Hammock stand teething problems.

**Hoppy** · 10-26-2010, 17:07

Morning All,

I have made myself a standard pipe stand.
470 cm (15 ft) long ridge (single piece).
220 cm (7ft) high uprights.
150 cm (5 ft) long feet (perpendicular to the ridge).
The pipe is 32 mm nb (1.25 inch)
Connectors are two plain elbow bends (uprights/ridge) and two T connectors (uprights/feet).

There seems to be an innordinate amount of 'north/south' sway.

Is the sway normal ?

Cheers !

**KerMegan** · 10-26-2010, 17:18

yes. the combination of flex in the pipes (width/length is about 5:240..and that would be if they were solid) and a bit of give in the joints; consider that you are putting at least your weight and possibly more across the top of the pipes with a 7 ft torque arm (!), and they have no bracing- they ends will move toward each other noticeably when loaded.
KM

**tbctx** · 10-26-2010, 22:05

You need braces to form a triangle between the perpendicular legs and the upright one, having one between the upright and ridge one may help as well.

**jlb2012** · 10-26-2010, 22:17

probably could just run a couple guy lines from uprights out to tent stakes

myself I just learned to live with it - sure does feel odd the first few times though

**Veto 65** · 10-26-2010, 22:30

Originally Posted by KerMegan

yes. the combination of flex in the pipes (width/length is about 5:240..and that would be if they were solid) and a bit of give in the joints; consider that you are putting at least your weight and possibly more across the top of the pipes with a 7 ft torque arm (!), and they have no bracing- they ends will move toward each other noticeably when loaded.
KM

That from our hammock engineering department.

**Bradley** · 10-26-2010, 22:52

Originally Posted by Hoppy

There seems to be an innordinate amount of 'north/south' sway.

I might turn it east-west

Might help

**JohnSawyer** · 10-26-2010, 23:35

If by N/S you mean the pipes bend inward: yes, you have quite the lever arm working on those 90-degree joints. (Like Kermegan said) You'll need to brace them.

45 degree elbows and longer uprights would take the load better as it's more in-line with the pipe.

If by N/S you mean left/right swing as the hammock swings back and forth, it'll depend on your attachment method for the feet. If the attachment is less than 100% you'll need to tighten it up, if the legs are swaying, put a foot under each of the 4 ends... 1" lift on each end would be plenty...

I'd be worried about the 90's failing if you don't brace it...