DSBH, a hammock mod idea

[Snowball]

Nice work! Do you suppose the rod material matters? What about the red/white fiberglass rods from the for-sale section at HD or Lowes? This is pretty tough and not overly heavy...also flexible so you might could flex it to fit in the end pockets instead of a full length pocket. My only fear with this type of experimentation is lots of holes in the hammock to potentially tear out.

No but i would prefer it could flex a bit. Please forgive me but i live on the other side of the world so i don't know these fiberglass rods What i do know about fiberglass is it creates splinters when it crack but so does carbon fiber to some degree. Its a chance we have to take when we DIY. If you test any kind of rod its likely it will crack the first time or you can see odds are it will and if so then you have to go up in seize or change the material.

[Snowball]

I did the same mod to the head end.
Same length channel and the intention was to use the same length rod, no confusion when setting up.

To be honest it does NOT work at well as the foot end does.

There is a lot more stress on the fabric in the head end. I did expect some but not this much. I tried a shorter rod and the stress was reduced. The picture show the test with the short rod. For the record in this hammock the head side is the right side.
It does push the high left wall a bit to the side but not so much so it’s worth making. Not IMO.
Could be a short rod offset to the left could do a better job?

I did not sew grosgrain on the inside in this end but the intention was to do it if the mod worked. The good thing is its easier to rip apart this way
IMG_20160118_172853.jpg

[Snowball]

Foot end update.
I tried the short rod (approx 10” (25 cm)) centered in the same pocket. It does not stretch the fabric out but still it eliminates the calf ridge
IMG_20160118_181736.jpg

[Elementalscape]

Foot end update.
I tried the short rod (approx 10” (25 cm)) centered in the same pocket. It does not stretch the fabric out but still it eliminates the calf ridge
IMG_20160118_181736.jpg

I figured you could get away with a short one like that.

[tightwad]

No but i would prefer it could flex a bit. Please forgive me but i live on the other side of the world so i don't know these fiberglass rods What i do know about fiberglass is it creates splinters when it crack but so does carbon fiber to some degree. Its a chance we have to take when we DIY. If you test any kind of rod its likely it will crack the first time or you can see odds are it will and if so then you have to go up in seize or change the material.

They call them driveway markers...a 48" fiberglass rod that has reflective tape on it.

[WhollyHamaca]

They call them driveway markers...a 48" fiberglass rod that has reflective tape on it.

I recently bought a few of those driveway markers, so I did a break test on a new one. They're quite flexible (good for hammock comfort in Snowball's mod) but while bending a full-length (48") one I snapped it without too much effort. When it broke it splintered badly with sharp jagged ends. But Snowball's latest version uses a much shorter rod, so I then cut a 12" section and put the ends on 2 bricks, then stood on the middle of the rod; it didn't break.
Perhaps somebody has tried these fiberglass driveway markers in short lengths for mini spreader bars and reported success/failure? That would be instructive. I did a quick search but didn't find a relevant post.

[tightwad]

I recently bought a few of those driveway markers, so I did a break test on a new one. They're quite flexible (good for hammock comfort in Snowball's mod) but while bending a full-length (48") one I snapped it without too much effort. When it broke it splintered badly with sharp jagged ends. But Snowball's latest version uses a much shorter rod, so I then cut a 12" section and put the ends on 2 bricks, then stood on the middle of the rod; it didn't break.
Perhaps somebody has tried these fiberglass driveway markers in short lengths for mini spreader bars and reported success/failure? That would be instructive. I did a quick search but didn't find a relevant post.

If the tube doesn't allow much flex they shouldn't shatter, even in longer lengths, certainly not at 12"...

[johne]

you could also look at these fiberglass electric fence posts: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...t?cm_vc=-10005

they are super cheap and thicker than the driveway markers.

[Snowball]

To me it sounds like these driveway markers would do. Whatever our use its a good idea to use some kind of end caps to protect the fabric especially if its fiberglass. If you haven't got end caps round the ends (no sharp edges).

This is the short version i used. 8mm (5/16") Carbon Fiber L just under 11"
IMG_20160119_154056.jpg
10 grams as you see it

[Otter1]

GREAT stuff. Perhaps the biggest thing since Whoopies! Time will tell.

Ace Hardware has plenty of endcaps to choose from.