds of use.

**Smokeum** · 08-15-2017, 13:15

I ran 4"x6"x10' pressure treated beams, 3 feet in the ground leaving me 7' for more than the proper height. I'm about 17' across and I attached Keeper D-rings for my carabiners, but a guy here wrote about the track he installed for an indoor hang which I might use for the outdoor. 6x6x12 is overkill

**Brad32825** · 08-15-2017, 13:29

kitsapcowboy--thanks for the elaboration, I was shocked to hear, in my other post, that some 4x4's had failed...I then edited my previous post about the over kill. I thought they were much stronger and can understand how 6x6's wouldn't be overkill. I'm very happy to hear that the horizontal braces will help strengthen my set up. I was getting pretty worried about it. Thanks again.

**kitsapcowboy** · 08-15-2017, 13:45

Originally Posted by Brad32825

kitsapcowboy--thanks for the elaboration, I was shocked to hear, in my other post, that some 4x4's had failed...I then edited my previous post about the over kill. I thought they were much stronger and can understand how 6x6's wouldn't be overkill. I'm very happy to hear that the horizontal braces will help strengthen my set up. I was getting pretty worried about it. Thanks again.

No problem. FWIW, I think your square pergola looks very useful and is an elegantly simple and straightforward way to get a lot of good hanging space in a small footprint with a very efficient list of materials. Those Simpson Strong-Ties are awesome for this kind of post-and-beam construction. Well done.

**LuvmyBonnet** · 08-15-2017, 17:31

Originally Posted by Smokeum

6x6x12 is overkill

Not at all. I'll be using a Smokehouse tarp in the winter. The strap system it uses requires quite a bit of pressure, waaaayyyy more than a regular tarp. Add that with the tarp with snow weight on it, well that some force on the posts.
I would also need longer posts than you because my frost line is quite a bit deeper than your's.

**LuvmyBonnet** · 08-16-2017, 08:59

So I'm leaning toward 16ft wide. I was thinking about sanding the corners down a bit so it's not so harsh on the strap and painting with a UV varnish. I won't be using a cross beam and don't think I will be angling my posts either. Hopefully Home Depot will have some that don't have large knots. If not I may have to find a lumber yard.
Any suggestions on keeping those big heavy 6x6's straight will the cement set?

**TrailSlug** · 08-16-2017, 09:09

Originally Posted by LuvmyBonnet

So I'm leaning toward 16ft wide. I was thinking about sanding the corners down a bit so it's not so harsh on the strap and painting with a UV varnish. I won't be using a cross beam and don't think I will be angling my posts either. Hopefully Home Depot will have some that don't have large knots. If not I may have to find a lumber yard.
Any suggestions on keeping those big heavy 6x6's straight will the cement set?

Good choices. A few knots in a 6x6 isn't going to affect their holding power like a 4x4. Grab a couple of 2x4's and cut them in half and put one nail in the 2x4 into the 6x6 and nail the other end to a stake once you get this 6x6's level. Do this in two directions and it'll hold till they set up. Like in this picture.
http://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-cont...com-2-of-6.jpg

**dkurfiss** · 08-16-2017, 09:13

When I built my back porch one corner is a 6x6 (square) post. 17' away is a nice oak tree. That is where I hang at when I am in Fl. 6x6 is set 4 foot deep, tamped in with gravel and sac create. Did I need to go 4' deep? Maybe not but since it will be holding a roof and my hammock I wanted to be sure.

I have a 1" set of tree huggers that I use only on the square post, this will be their 3rd winter and I just checked them for wear. None found.

In NW Ohio, where we are building a retirement home at, the frost line is 36' +/-. I will be sitting a 6x6 same 4 foot deep up there.

Perhaps it is over build but for me, better overbuild than pick my butt up off the ground

**LuvmyBonnet** · 08-16-2017, 09:31

Originally Posted by dkurfiss

Perhaps it is over build but for me, better overbuild than pick my butt up off the ground

That's what I was thinking. I don't need anymore titanium in me!

**Floridahanger** · 08-16-2017, 09:44

I would think for a 6x6 without a top rail, this would be a minimum standard for safety where a 4x4 is pushing your luck. That said, with a top rail, a 4x4 would be fine.

As far as overkill, a 6x6 post would be a small diameter tree so I don't think in this respect that it's overkill.