Hello Swingers I'm the new guy

[BigJim]

Just wanted to tell every one hello. I finshed my first rough draft hammock today found some $1.50 yard fabric at wal-mart bought 4.5 yards I'm pretty sure it's 1.9 oz rip stop nylon. But orgin is unknown. Did the breath threw test and its pretty wind proof. Have 3/8'' ploy twisted rope for suspenstion with no ridgeline yet (I'm pretty new to that consept). I'm 6'8" and 310lbs so my rough hammock is 13' long. Little longer than speer avised. and 60" wide. Excited today 19 degrees outside, girlfriend laughing and calling me crazy. I strung it up in the back yard. The thing held me and was quiet comfortable. I think my knees needed more support but i will need more time in it to be sure. I followed jeffs instructions for the most part used zip ties instead of whipping ends. I want to personally thank jeff for his web site. When i get my hammock done want to post pic's from start to finsh.

[BrianWillan]

Welcome BigJim

How long were you in your hammock at 19F? At somepoint, you are going to want to upgrade your suspension. That 3/8 twisted polypropylene rope isn't as strong as most of the other materials commonly used.

Of course, read through the information here. There is enough to keep you busy for weeks on end.

Swingers is one thing, most hammock people like to use the term hangers. ;-)

Cheers

Brian

[BigJim]

The cheap rope is just temp i bought it at wal-mart I want to make finshed product suspention out of seat belt strap (I use to work at a scrap yard) with rings steched in for eazy setup and tighting. I was in it for about half hour Messing around. I was just being silly with the swinger thing. Sorry. I stand corrected. Hangers it is. I saw jeff's site about 2 weeks ago i have lots to learn. I'm not going to try winter camping this year so have lot of time til spring.

[Mule]

Welcome to the nicest forum on earth.

[Cannibal]

Swingers, hangers it's all good!

Try using a "W" whipping on the foot end. You can move the ridge it creates by changing where on the fabric you form the center of the W. I've found it useful on a few of my DIY builds. Don't do it at both ends. I found it horribly uncomfortable when used on the head end.

Welcome to the forums!

[slowhike]

Welcome BigJim!
13' is a long hammock, but I think a longer gathered end hammock lends it's self to being more comfortable. Only thing that may cause you to consider shortening it some day would be if the two perfect trees you want to use are just a little to close together

I always use something under my knees (laying on my back) or between my knees (laying on my side). It certainly makes a difference.

And yeah, be careful w/ that "temporary" support rope. We sure don't want to hear about a new hammocker w/ a sore back

[slowhike]

And yeah, like Cannibal said, the way you gather & whip the ends as well as how tight or loose you hang it, will affect the way it feels when you lay in it.

[joggerjohn]

Big Jim sounds like a swinger who has a hangover.

[Perkolady]

Hi BigJim

Congratulations on your first diy hammock!

Hammocks are so easy to make- or at least that's one excuse I use for making more

Gotta keep trying out new ideas, and all that....

Welcome to HF and very likely, a new addiction.

[gargoyle]

Nice to have ya aboard, and your a fellow michigander. Hope to get a group hang together soon. A group swing may get out of hand.

Welcome and merry x-mas.