The TurtleDog stand

[caddisman]

I built my turtledog yesterday afternoon with only running into a few minor issues (3/8" bolts were not the right size for my 5" hinges, So had to make a few trips to get the right size bolts. I can successfully say I completed it and while testing in my hallway early last night was so tired I fell asleep in it and woke up at 4am. Cant wait to get it adjusted to get the best hang possible.

[hppyfngy]

I call that success!

[Billiard Pete]

Does anyone use one with a XLC WBBB? Just curious about the length and height (to accommodate for the foot end being 6 - 12" higher than the foot end.

[hppyfngy]

I don't, but the simple answer is to see what you need to hang it in trees and make stands to mimic that.

And the best advice is to make it too big, and cut it down as you realize what you need.

[BillyBob58]

Wondering if someone could weigh in on this concept and how it works as I'm thinking of cutting my crossbar in sections like explained in another forum post?

The end result is four pieces:

4'
6' 3" (with 3" tapered end for connecting)
6'
4' 3" (with 3" tapered end for connecting)"

Here's a close-up for reference:

Are Y'all using the regular fence top rails? When I made my original Risk stand back in 06 or 07, I felt the 10 ft top rail needed to be longer, so I got another pole, swagged it and had about 12 or 13 feet. It didn't take long for it to bend at the joint and almost dump me, I was about 205 lbs. When I made my next stand, I got a slightly larger diameter fence post- maybe it was the upright? - and cut it down to a few feet and placed it over the top rail at the joint. I used that for years with zero problems. Also, some sort of internal dowel would do as well.

[Chigger]

Wondering if someone could weigh in on this concept and how it works as I'm thinking of cutting my crossbar in sections like explained in another forum post?

The end result is four pieces:

4'
6' 3" (with 3" tapered end for connecting)
6'
4' 3" (with 3" tapered end for connecting)"

I have my rail cut in pieces to fit in a small truck bed and have no problem with it when hanging. I have one rail that is still 10 feet to keep at home and I just add a 4'6" piece to it for a large hammock.

[hppyfngy]

Are Y'all using the regular fence top rails? When I made my original Risk stand back in 06 or 07, I felt the 10 ft top rail needed to be longer, so I got another pole, swagged it and had about 12 or 13 feet. It didn't take long for it to bend at the joint and almost dump me, I was about 205 lbs. When I made my next stand, I got a slightly larger diameter fence post- maybe it was the upright? - and cut it down to a few feet and placed it over the top rail at the joint. I used that for years with zero problems. Also, some sort of internal dowel would do as well.

Yes, BBob. It's the standard 1-3/8" chain link fence top rail. Pre-swaged on one end. To get longer than the 10'6" standard length, many are buying two pieces, cutting them into two each, and piecing together to get the length needed for the given hammock.

If you hang directly from the suspension points, there is almost no upward or downward stress on the ridge pole, so bending isn't an issue now that we've figured that out. I'm using one that's made of 1" conduit, with no issues at all.

[BillyBob58]

I was hanging from the 2X4 uprights, which then pressed inward on the top rail. There was zero downward pressure on the bars, it was all inward or horizontal. I'm surprised this hasn't happened to someone here with so many folks doing this, probably some heavier than me. Maybe I had some sort of defect in one of my bars? I know I was surprised when it happened. I then hung from 2X4 uprights with a top rail taking all of the load for many years with no apparent bending, but like I said, I had a short piece of larger diameter fence post around the joint.

I was using this bad boy:


If you look close, you can see the fatter bar around the top rail joint. It may or may not have bent again without the extra paranoia bar.

[novascotia-hanger]

hppyfngy, did you say 1 inch conduit? Do you mean pvc? Any pics? IS it multiple pieces?

Thanks

[MAD777]

hppyfngy, did you say 1 inch conduit? Do you mean pvc? Any pics? IS it multiple pieces?

Thanks

That's 1" electrical conduit. It's metal. Home Depot, etc.