New Hammock Stand - sort of a hybrid...

**Timberrr** · 07-04-2014, 17:34

Borrowing ideas from many (as usual) we've come up with a modified hammock stand that I haven't really seen before. Notice that there's nothing over you or under you.

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I've seen braced uprights before, but we removed the cross footers and used an A-frame approach to make it more stable and to eliminate the footers and braces underneath the hammock.

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This is a better shot of the A-frame and it shows the strap hinges on the braces. By putting the hinge on top of the brace the forces are pusing into the hinge rather than trying to pull it off. That means you don't need a super heavy-duty strap hinge. Hinging the brace allows the uprights to be moved in or out to accommodate different set ups.

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This shows where the brace attaches to the footer. The inside hole puts the hammock attachment points 10' apart, then 11' and 12'. The wing nuts make it easy to take apart so you can adjust it or to pack it up.

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I used a door hinge rather than a box hinge at the peak, because door hinges have rounded corners and removable pins. The pin was replaced with an eye bolt for easy hammock and ridgeline attachment.

So... what do y'all think?

**Timberrr** · 07-04-2014, 17:42

Learnings:

1. As expected, a spread-limiter is needed if you're setting up on a smooth surface. And it's probably advisable all the time. A simple piece of line would suffice.
2. This thing is waaayyy over built. Instead of all 2x4s, the footer and the braces could have been 2x3 if not 2x2. The uprights take all the forces so I would probably stay with 2x4s there. Obviously smaller materials would save money as well as weight. On the other hand, for my brothers coming in north of 300 who think they're too big for a portable hammock stand - I've got good news! I'm not an engineer and I don't have the means or inclination to test this until it fails, but I'm pretty sure it will hold you.
3. Getting the angles to cooperate is frustrating. Measure twice (or five times) cut once.
4. Total cost right at $40 from Lowes.

**gmcttr** · 07-04-2014, 19:35

Very nice.

There have been a few examples of the hinged "A frame" design posted in the past.

**Timberrr** · 07-04-2014, 20:18

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Very nice.

There have been a few examples of the hinged "A frame" design posted in the past.

There ya go...
Great minds think ahead of mine.

**old4hats** · 07-05-2014, 06:40

I like this, look forward to seeing them in action.

**hutzelbein** · 07-05-2014, 06:53

Have a look at this Austrian hammock stand. It looks similar to your design but can be folded.

**richtorfla** · 07-05-2014, 07:14

I think y'all did a great job! Keeping it all 2x4's made it simple. Doesn't look to me there are any buckling points. I don't think I saw the length of the bottom runners. Are they 8 footers? And this design can be modified to add longer runners for the longer gathered end and bridge hammocks that need more than 10 feet.

Yep! Mighty fine job!

**TimberbeastWaco** · 07-05-2014, 07:58

I think you did a good job on this one. after looking through the net for two days at various stands this looks like the best DIY stand I have seen, easy up/down. I wounder about the spreader restrictions? one thought on that, you might try cable U bolts on the bottom to hook a line to or run heavy tent stakes through them into the ground to limit spreader movement. I see your a good mechanic with left over parts. Good Job.
Timber