The Spurtle Stand

[Willfcc]

I built a hammock stand today by combining the Speer-type pipe stand with the top rail of the Turtlelady stand, so decided to name it by combining the two names: Sp(eer/T)urtle(lady).



Elbow fittings with wire lock pins attach the three piece top rail to the vertical members. The wire lock pins also serve as the hang points, which are 11' 4" apart.




The top rail is three 48" pieces (two with swaged ends), held together with spring buttons.



The tees take a 48" piece each for the "feet", and the vertical members are 57".



I based dimensions on my hammockbliss single and rain fly. The fly is tied around the vertical members, but the eyebolts in the elbow fittings give multiple positions that keep it from sliding down.



All together, there are five 48" tubes, two 57" tubes and four fittings. When broken down, the tubes make a package just over 4" in diameter and 57" long (small enough to fit under the seat of my VW Bus). I used three fence rails, and had one 21" piece left over (one of the vertical members is actually two pieces).
It weighs about 32 pounds, and materials cost about $65 (plus $23 shipping for the canopy fittings and other fasteners).

Will

[emigrant1]

That's spiffy! Does it feel rock steady?

[Willfcc]

I wouldn't call it "rock" steady, but the canopy fittings definitely add stiffness. I've never hung from a Speer-type stand, but I have worked with the pipe and fittings, and I think this is probably stiffer.

[JKDmoo]

Nice, do you have a picture of it broken down?

[oldgringo]

Nicely done. What are those bushings on the lock pins? Are spring buttons something you can buy/install? This is a new one on me. What is your source for the canopy fittings?

[Yojimbo]

Very clean and simple. The name is catchy too. It seems a bummer that both vertical poles couldn't be two sections. It would be nice to make a 4' carry bag. I guess you could buy a 4th pole but then there would be more left over.

[Acer]

nice stand. If your near a Army Surplus Store, they have a 4ft bag for their tent poles that would work for your storage bag. about 20-25 bucks and heavy duty water proof even.

[Willfcc]

Here's a list of the parts used:

• Two Steel Pin with Wire Lock McMaster 98416A223 $4.64
• One Pack Quick-Release Button Connector McMaster 94282A170 $7.35
• Two Tee Fittings Tarps.com 1 3/8 Closed T Horizontal Pipe slides through $11.00
• Two Elbow Fittings Tarps.com 1 3/8 Open L One pipe slides through $10.00
• Three Chain Link Fence Top Rail Home Depot 1 3/8 x 10' 6" $33.93
  Material Total $66.92
  Shipping $22.99
  Total $89.91

I'll try to break it down and take a picture tonight.

The bushings on the lock pins are just 3/8" I.D. urethane tubing. I was going to use aluminum tube, but minimum purchase from the Depot was 36" for $11, and I only need about 2". It's sole purpose is to keep the pin centered.

The spring buttons are the "quick-release button connectors" in the above list. Same button you find in tent poles.

I looked at making all the pieces 48", requiring purchasing another top rail. The leftover pieces added up to 12.5 feet. Plenty of spares for adjusting height and length to dial things in or just make the stand a little bigger.

[jbritely]

Very nice. So you drilled the elbows for the pins?

[Willfcc]

Yep. It locks the top rail in place vs. the threaded coupling used in Speer version.