Video : The Making of a GrizzBridge (part 1)

**Old River Rat** · 04-25-2011, 05:34

I have to say that this is the most interesting video I have ever watched!

**Shug** · 04-25-2011, 10:27

Hey Grizz.....you know I love academic-talk.
Now I know I will never sew a bridge (since I have a GrizzBridge) but I do like to see the build.
Shug the Impressed

**SwampSloth** · 04-25-2011, 10:41

I love watching Grizz videos. IQ points ooze from his pores. Listening to him try to 'dumb it down' for us to understand is so amusing. This place is full of wonderfully unique intriguing people. Looking forward to more installments.

**outkastblast** · 04-25-2011, 15:53

Thanks, Grizz! You've helped me immensely already, but seeing your fabric origami illustrated just how much I was over-thinking the first cuts.

**GaHammockGuy** · 05-02-2011, 10:05

Grizz

I love your videos. Your instructions are top-notch and I learn a lot.

One question about the bridge hammock:
What are the binifits of a bridge verses a gathered-end hammock?

It looks like that you will lay flat EVERY TIME, instead of finding that "sweet spot", but are there any other advantages to the bridge style hammock?

Thanks again for the videos...

**tight-wad** · 05-06-2011, 18:32

Grizz –

GREAT series!!!

Forgive me if I missed it in one of your videos, but can you give some pros and cons for having a different width for the head and foot ends of a bridge hammock? I don’t imagine it is purely for the weight savings of having less fabric on the foot end because that would be minuscule. So there must be a comfort issue?

tight-wad

**GrizzlyAdams** · 05-08-2011, 11:07

Originally Posted by tight-wad

Grizz –

GREAT series!!!

Forgive me if I missed it in one of your videos, but can you give some pros and cons for having a different width for the head and foot ends of a bridge hammock? I don’t imagine it is purely for the weight savings of having less fabric on the foot end because that would be minuscule. So there must be a comfort issue?

tight-wad

Hey tight-wad, I've been off adventuring and didn't see this question until now.

Two pros for a narrow foot end. First, it lessens the problem of spreader bars interfering with the tarp. In windy conditions I like to point the foot end of my hammock (any hammock) into the wind and put a beak on that end of the tarp. A narrower foot lets one close the sides in a little more at the foot, get a little more coverage lower. Second, a narrower foot seems to offer more resistance to the hammock rotating on the axis between apex of suspension triangle. I think it has to do with mis-matching the angular moments of enertia but I don't do enough statics to be sure of that prognosis.

One con is that the hammock becomes narrower and it is harder to bring your knees up.

In the various GBs I've made the foot end has ranged from 24" to 36". I now think a good compromise between the pros and cons is in the 26"-30" range.

**Fronkey** · 02-22-2012, 22:05

I want one!

Kiba will be going with me on hikes from now on because she is finally old enough for long multi-day hikes and I am thinking a bridge hammock may be more comfortable for her than a gathered end.

If I heard correctly you were using "supplex nylon" for your fabric. Is that suggested as the type of fabric to use or can I use good old fashion ripstop?

Fronkey

**GrizzlyAdams** · 02-22-2012, 22:47

Originally Posted by Fronkey

I want one!

Kiba will be going with me on hikes from now on because she is finally old enough for long multi-day hikes and I am thinking a bridge hammock may be more comfortable for her than a gathered end.

If I heard correctly you were using "supplex nylon" for your fabric. Is that suggested as the type of fabric to use or can I use good old fashion ripstop?

Fronkey

ripstop is fine. I've made them from both 1.9 oz / yd^2 and 1.1 oz /yd^2 ripstop nylong. The latter (obviously) for someone who was lighter (160 lbs) and interested in a very lightweight hammock.

You could make one long enough for her to curl up at the foot.
My current (and as yet undocumented) design pulls the spreader bars closer in to have their spread be more effective where needed, which necessitates some hammock body beyond the bar, suspended on the suspension triangle. That area could be engineered to drop a little, creating a small dog sized pocket.

I can send some pictures if interested.

**Fronkey** · 02-22-2012, 22:58

That is exactly what I was thinking with having her lay by my feet than basically on top of me. lol

The weight limit would have to be closer to the 200ib mark as she adds an additional 22 pounds.

Pictures would be awesome! Thanks so much Grizz.

I am really intrigued with the dog sized pocket idea too.

Fronkey