Assembling a hammock stand from a www.hammocks.com hardware only kit.

**JPC** · 07-18-2009, 08:52

Should I go with the 8 foot center beam or the 10 foot center beam for the Blackbird?

**Clumseybear** · 07-20-2009, 17:44

Thanks for the video and tips. I just ordered the kit. I can't beleive they are selling this for such a great price. My husband keeps asking where in our treeless yard would I like for him to install some kind of stand. I keep telling him I don't want something permanent and I will let him know when I find the stand I want. Well guess what? I think I have found it. Can't go wrong for $20.00 plus a few 4 x 4's. Thanks again for the video. I may even be able to put it together myself.

**Knotty** · 07-20-2009, 17:52

Originally Posted by JPC

Should I go with the 8 foot center beam or the 10 foot center beam for the Blackbird?

I used a 10' center beam and it resulted in a spread of about 15'5" at the top of the uprights.

It turns out my HH Explorer doesn't need that much, so I'm probably going to take 2' off the center beam reducing the spread by 2' as well. Not familiar with the BB's dimensions.

Originally Posted by Clumseybear

Thanks for the video and tips. I just ordered the kit. I can't beleive they are selling this for such a great price. My husband keeps asking where in our treeless yard would I like for him to install some kind of stand. I keep telling him I don't want something permanent and I will let him know when I find the stand I want. Well guess what? I think I have found it. Can't go wrong for $20.00 plus a few 4 x 4's. Thanks again for the video. I may even be able to put it together myself.

Just be aware that the stand is BIG. It's a major presence in the yard.

**gargoyle** · 07-20-2009, 18:07

Knotty, could it be possible to use 2 x4's instead of 4 x 4's, just double up a short piece of 2x4 at the brackets? this would reduce weight, just wondering structurally if it would be enough. Alot of stands have been made from 2x4's. And this would allow for a splice connection at the main center beam, allowing for car transport. ??? I've seen rev's video, and thought this might be an alternative way to go.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-20-2009, 18:07

Originally Posted by Knotty

Just be aware that the stand is BIG. It's a major presence in the yard.

You should see it inside..... BIG Behemoth.

**TeeDee** · 07-20-2009, 19:21

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Knotty, could it be possible to use 2 x4's instead of 4 x 4's, just double up a short piece of 2x4 at the brackets? this would reduce weight, just wondering structurally if it would be enough. Alot of stands have been made from 2x4's. And this would allow for a splice connection at the main center beam, allowing for car transport. ??? I've seen rev's video, and thought this might be an alternative way to go.

2"x4" don't work in my experience. YMMV

Had 2"x4" uprights in a risk style stand. After about 9 months daily use, the 2"x4" uprights were no longer straight, but were bending from the forces. I figured another 9 months and they would bend badly out of shape. Note the 2"x4" uprights were oriented such that the 4" dimension was parallel with the hammock. They bent in the 2" dimension, perpendicular to the forces applied.

Re-made stand using 4"x4" uprights and a fence rail from top to top.

Working very well.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-20-2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Knotty, could it be possible to use 2 x4's instead of 4 x 4's, just double up a short piece of 2x4 at the brackets? this would reduce weight, just wondering structurally if it would be enough. Alot of stands have been made from 2x4's. And this would allow for a splice connection at the main center beam, allowing for car transport. ??? I've seen rev's video, and thought this might be an alternative way to go.

This would be a very bad idea if you extend the hieght of the supports over about 3 feet. 2 x 4 does not have the structural integrity to withstand the forces. When I was building platforming a major support was required every two feet to make the platform strong enough to support a persons weight. To change the plans in that way would be extremely risky and very unadvisable in my opinion.

**UncleMJM** · 07-20-2009, 22:46

Add one more who placed the order thanks to Rev's video. Thanks for letting those of us with no sales resistance know about one more thing we all need.

**Knotty** · 07-21-2009, 10:13

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Knotty, could it be possible to use 2 x4's instead of 4 x 4's, just double up a short piece of 2x4 at the brackets? this would reduce weight, just wondering structurally if it would be enough. Alot of stands have been made from 2x4's. And this would allow for a splice connection at the main center beam, allowing for car transport. ??? I've seen rev's video, and thought this might be an alternative way to go.

Because of the way this stand uses brackets, I don't think that would work. Other 2x4 stands have the bracing for the verticals. With the brackets all the strain would be focused there.

That said, the 4x4s seem to make this thing way overbuilt.

**wildmike4** · 07-21-2009, 12:25

Oh Man ... been gone for just a bit and now I start catching up and find this thread ... and I even had 20 bucks in the play funds ... well ... I did have 20 bucks there.

I've also got to write up a trip report. Canoebie took myself, 4 boys scouts and another adult on a week long canoe trip down the Manistee river. He even had an extra hammock for Jared (the other adult) ... heh heh ... hooked another one !

Anyways thanks for the link to the kit !
Mike