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New DIY Bridge Hammock
Here are some pics of my new DIY bridge. I took some cues from the Chrysalis and made it so my feet extend up to 14" beyond the spreader bars. I also made a shelf at the head end for storage. Supposedly it's made from 1.6 oz ripstop, but I literally can't tell it apart from the 1.1oz that I have. The spreader bars are both 36",
the triangles are 36",
the cat curve is 6",
the distance between the bars is 64" to make it 78" overall in length.
Header ratio = 1.15
Footer ratio = 1.33
Weight with triangles = 7.25oz
Whoopie slings 1.5oz
Extra long Tree straps = 4.05oz
The spreader bars are the real killer at 9.9oz. I have to get start using my hiking poles
I still haven't put the bug screen on yet so that will add some weight.
Overall this is the best laying, most stable hammock I have made. There's virtually no shoulder squeeze. It's wide enough to cross my legs or curl up on my side. If I scoot up a few inches toward the header my head will fit under the spreader bar and the edge of the shelf acts like a pillow yet I can sit up and miss the bar.
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I like the looks of that unit.
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Nice, I like the bridge hammocks, may need to make one myself. Great job!!!! :)
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Looking good Ed! I wished I hiked enough to make me want to buy hiking poles! If you used hiking poles like Grizz and shortened/lightened your tree straps, you'd be rivaling Grizz's gram counter.
Hard to see from your pics, but how are you attaching your spreaders to the hammock corners?
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I took some of the webbing and sewed it over sandwiching the spreader bar tip. I was concerned that it wouldn't work, but it is works exceptionally well. This isn't the best picture but you'll get the idea.
I had sent Grizz a picture of what I was working on and he shared with me his gram counter. It's funny how similar they are.
I used the 1500lbs rated 3/8" polyester webbing for the sides. The hammock ended up with a brown extension strip at the head end because I had a brain cramp and cut the end too short! If I do another like this, I believe I can make the entire hammock from 1 piece including the end caps. The caps would just need a seam where the would meet in the middle.
If you hike in the Mountains or on difficult terrain you'll never go back to being pole less. Years of hiking, biking and skiing and a torn ACL have done a number on my knees, so I don't leave home without them.
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This looks great. I like the way the spreaders are attached. I think I might add those to my current bridge and see how it affects the lay.
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I just tried using my hiking poles as spreader bars and it worked, but the way I did it probably wasn't the best. I took some dynaglide, hooked it through the holes for my spreader bar tip and larks headed it onto the end of the hiking pole. I then did essentially the same thing around the cork handle on the other side. The idea was kind of like a bow. It worked but there was some deflection in the hiking pole. It totally held my weight, but I would hat to snap one while I was out hiking.
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What is the minimum tree spread with a design like this?
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That is a good looking bridge. Nice job.
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Really nice looking bridge! Great job!
Cheers :D