BMBH suspension upgrade

**opie** · 03-11-2010, 00:18

Wait.... I got an idea...

**GrizzlyAdams** · 03-11-2010, 00:19

well, you do lose almost 7 ounces if you leave the spreader bars at home.

there are some disadvantages though...you gotta have a partner to help you get out...if you survive the night...

**opie** · 03-11-2010, 00:25

Nevermind.. My idea wont work. I thought a couple pieces of arrow shaft over the line for the spreader bars would work... but its to much angle for the line.

It didnt dawn on me that the physical width of the hammock was less than the length of the spreader bar.

Back to the drawing board.

Grizz... WOuldnt this be like a cocoon without the bars?

**GrizzlyAdams** · 03-11-2010, 00:37

Originally Posted by opie

Nevermind.. My idea wont work. I thought a couple pieces of arrow shaft over the line for the spreader bars would work... but its to much angle for the line.

Been there and done that. puts a nice dent in the shaft, doesn't it.

It didnt dawn on me that the physical width of the hammock was less than the length of the spreader bar.

the first time I put cord rings on the corners I didn't account sufficiently for that. I did notice before hand that the bars slotted on the far side of the ring whose near side went through the webbing loop and made them loose....but not loose enough. After that I learned.

Grizz... WOuldnt this be like a cocoon without the bars?

Been there and done that too. Just to see. Did I mention that you need help getting out? Did I mention shoulder squeeze that puts your shoulders in your ears?

**MedicineMan** · 03-11-2010, 07:53

shoulders in your ears! HA!

**GrizzlyAdams** · 03-11-2010, 10:22

Originally Posted by opie

Nevermind.. My idea wont work. I thought a couple pieces of arrow shaft over the line for the spreader bars would work... but its to much angle for the line.

You could in principle shave an inch or two from one of the spreader bars to make it fit over the thimbles, and the thimbles are sturdier than the shafts, but that focuses all the compression force on the edge of the spreader bar slot that is farther from the hammock corner. Probably not so good…

I did like the looks of those thimbles though

**opie** · 03-11-2010, 12:33

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

You could in principle shave an inch or two from one of the spreader bars to make it fit over the thimbles, and the thimbles are sturdier than the shafts, but that focuses all the compression force on the edge of the spreader bar slot that is farther from the hammock corner. Probably not so good…

I did like the looks of those thimbles though

I want to keep the altering of the bars as a last resort.

If you grab some thimbles, go up above 1/8.

**opie** · 03-15-2010, 21:08

Allright.. well. I got the larger thimbles... and, well, they are too big. Might work well for the all-in-one sling/strap set-up. But to big for the BMBH.

So... Ive got yet another idea.

Im going to see if I can make my own thimble.... Wont really be a thimble. Itll be more of a tube.... But Im gonna try.

**Bleemus** · 03-15-2010, 21:40

Interested to see what you come up with. I am working on making my TiGoat trekking poles work as spreader bars. Ain't easy!

**opie** · 05-01-2010, 13:40

Allright... FINALLY... done and success.

Weight with hammock, stuff sack, suspension and bars is 1 pound 11.8 ounces. That does not include the bug net, straps, toggles, biner or DC..However you want to roll with tree attachment.

I did end up cutting the bars...But I didnt really shorten them by all that much. I removed the ends that had the slots cut in, and an additional 1" from each spreader bar, 1/2" from each side. I shaved 18 grams there. You could lose more but Im a big guy and I didnt want to make the hammock to small. I then gained some weight by using the inserts that fit into the spreader bars. Those added 46 grams.

All the cord is DG. The 4 eye to eye lengths total 8 grams. I made 4' slings and both of those come to 12 grams. All 6 of the thimbles come to 10 grams.

Ill need to go back and see what the weight savings actually is....

Onto the pics..

I am pleased with it and using the DG gives me the margin of staying within what the Jacks spec the hammock for.

I think I could have gone a touch longer on the eye to eye slings.... I have my super secret bridge that I need to suspend, so Ill try longer slings there.