Introduction: Portable 100% Duct Tape Hammock

About: From solder to zip ties, lead acid batteries and LEDs, and especially Legos, putting things together has always fascinated me. The more challenging the better, because whats the fun of putting something togeth…

Planning a trip into the great outdoors?

Remember B.Y.O.D.T. In less than an hour, with less than one roll of Duct Tape,  you can have your own hammock to sleep in instead of on the rocky ground.

Even better, though, you can take it with you the next day because it only weighs 1lb.


Materials:

1x Roll of  Duct Tape (60yds). $3.34 at Home Depot

Some string may be handy to help hang the Hammock while you are building it.

Step 1: Creating the Frame

The frame is composed of 3 pieces. There is 1 center support and 2 side supports.

To create the center support double over (see next picture) a piece of Duct Tape so that after being doubled over it is 1ft longer than your height with an additional foot on each end. The total length of the center support should be your height + 3ft.

The side supports depend on how wide you wish to make the Hammock. In the picture I have them extend about 1ft from the center support on each side. Keep in mind that by increasing or decreasing the side width it can shorten or lengthen the side supports.

Make sure that the ends of the 2 side supports and 1 center support respectively meet at 2 intersections which are 1ft from each end. This will be important for the next step.

Step 2: Wrapping the Ends

It is very important that the intersections (where the center support and side supports meet) will not come apart. To ensure this wrap Duct Tape in a circle around the intersections at least 5 times.

This is also important to repeat when you add rope to the ends later on or in any extensions. Those will be explained in the next steps.

Step 3: Hanging Up the Hammock

At this point I found it easiest to hang it up and continue from there. I tied the 1ft strips at the end up to poles to hang the Hammock. You could also tie string to the end strips then tie the other end of the string to something to hold the Hammock up.

When hanging the Hammock it is important that there is a sag in the main support. The center needs to be the lowest part and the ends the highest. It should not be parallel to the ground.

Because of this the side supports should also have a sag to them. However we want them to be parallel to the ground. To fix this roll up the slack (see second photo on this page) and wrap up the slack with Duct Tape.


Step 4: Creating the Ribs

These strips of Duct Tape go from one side support under the center support around  the opposite side support and back across the center support to the original side support so that the adhesive is touching adhesive. These should be spaced out every 6-8 inches in between the intersections.

It is important that the ribs are not taunt. They should have a little bit of slack because when you lay down the side supports will move to the sides. Otherwise they would be help to close to the center support and the Hammock would not be wide enough.

Step 5: More Support

At this point all of the ribs should be completed. There is just one more support we need to add.

Starting at one intersection run a piece of Duct Tape inbetween the center support and one of the side supports on top of the ribs all the way to the other intersection. Repeat on the other side. BE SURE to now wrap the intersection and the new supports together so that they do not come out.

Step 6: Creating the Rope to Wrap Around a Tree

There should be one foot of Duct Tape on each side of the Hammock coming out from the intersections.

To create the rope wrap Duct Tape starting at the intersection. Wrap upward towards the closest ends around the 1ft strip so that about half of each wrap is on top of the last wrap. Continue this until the end and repeat at least 3 times. It is important to repeat this process because something sharp could cut through otherwise. Repeat on the other side of the Hammock.

Step 7: Extending the Rope

The amount of Duct Tape rope created is probably not enough to wrap around a tree.

This is very easy to fix. Just start a piece of tape about 6 inches from the end of the rope and extend it is far as you want. Then double it back so that both adhesive sides are touching each other the entire way. Then wrap Duct Tape around the extension like you did to create the rope the first time. A few extra wraps around the start of the connection can help ensure that it stays on.

Step 8: Finished Hammock

Enjoy anywhere whether it be the Great Outdoors or in your backyard. One more testament to the strength of Duct Tape. I left this out over night in a rainstorm and there are no visible effects.

Weighing barely 1lb this is a light and small addition to any backpack but mostly just a good nights sleep.

The Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest

Participated in the
The Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest