Illustration - Universal Joint for Hammock Village

**WonderMonkey** · 07-07-2010, 16:01

Originally Posted by dejoha

Thanks all for the interest. I'm getting three prototyped this week to test and hopefully a few more tweaked versions for an event on July 1-4.

And although these are a car camping commodity, I want it to be sleek, good-looking, well thought out, and reproducible. In fact, I wonder if I should add a carrying handle on the top...or maybe a tube for a flag pole...

Anyway, I'll keep you posted with the progress and when I'm ready to make mass orders.

I think a carrying handle in the middle with two velcro straps out near the ends would enable someone to carry these.

**NCPatrick** · 07-07-2010, 16:04

We'll need to have a hangout where we beta test one of these when they're ready.

**dejoha** · 07-07-2010, 23:25

Originally Posted by WonderMonkey

I think a carrying handle in the middle with two velcro straps out near the ends would enable someone to carry these.

Yes, great idea! I was thinking of adding a handle on the top too. And a flagpole stand (well, a flag could just drop down the center).

**dejoha** · 07-07-2010, 23:27

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

We'll need to have a hangout where we beta test one of these when they're ready.

Yea, verily.

**oneonone** · 08-22-2010, 16:28

any news on the prototype?

**dejoha** · 08-22-2010, 18:56

Thanks for the bump. My first attempt to get a welder fell through. I have a second welder in talks, and to be safe, I am reaching out to a third. I can't tell you how frustrating this is! How hard is it to weld a little metal; even for ready money?! Ive half a mind to learn how to weld and make these myself. Hard to find good help. Maybe I should outsource to china.

While I stew in my own misery, we visited the (new to us) elementary school my kids will attend starting tomorrow and they had some cool hexagonal playground equipment with a style of the universal joint I am looking for. Unfortunately the company is now out of business (I spent some time trying to track them down).

Maybe there is another way I can make these myself without relying on others.

**Bomber** · 08-22-2010, 19:02

Tsk... tsk

As a true boyscout - nothing more than wooden poles(?), ropes and some good lashings are needed

/Bomber

**dejoha** · 08-22-2010, 19:07

You Are absolutely right bomber. Now I just need to find a grove of bamboo or some lodge poles.

. I guess I could lash metal pipe...it seems like that's where I'm at.

**Bomber** · 08-23-2010, 16:37

Originally Posted by dejoha

I guess I could lash metal pipe...it seems like that's where I'm at.

If tight enough, a lashing would hold up, even on a teflon coated pole

Though not as streamlined and cool, as a nice custom project it´s cheap and effective...

/Bomber

**MacEntyre** · 08-23-2010, 18:57

Originally Posted by Bomber

If tight enough, a lashing would hold up, even on a teflon coated pole

Actually, that's not true... I have learned through experience that no hitch or lashing will stay fast on an aluminum pole. You have to tape the pole, and lash the taped part.