i was thinking of alternate, lightweight, modular and cheap ways to replace the chain link fence ridge pole. was at the gun show recently and saw these old military tent poles for a decent price.
http://store.colemans.com/cart/pole-...es-p-1476.html
i would require enough poles to stretch out to at least 10' (for me). the way my rig is designed, all the weight is suspended by the two tri-pods. so this "ridge" pole is basically keeping the tri pods from inward on eachother.
has anyone tried this and did it work? would it work? thoughts? thx guys.
I used 3/4 conduit for my wife and kids stand but know that would not work for me at all. Still looking at an aluminum or titanium stand but can not get cost to meet design...
I have read through all 51 pages and I have a question regarding the ridge pole. Is it necessary if you reduce the length of the rear pole on the tripod, changing the angle of the front legs to something closer to the desired 30 degree hang.
I realize this will require longer poles on the front end (~8-9' long), but overall it should reduce weight and the need for a ridge pole.
Thoughts?
There are very few problems we can solve ourselves, but there is almost nothing we cannot solve together.
Most often when someone says they can't, they are unwilling to try.
Badchef: No. The tripods take the weight straight down to the ground, dividing it up into six equal parts. Therefore, having the top of the tripod directly centered among the three legs gives it the most stability. The tripods don't know they're holding up a hammock! The ridgepole is only to keep the tripods from tipping inward. The 30 degree angle is still important to your comfort, but only as it relates to your suspension-"imaginary vertical line"-ground triangle. Does that make any sense?! P.S. Loved your video this morning--beautiful area!
PPS: Upon re-reading your post, I see where you're headed. Trying to eliminate the ridgepole. I've thought the same thing. I figured that, by the time you got the legs angled inward enough, they'd interfere with your hang. I never tried it though. Let us know if you do any "real world" 'sperimentin'.
"Pips"
Mountains have a dreamy way
Of folding up a noisy day
In quiet covers, cool and gray.
---Leigh Buckner Hanes
Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.
Surely, God never did.
Pips, Thanks for the reply and the props on the video.
It's helpful. I am searching the forum for an easily portable stand that I can take to a farm where I do not expect a lot of trees and would prefer not to have metal in the middle of an open field in the Spring.
There are very few problems we can solve ourselves, but there is almost nothing we cannot solve together.
Most often when someone says they can't, they are unwilling to try.
Ah, yes. Metal and lightning: You could make a TL stand out of all wood like QChan (all bamboo) and Gmctter (all saplings) (see pages 5 and 6, this thread)
I made my first stand from saplings too, but I used a TV antenna mast as the ridgepole. NOT for open area hanging!
Good luck!
"Pips"
Mountains have a dreamy way
Of folding up a noisy day
In quiet covers, cool and gray.
---Leigh Buckner Hanes
Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.
Surely, God never did.
Badchef - you can use anything for the ridgepole that's strong enough. A 2x4 works just fine. The reason for the metal is that it can be broken into several pieces for transport and retain it's strength.
The ridgepole is where the majority of force is taken (inward, along the line of the ridgepole) . Without tieouts, i dont see a way to eliminate the ridgepole.
What about 2 inch pvc or the like for the ridge pole? Would it work against a compressive load? You could use threaded adapter fittings to break it into sections to make it more portable and it's not conductive.
Last edited by Porloff94; 03-26-2012 at 11:57. Reason: abuse of the English language.
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