Just finished my DIY Hammock Stand

**jjthedog** · 04-06-2011, 00:24

Stopped by Home Depot on the way home tonight and bought some 2x4s to build my first hammock stand. Finished and did a test hang, and I'm pleased to report that it works beautifully! I know it was dark out, but I couldn't resist taking some pictures and sharing.

**chickenwing** · 04-06-2011, 00:26

Very nice set-up you have there. If you don't mind, what was the total cost?

**ChrisH** · 04-06-2011, 00:37

I built one similar to that but with 2x3's and 2x4's. Cost was only $32 and change and it works great!

**JohnSawyer** · 04-06-2011, 00:50

Very nice. I like the double 2x4 uprights and center diagonal support. Looks very stable.

**MrClean417** · 04-06-2011, 05:58

You wouldn't happen to have some general measurements on that would ya?

**jjthedog** · 04-06-2011, 09:05

I used 8 - 2'x4'x8' pressure treated. The bottom rails are 8'. The feet are 4'. the diagonal supports are 4'. The uprights measure 6' high from the ground. I used the cut offs from the four uprights for the various blocks between the 2x4's. 2 eyebolts rated at 325 pounds each. And 1/2" bolts with washers to hold everything together. And a few decking screws to hold things in place during assembly. I tried to make it as easy as possible by using the 2x4 as is or just cutting them in half. Distance between the two eyebolts is 155". Total cost = $47. I'll try and get a few more measurements later.

**Knotty** · 04-06-2011, 10:59

Nice design. Looks good and strong!

**Privateer** · 04-06-2011, 19:45

Would this work for a hammock with a spreader bar? I have an HH and usually set up between two trees in the back yard. Been looking at this type of stand and will build one soon, but wanted to know how versatile it is - want something a) portable, b) easy to build, c) usable with both "gathered end" hammocks and spreader bar hammocks..

**jjthedog** · 04-06-2011, 20:42

I don't have any experience with spreader bar hammocks, but I would assume it will work. Maybe someone with more knowledge will answer that better for you. I can tell you it was easy to build. Like I said, most sections were used as is or cut in half. Hardest part is getting the angles of the uprights. Mine are set at about 122*, so that the height from the ground up to the top of the uprights is 6'. It is fairly heavy. Don't know how portable you want it. One person could easily drag it around the yard and two people could carry it anywhere. It's too cumbersome for one person to carry safely. Because it's bolted together, I suppose you could always dismantle it for transportation purposes.

**Privateer** · 04-07-2011, 06:29

Thanks for the quick reply JJ.

My big question is does the spreader bar hammocks exert more force on uprights than the "gathered end" (single point) ones. Appreciate you opening your thread to the question, but don't wanna highjack the topic - I'll start a new thread, I'm sure someone out there knows.

"Portable" in my case would mean - dismantle it when needed and store it under the back porch or garage, or throw it in the truck and set it up at a basecamp for wife (she's not a hiker/tree hanger, but likes the hammock at basecamp).

Had a steel tube store bought stand, easy to dismantle and transport, but now the tubes are fused together with rust, can't take it apart anymore, and the rust also means it's very near the useful life.

Your idea here could fit all the needs if it could hold a spreader hammock because that's what it will support most of the time, except if I want to play/practice with my HHs in backyard.

Saw TrailH4x's 2x4 PHS and like it very much. Only thing is it calls for a notch in the uprights and I'm wondering if this reduces strength of upright, although by looking at forum posts no one reported a problem and this is a very successful design.

Anyway, Great job!