Hammock stand: DIY or buy?

**hutzelbein** · 06-09-2011, 13:26

I'm in the market for a hammock stand to be able to sleep indoors. Initially I just wanted to buy a metal stand, but after reading a couple of reviews, I'm not sure if this is a good idea. Several reviewers mentioned that their metal stands broke and/or flexed a lot. The stands in question were not the cheapest (but not the most expensive ones either).

I would go for a wood stand, but those are a lot more expensive (and I don't know if they'll work with my WBBB), take up more room, cannot be broken down and are a lot more heavy than the metal stands.

Anybody using a metal stand (preferably for a longer time)? What are your experiences?

The alternative would be to DIY a stand. I'm not without skills, but in my experience things rarely go smooth with the first trial. I would also like to be able to break the stand down as small as possible to store it when it is not needed. I had a look at several DIY stands, but most look pretty massive and very permanent. But maybe somebody built something foldable or at least something that can be stored easily?

**ganon414** · 06-09-2011, 13:42

Have you seen turtlelady's bamboo stand? If not, here's a link:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...tlelady+bamboo

It seems to meet all of your requirements. I'm still in the process of choosing which stand to build for my indoor setup, but this one has my interest piqued.

--Tim

**hutzelbein** · 06-09-2011, 13:50

Yes, I saw the bamboo stand. Bamboo doesn't grow here, though. I also never saw it sold anywhere (not this large/thick anyway). The next problem would be the steel pipe. Maybe I can use the concept but work with materials that I can find here.

Is there a reason for using a steel pipe instead of bamboo?

The stand also looks pretty low. If I want to use it with a WBBB, I imagine I would have to build it a lot taller. Not sure if this creates stability problems.

**gmcttr** · 06-09-2011, 22:47

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

..The stand also looks pretty low. If I want to use it with a WBBB, I imagine I would have to build it a lot taller. Not sure if this creates stability problems.

You could probably just use a short suspension on the WBBB.

However, if tall is what you want, stability is not a problem...http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...9&postcount=51.

**bchboy1206** · 06-19-2011, 19:45

Originally Posted by gmcttr

You could probably just use a short suspension on the WBBB.

However, if tall is what you want, stability is not a problem...http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...9&postcount=51.

I have the WBBB 1.1 DL, the legs of my tripod are 7' tall right now. I plan on taking another 6" off them because I have to spread the legs a little too far out for my linking. The ridge pole is a 10" length of fence rail.

I am 5'5" 160# and for me the best lie is to have the ridgeline at my shoulder level. I use Prusik knots about 3" from the ends of the post and hang the BB from the web suspension right next to the adjustable rings and the ridgeline is pretty tight and when I sit in it my feet are about 2" or so off the ground.
I would post a pic but I am experiencing technical difficulties uploading right now.

Jim T

**QChan** · 06-09-2011, 13:45

+1 for the turtleladys stand, I made one and I love it, it has a realativly small footprint and has the ability to fold up tiny. You could also make it out of anything you so choose.

Plus, over all for how it looks and for something that I love, it was cheap. $120 bucks. Zero shipping cost or time.

**QChan** · 06-09-2011, 14:36

Originally Posted by QChan

You could also make it out of anything you so choose.

Turtlelady used the steel pipe because she needed to be able to take it apart and set it up(I asked her)

**hutzelbein** · 06-12-2011, 13:56

Originally Posted by QChan

Turtlelady used the steel pipe because she needed to be able to take it apart and set it up(I asked her)

That looks great - but that's not bamboo, or is it? I don't think I could get bamboo that's long and sturdy enough to hang a WBBB.

Originally Posted by gmcttr

You could probably just use a short suspension on the WBBB.

However, if tall is what you want, stability is not a problem...http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...9&postcount=51.

What material did you use? Is that wood?

I have no idea how big wood needs to be to support the necessary weights. The 2x4 stands all look way more sturdy - but I guess the difference is in the design?

OK, looks as if nobody would recommend buying a stand. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet then and build something myself.

**gmcttr** · 06-12-2011, 21:15

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

...What material did you use? Is that wood?...

Yes, it's wood. You can find more info in the turtlelady bamboo stand link, along with ideas for alternate materials.

**Pipsissewa** · 05-25-2012, 11:13

Here's my Turtle Lady stand for my every-night living room lounger. It's made with tulip poplar saplings cut from the woods around my house. I used a TV antenna mast for the for ridgepole, which is 10 feet long. I added lanterns, a power strip for the laptop and a cat hammock on the end:

This stand, unlike Turtle Lady's, was not made to break down and carry from one place to another. It has served us well for almost a year now. So, as you can see, there are many readily available, inexpensive materials you can use to make an inside stand. Good luck!