DIY Camping Hammock

This instructable features how to make a "Do It Yourself" Camping Hammock- (This is my first instructable, so bear with me...)

Step 1 Materials Needed

Materials Needed:
1.) Large peice of ripstop nylon - 3 & 2/3 yards - You can get this at most sewing stores: JoAnns, Michaels, even Walmart (if they have a sewing section).
2.) Sewing machine
3.) Paracord( any type of rope will do, as long as it will hold your weight. I prefer paracord for it's size and weight capacity). The length of the cord will depend on how far apart the trees you hang the hammock from are.
4.) 2 carabeeners or other type of clip, which must be able to hold your weight as well.

A.)  I have also seen people make hammocks out of bed sheets( perferrabley large ones)

Comments

[hammockguy]

I've heard about wrapping the sleeping bag around the hammock instead of using a pad. That way your not crushing the insulation in the sleeping bag. Has anyone tried this?

[lerickson]

I believe thast is a called an underquilt. you can make them yourself and it is a very efficient way to stay warm.

[milamber]

does anyone know if an old fly sheet would be strong enough??

[50-50]

fly screen works great for this.
it has a special weave that stops ripps.

[sokamiwohali]

possibly but not likely. rain flies are not made for weight bearing, BUT its worth a try. why dont you make an IBLE trying this out?

[matmore74]

Okey all, great things were said, But Nylon webbing works the best and paracord 550 type. Go to www.hammockforums.net or go to www.tothewoods.com you will see what I am talking about..

[hiddenartist]

briarwalker: I used much of your design to make a hammock for camping. It was great! so simple and so cheep compared to "store bought".
Bought the ripstop nylon at Joanne's on sales and with a coupon! I already had a pile of para cord. Then I recycled a set of webbed boat straps, (The straps no longer worked with my kayak or car.) Wha La.. a very comfortable and secure hammock. I will likely make a couple and give them to brothers and sisters for Christmas. Thank you!

Does any one have any ideas about other synthetics that are available that would serve the same purpose? I think it would be fun to do some stripes!
Again, thank you!

[lerickson]

Also when I had hung the hammock from these trees they were over 20 ft apart so it really strched it out like you see but if you find trees fifteen feet apart then it will be much easier to lay in at angles.

[Myklknife]

I built a hammock like this a few years ago and just decided to try using paracord (for pack size and weight considerations) instead of the nylon webbing I normally use. Never knew paracord was that stretchy. I tied the thing 7ft off the ground and it still stretched to the ground... If I preshrink the paracord do you think it will stretch less?

[lerickson]

I dont really know. Paracord is built to be strechy and to make it non strechy would probley hinder the strength somehow.

[Myklknife]

Alright I just tried my washed paracord and it still held my weight (180lbs) just find and stretched far less.

[lerickson]

thats awesome that worked ill have to try it sometime

[Myklknife]

Perhaps... I don't know how much damage washing it would do though. I gave it a try anyway, I'll string it up later in the week to see how it works

[KravenTheHunter]

sun damage is really the only thing you need to worry about with 550 cord. washing it shouldn't harm it at all, provided you dry it thoroughly enough to keep it from mildewing.

[rentman]

Perhaps you could add a cross-bar to keep the hammock open. otherwise good design!

[Myklknife]

personally, I'm not a fan of stays to keep the hammock open when I sleep in one. the cocoon effect keeps you from rolling out if you toss and turn a lot.

[brickman93]

yea, just get a thin aluminun rod and do a cobra stitch with paracord to pad it. thats my plan!

[lerickson]

I was origanly thinking getting some rope and attaching to hammock and steaking into ground but thats a realy good idea.

[lerickson]

Great Idea! When I ended up camping in it the trees were much closer together and it was much more open ( specially if I laid in it at an angle)

[walloon]

What type of ripstop nylon did you use? I just want to make sure the fabric is strong enough to hold an adult. Would any style of ripstop work?
I'm just having a *really* hard time finding the fabric that can work. I've tried all the usual fabric stores but they aren't sure if the fabric can hold the weight.
Any advice anyone?
Great instructable! keep it up!

[lerickson]

The nylon I used was a regular ripstop nylon I got at Joannes. I was very skeptical about a very thin piece of fabric holding my weight, but it seems to work. I have had mulitple people sit on it at once and it didnt break.

[walloon]

I was skeptical as well. But, if all else fails, try try again. I bought some fabric at joannes as well, gonna give it a try myself. Cheers!

[Pointy Cactus24]

i really like it but the funny thing is, the way he's laying in the hammock make is look like some sort bizarre coffin. but i guess that adds to some sort of effect, but idk what kind, however.

[lerickson]

Back then I really had never slept in a hammock before... You would ussually sleep in a hammock this style where you body is at a 45 degree angle to the treee- allowing for maximum flatness.

[LuminousObject]

Hey, how wide is the fabric that you're using? Great Instuctable too!

[lerickson]

it is 5ft wide which is 58 in. wide by 9ft long. the width is the width of the role of fabvric at the store.

[eddems]

I learned about hammocks from soldiers in the Viet Nam War. They copied them from green Berets. My first one was a failure. I think this one might be too. The hammock needs to be 7 plus feet long. But the really important thing is to arch the ends where the rope goes. Abut 3 inches is nice. This keeps the sides of the hammock up so that you are cradled by it. Otherwise, there will be a tendency to fall out of it.

[lancealotx21]

I dont know dude the way I did it seems fine so me I have camped in it multiple times and I have never fallen out even in my sleep.

[mikesnyd]

Arch goes in what direction? Does it go into the rectangle or out of the rectangle? I was thinking about it and maybe adding a couple of twists in the rope might stop it from flipping. Both leads to the tree are twisted maybe four or five times. More depending on how long they are.

[eddems]

the ends of the hammock where the rope goes should have some arch to it. The hammock will cradle you then.

[misteravocado5]

DId you mean to put 7 of the same picture on this step? Great instructable by the way.

[lerickson]

no I'll have to change that- woops

[trupeteater]

Great instructable, instead of paracord you can use Amsteel-Blue, its extremely light weight and strong, not to mention cheap. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_38088_-1?cid=chanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=38088 You can also make a Whoopie Sling to make easy adjusting of the rope length http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9349&highlight=whoopie+sling

[Fredock]

i don't quite understand the last step... what do you mean by: You don't have to do it this way you can whip the ends of the hammock and the benefit from this is that based upon the way you whip the ends it will change the way the hammock lays when you are in it. (what is a whip?)

[TheCaptain]

To whip a fraying rope means to tie a smaller piece of string around the end, sealing in all the fraying fibers. Sort of like how that little piece of plastic holds the end of a shoe-lace together.

[lerickson]

Do you know when rope frays and if it is synthetic you can melt it to stop the fraying? Well if it is not synthetic rope then you have tto whip the ends of the rope. There are many other resources that can show you how to whip the hammock- here is one http://www.imrisk.com/hammockwhipping/hammockwhipping.htm this will show you how to do it

[madmonky13]

doesnt it roll and you end up upside down???

[lerickson]

No it doesnt your wieght keeps it balanced

[dumnonni]

to make certain that water doesnt run down the rope into the hammock, i normally use a carrabiner to connect the rope to the hammock. nide and dry :D

[lerickson]

Yes , Right know instead on using the rope you see I made some tree straps and have o ring on them this keeps the rain from running onto the hammock