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  1. #1
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    Why is my bridge hammock not level???

    I have made a bridge hammock based on Grizz's Rhino Bridge. When I lay in it on my back I noticed the spreader bar on the head end is not level and that corresponds with the hammock on my right side being higher than my left side by probably about 4 to 6 inches. What gives?

    I measured the length of each side of the suspension triangle to find both sides are 32 inches within a 1/16th inch tolerance.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Strung up Crooked

  2. #2
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    I would measure the sides of the fabric, from head end to foot end, to see if they are the same length

  3. #3
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    You're right...

    LubbockHammockGuy,

    Thanks for pointing out that one. Never crossed my mind that I could have messed that one up. Turns out when I compare the suspension sides of the hammock I am off by 4.5 inches. Wow, wouldn't have guessed that one.

    I guess the good news is this was my first bridge hammock I built a few weeks back that I was trying to "fix the suspension on" for my younger son to use. The one I built this weekend for my other son is only off by about 1/2 an inch.

    Do you think I can get away with making the suspension triangle lob-sided to compensate without making the spreader bar subject to undue stresses?

    Thanks,
    Mark

  4. #4
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    I have no clue, I have never made a bridge hammock so I am not the one to ask about it. I am just good at thinking about problems and coming up with possible causes for those problems.

  5. #5
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    Impressive...

    LubbockHammockGuy,

    Very impressive to figure that out so quickly having not ever built a bridge hammock yourself. Thanks for the help.


    Any one else have any thoughts on compensating for the different length side of the hammock by skewing the suspension triangle? Any foreseeable risk to the spreader bar?

    Other suggestions (besides not messing up on the construction in the first place)?

    Thanks...

  6. #6
    Senior Member GrizzlyAdams's Avatar
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    I don't think there's anything you can do with the suspension triangle to change the fact that there are non-centered forces on the spreader bars.

    I made the same error once, did a great deal of seam ripping to get the webbing out, squared up the body and put the webbing back.

    Since I've gone to make paper templates for the suspension curve and cut both curves at the same time (by having the fabric folded over) the risk of such mishaps has diminished considerably.
    Grizz
    (alias ProfessorHammock on youtube)

  7. #7
    Senior Member Catavarie's Avatar
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    My only advice is just like working with wood, measure twice cut once.

    As for adjusting the triangle to compensate, I wouldn't do that. It could add a cross force to your spreader bars causing them to snap. I'd say cut the long side of your hammock to match the short side. This should fix the problem without creating a new potentially dangerous problem.
    *Heaven best have trees, because I plan to lounge for eternity.

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  8. #8
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    Grizz,
    I did use your process of making the paper template and folding the fabric over. (Obviously though I did something in there terribly wrong...) After measuring it more carefully than I did last night around midnight, the difference is only 2 inches. Surprised it makes such a dramatic difference. I will be able to amend the difference pretty easily and give it another go.

    Do you think the 1/2 inch difference on the newer one will be a problem or do you think that is within tolerances?

    Catavarie,
    Thanks. I will heed your advice and not try to McGiver it to square.

    Thanks to all,
    Mark

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by StringHimUp View Post
    Catavarie,
    Thanks. I will heed your advice and not try to McGiver it to square.

    Thanks to all,
    Mark
    If it was a McGiver Bridge hammock you would also be able to use it as a parachute and a boat

  10. #10
    Senior Member GrizzlyAdams's Avatar
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    1/2 inch is within tolerance---otherwise I would have crashed and burned long ago

    Quote Originally Posted by StringHimUp View Post
    Grizz,
    I did use your process of making the paper template and folding the fabric over. (Obviously though I did something in there terribly wrong...) After measuring it more carefully than I did last night around midnight, the difference is only 2 inches. Surprised it makes such a dramatic difference. I will be able to amend the difference pretty easily and give it another go.

    Do you think the 1/2 inch difference on the newer one will be a problem or do you think that is within tolerances?

    Catavarie,
    Thanks. I will heed your advice and not try to McGiver it to square.

    Thanks to all,
    Mark
    Grizz
    (alias ProfessorHammock on youtube)

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