The TurtleDog stand

**olddog** · 06-07-2015, 10:14

Originally Posted by Frank1960

Do you need to take it apart to move it?

Yes, unless you can get some extra hands to help.

**Fergulles** · 06-07-2015, 13:45

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Fergulles, I like what you have done, especially how you dealt with ends of the ridge pole.. As far as deadly with the top of the tripod. Earlier on in this thread I presented a method for attaching the three poles using an eye bolt and regular bolt. Agfadoc took that idea and tweaked it a bit in a separate three using the army supplies poles. It's a simple method hod that keeps the three poles together like your but it also allows them to be stored aligned neatly. The only thing I woul do different now is to use an eye bolt that has a complete solid circle for the eye. My original one similar to ones you are using have started to pry open after a couple of years of use.

Thanks Yojimbo!

That's absolutely the solution I was looking for. Going to do some more tinkering today.

**Frank1960** · 06-07-2015, 18:39

Originally Posted by olddog

Yes, unless you can get some extra hands to help.

was afraid of that. Oh well will set it up in right place this time I guess lol

**zukiguy** · 06-07-2015, 18:48

NICE!!

I'm happy to let you guys do the majority of the engineering on this. I'm just waiting for my mil-surplus aluminum poles to come in. For my first attempt I'm going to try and recycle some of my pool-cleaning poles I have lying around. I'm hoping to make a 3-section pole for the ridge.

So far as the method for making the attachment points I'm still trying to work out. Luckily I have access to some bored guys and a machine shop. I may get a big chunk of delrin or similar plastic and make a "socket" for the 3 poles to set into with an attachment point for the ridge pole. Unfortunately that would remove the ability to adjust the spread and therefore the height of the tripods. Please keep the great ideas coming!!!

**samjaynes** · 06-08-2015, 09:21

Wow - this thread as grown immensely. I made a turtledog stand quite a while ago (forgot which # I was on the list), and have enjoyed the stand WHEN stable. After a few uses, my hinges have bent, wood poles shift at the 'pinch' point, and actually tipped over. The tipping episode is more moving too quickly in the hammock, but I would to understand what other options are out there. I saw a post on aluminum military poles that caught my eye.

Speaking on stands - I am a scoutmaster as well, and have made a handful of hammocks for my scouts. However, trying to keep everyone close together with enough trees spaced appropriately is a pain. I would like some ideas on portable multi-hammock stands as well. PM me directly if not appropriate to add to this great post.

**Tankosl** · 06-09-2015, 02:39

[QUOTE=Fergulles;1467348]Forgive my ignorance, but I have no clue what GRP poles are...

(i'm still pretty new at all this...)

Absolutely no need to apologise..........over the other side of the water we call it GRP.....glass reinforced plastic, otherwise known as fibreglass!!!
It looks like your curved pole set up gives you much more space under the tarp........I can see a play session coming up!!!!!

**Fergulles** · 06-09-2015, 21:40

Originally Posted by Tankosl

otherwise known as fibreglass!!!

learn something new every day! Good luck!

**lxzndr** · 06-10-2015, 12:25

I thought I saw someone that made collapsible legs for their stand, they used hinges on opposite sides of each leg, removed the pin from one hinge so that the leg would then fold in half.

But I can't find it now, I would like to know how well it worked, and if they had any issues with it.

Or has someone successfully found another way to make them collapsible, maybe some other type of connector to keep the legs together that isn't really expensive. like a schedule 80 PVC connector?

The military pole system seems pretty expensive.

**Papa Tac** · 06-29-2015, 14:12

Some aluminum poles found at curbside for garbage and re-purposed with some U-bolts and a few holes drilled. I used 2 pieces of oversize tube I had on hand as a sleeve to help limit the compressive bow in the cross bar.
Folds up to fit in an old folding chair bag. Weighs somewhere just over 20 lbs. (at a guess).

TurtleDog Stand 020.jpg

TurtleDog Stand 003.jpg

TurtleDog Stand 006.jpg

Since that was so easy, I had to try again with driftwood and scavenged rope...

Turtle on the Beach 004.jpg

Turtle on the Beach 002.jpg

The aluminum stand will live in my truck, and the Driftwood TurtleLady stand has so far weathered 2 high tides. The coming springtide should take care of it.