For my initial test I did not want to damage the EMT, so I could return it if necessary. I experienced the exact same issue. The lashings at the top slipped and it did not work at all. That is why I drilled it and went with the bolt. I like this much better than the floppy loose ends of the commercial design. The issue you can run into with using bolts everywhere is you will bind and cause large bending forces in the structure. Thus one joint or the other needs the freedom to twist, turn, and rotate. I bolted the top and that joint is not firm, secure and fixed. Now the slipping of the lashing is an advantage. The poles are free to rotate, turn and twist within the lashing, thus the bolts do not bind. The lashing at the ground joint does not slip up or down the pole because the poles are engaged with the ground. After several set-ups take-downs and several afternoons using it, I have found no issues with the ground joint lashing. But, yes a lashing at the top end does not work.
Also, hanging the hammock is super easy with a dogbone or soft shackle. The little nylon spacer is the key.
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