First, it needs a better name. A while back, a Redditor named sbharnish showed a nifty free-standing stand that he called a four-legged tensahedron (https://www.reddit.com/r/Hammocks/co...edron_stand/):
Raftingtigger quickly showed that Tensa4 could be configured similarly:
The lack of fixed connection at the crossing points, the considerable tension adjustments required, and the high step-over points of the light construction seemed to me areas for improvement. Ever since I’ve wanted to build similar in lumber, with pinned spars, and now I have, simplifying further. I started with 4 reclaimed 10’ old-growth 2x4”s ($5.25 ea) and a handful of galvanized hardware. About an hour later I had a very solid, folding, free-standing hammock stand. I’ll probably put this on the Tensa Outdoor blog after I sand and varnish the century-old wood, and the weather improves for better photos, and come up with a name, but you can see how simple it is.
First I arranged for 70” rise over an 11’ span. After the lean (~6’ base) that gives 60” high hang points:
That put the cross point at 37.5”, which I drilled out, and also all the ends:
Bolted together:
Here we go. I also bound the base, threading webbing through the holes in a Z form, with a cinch to set the base width and thus the seat height. Please note that binding the base as well as having a ridgeline is important for safety. Without these securely in place to immobilize the hinges, those become pinch hazards that could "do a tremendous number" on any caught body parts!
Sorry about the boots. This is a 12’ hammock.
Then I just folded up and tucked away until sand and varnish day:
I don’t think I’ve seen a simpler free-standing design (fewer elements, cheaper). Have you?
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