Video : Ask Professor Hammock --- Can the BMBH be lightened?

**ryndel** · 02-15-2010, 08:52

First, great video, Grizz! Thanks!!

Second, could you post some detail photos and a short description of the splices you used on the "lightened" suspension?

Also, what kind of tubing did you use to protect the webbing on the hammock?

Thanks!

**Bleemus** · 02-15-2010, 09:53

Grizz,
Great video! Can you point me to the thread where the use of trekking poles as substitutes for the hammock poles is discussed? I had thought of doing this and want to make sure my ideas stand up to science!

Bleemus

**GrizzlyAdams** · 02-15-2010, 10:54

Originally Posted by ryndel

First, great video, Grizz! Thanks!!

Second, could you post some detail photos and a short description of the splices you used on the "lightened" suspension?

Also, what kind of tubing did you use to protect the webbing on the hammock?

Thanks!

I don't have that hammock any more, but the splices are stock buries you'll find pictures of these all over the place here at HF. Search engines are your friends.

Recipe:

2 lengths of 7/64" Amsteel @ 48" long. Call these cords type A
2 lengths of 7/64" Amsteel @ 132" long. Call these cords type B
2 lengths of 7/64" Amsteel @ 32" long. Call these cords type C

At a hammock end attach a type A cord to one corner, and a type B cord to the opposing corner, using a locked Brummel fixed eye bury where the bury is 6" long, and the eye loop is 2" long.

20" up the type B cord (measured from the hammock corner, join the type A and type B cords in a locked Brummel, so that the type A cord is likewise 20" from its corner to the lock. Bury the type A cord length. I've got 12" here for the bury of the type A cord into the type B, which is overkill, but safety first.

The type C cords are used to make UCRs. There is cord enough for a 3" fixed eye loop with a 6" bury, and 12" of bury length for the type B end that is going in.

The tubing I got in plumbing supplies at a big box place. The stuff I put in the web loop is clear vinyl----I'll measure it when I get home. This is slightly too large a diameter for the slot in the speader bar, so I got some thinner stiff stuff to put on the cord to protect it from the spreader. Again, dimensions and perhaps photos later tonight.

you might also want to have a peek at this thread.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 02-15-2010, 11:04

Originally Posted by Bleemus

Grizz,
Great video! Can you point me to the thread where the use of trekking poles as substitutes for the hammock poles is discussed? I had thought of doing this and want to make sure my ideas stand up to science!

Bleemus

Ha! you asked. Here's the thread. Probably popped up other places as well.

In a nutshell, what you do depends a great deal on the poles you have.

Key principles---keep the compression force centered. If possible, insert dowel rods inside the pole to ease forces on the locking mechanisms. Webbing based pockets for the handle end have worked out. A variety of ways of securing the pole tip. Me, I found success in putting a washer on the tip and slipping the tip+washer between a couple of strands of cord. They close down under tension, the washer keeps the tip from shooting through.

**ryndel** · 02-15-2010, 11:14

Excellent. Thanks! I couldnt tell if the tubing was flexible or rigid from the video.

This will be going on a DIY bridge with .5" tubular webbing. I have the hammock body finished, and the 7/64" amsteel should get here any day now. I was just looking for some "best practices" before I start chopping up the amsteel. I'll be using trekking poles as spreaders, so I've been tossing around ideas for how to make all the connections between webbing, cordage, spreaders, etc...

**questtrek** · 02-15-2010, 11:57

Great video Grizz....
Got to love it... especially the "Snowflies" ...lol

**GrizzlyAdams** · 02-15-2010, 20:00

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

The tubing I got in plumbing supplies at a big box place. The stuff I put in the web loop is clear vinyl----I'll measure it when I get home. This is slightly too large a diameter for the slot in the speader bar, so I got some thinner stiff stuff to put on the cord to protect it from the spreader. Again, dimensions and perhaps photos later tonight.

The clear flexible vinyl tubing is 3/8" outer diameter, the stiff polyester tubing is 1/4" OD.

sheaths-1.jpg

sheaths-2.jpg

sheaths-3.jpg

ryndel, thanks for the bump! One does these videos, and they fade away. Nice to know someone looks at them after the initial announcement.

ryndel, Bleemus, questtrek—thanks for the thanks. We're suckers for applause