Hammocks are great fun. When out hiking or backpacking, it's a great feeling to take a quick nap suspended in air above the sharp rocks, on a steep slope, or even over a stream (yes, I've done all these). Plus, they're an excellent way to relax on a lazy summer day in your backyard.
But hammocks either cost money or take time and effort to make. There are a number of solutions to this problem – here's one possible method. This design can be done in an hour for around $10. This would make a great scouting project. If you want a compact, easy-to-build, cheap design, then read on.
And don't forget to vote for me in the paracord contest!
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The following materials should be readily available in your local community.
1 piece of fabric, 9 feet in length. You can either buy it at your local Wally-World (look at the bargain material at $1.50 a yard) or you can use a bedsheet. Fabric strength is not really an issue, so pick whatever material you like best, provided it's at least 48” in width (60” pieces are more comfortable). I prefer non-stretchy fabric, but feel free to experiment.
2 carabiners. I found these at my local Home Depot at a dollar apiece. They say they are rated for 150 lbs. While I wouldn't trust them with my life, they hold up just fine for suspending me a few feet off the ground. If you'd prefer something beefier, try stainless steel quick links. They weigh more, but are rated to much higher safe working loads.
35-45 feet of paracord. I know I'm going to get some flak for this one, but in my experience this stuff is strong enough for the way I use it. If you don't feel comfortable trusting your weight to 550 cord, climbing rope can be substituted.
Additionally, you'll need a pair of scissors or knife, and a lighter (optional).
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one question though. how small does it fold/roll up into ? (just roughly because i know material thickness etc will be a factor)
depending on that will be whether i make it. definatley a great thing for a camping bed and easy to untie for a makeshift shelter aswell !
And I think I have all the materials already! =)
p.s. here is a picture of my hammock. I was too lazy to find trees in the woods and deal with bugs, so I simply hung it on our swing set for now.
I really like the idea of the knots. Makes sense
Thank you! I've been trying to understand this aspect of hammock physics for years, and you finally explained it in a method I can understand! So my design is already pushing the safe working limits of the carabiners. Oh well -- I haven't had one fail in 3 years of using them, so I'm not worried yet.
It's hard for me to imagine someone ripping the sheets. That should be the strongest part of the design, as your weight is spread out over a large area of fabric, and where they connect to the paracord, they are bunched into essentially a very thick rope. Unless the sheets were very thin, old or already had a flaw in them, I really don't know how that would happen. I used some very thin material once (I could almost poke my finger through it) and although I stretched the fabric, it didn't tear.
The other option would be to go to Wal Mart and spend $4.50 on 9 feet of thicker material. Sorry -- I didn't think that was going to be a problem.
I usually place several dead branches between the tree and my ropes. This way the tree is untouched by the ropes and my hammock is just as secure. I leave happily rested and the tree leafs happily.
One question -- how many branches do you generally use per tree?
(the physics lesson was an added bonus too)