Took the plunge! (Hammocks and Amsteel projects)

[jguthner]

Hey all, I know I haven't participated much, but I've been lurking a long time. I just wanted to say "thanks" for the virtual nudge this forum has provided me over to the DIY darkside. In the last week, I've learned to sew from ground zero...and I mean absolutely NO previous exposure at all...I've outfitted the whole family with hammocks (tableclothfactory crinkle taffeta) as well as discovered a real interest in all things amsteel.

I sat down tonight and banged out: 6" soft shackle, 13" dog bone, 4x 8" continuous loops, and a pair of 12' whoopie slings just for fun. It took me a while to get the hang of the diamond knot for the soft shackle, but again, the forum came to my aid and got me through it.

Anyway, I'm having a blasty-blast with this stuff, and credit you guys for pushing me over the edge to believe I could tackle stuff like this. I've already got my eye on a blackbishop tarp project (ambitious, I know) and really think that with a positive attitude and some help here and there, I can accomplish it.

My kids each spent the night in their hammocks this weekend after I hung them in their bedrooms with rave reviews...I don't know that we'll sell the tents just yet, but we're well on the way to being hammock believers.

Cheers,

Jason

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[berk]

Congrats! Nice looking splice work.

And welcome to the dark side...

[Bladerunner]

good looking work. welcome to the darks... I mean fun side of the camping world. I know I get much more enjoyment out of hanging in a hammock that I made from scratch. what did you end up as far as final dimensions on the hammocks?

[jguthner]

what did you end up as far as final dimensions on the hammocks?

The 60"x126" cloth yielded right at 115" long after the ends were gathered. I've got the 4 of them on ridgelines that are 85/90/95/100" long so I can compare side-by-side.

[Stormrunner]

Man, I been at this a while, I still don't have amsteel whoopies, lol. I'm considering it though, getting old, and tired of packing the cambuckle strap weight.

Nice stuff.

[xtrm611]

Excellent work. This is how it all started for me. Keeps the hands and mind busy. Finish one thing then on to the next!

[Bladerunner]

The 60"x126" cloth yielded right at 115" long after the ends were gathered. I've got the 4 of them on ridgelines that are 85/90/95/100" long so I can compare side-by-side.

the length doesn't seem too bad for the kids and if your around 5'10ish. if you find that you have an excessive amount of shoulder squeeze or you cant lay as flat as you want to try a longer hammock. im 6'2 and for me personally im not comfortable in anything shorter than 11' but everyone is different and there are people out there my height that are perfectly fine in 10' hammocks. as far as ridgelines go I believe that most people will start out at 83% of the total hammock length and adjust from there.

[larrybourgeois]

Hey all, I know I haven't participated much, but I've been lurking a long time. I just wanted to say "thanks" for the virtual nudge this forum has provided me over to the DIY darkside. In the last week, I've learned to sew from ground zero...and I mean absolutely NO previous exposure at all...I've outfitted the whole family with hammocks (tableclothfactory crinkle taffeta) as well as discovered a real interest in all things amsteel.

I sat down tonight and banged out: 6" soft shackle, 13" dog bone, 4x 8" continuous loops, and a pair of 12' whoopie slings just for fun. It took me a while to get the hang of the diamond knot for the soft shackle, but again, the forum came to my aid and got me through it.

Anyway, I'm having a blasty-blast with this stuff, and credit you guys for pushing me over the edge to believe I could tackle stuff like this. I've already got my eye on a blackbishop tarp project (ambitious, I know) and really think that with a positive attitude and some help here and there, I can accomplish it.

My kids each spent the night in their hammocks this weekend after I hung them in their bedrooms with rave reviews...I don't know that we'll sell the tents just yet, but we're well on the way to being hammock believers.

Cheers,

Jason

IMAG2161.jpgIMAG2169.jpgIMAG2170.jpgIMAG2172.jpg

Hehe, your kids must think that you are just the Coolest dad. What a neat set up for them to get the Hang of things with. LarryB

[sqidmark]

Tacblades made an excellent soft shackle video that does away with that gawdawful diamond knot.

[jguthner]

Tacblades made an excellent soft shackle video that does away with that gawdawful diamond knot.

I like that design a lot and the video is super clear. I'll try one of these today.