hammock posts

**timdgsr** · 03-22-2012, 23:14

Hello all,

I was wondering: how many of you have set up posts in your yard for hammocks?

I've been kicking around the idea of erecting some posts in the back yard for my hammocks. I'm a larger guy, so I was thinking some 6x6 posts, 12 ft and burying 3ft and filling the hole in with concrete.

But then I got to thinking about distance between the posts, and how tall the post should be, what kind of bolt to mount to the post, etc.

Have any of you gone through this same train of thought, and if so, what did you come up with?

I apologize if this subject has been beat to death, but the search features don't really work very well for "4x4", "6x6", and "posts"

**HamMike** · 03-22-2012, 23:28

I did 10ft 4x4 2 and half feet down in concrete. They bow a little so it makes it difficult to put a tarp up too without the tarp losing tautness when I get in the hammock. I'd go 6x6 if I did it over again and deeper.

**Boomer** · 03-22-2012, 23:35

Look around for hammock stands. Several people have built them here. If I were going to do a post, i'd be like 8' 6"x6" pt and a tree for the other end. I actually use my deck post as it's attached at the top. The straps chew up the post, so I put a rubber matt around it before mounting a strap.

However, lately I just put eye bolts in the ceiling of my garage and do my test hangs there.

**dant8ro** · 03-23-2012, 05:40

I've seen a 4x4 snap when someone hopped into a hammock. They are likely NOT strong enough to hold up to long term use. I agree that a 6x6 would likely do the trick, and the deeper the better (I'd want like 4 Ft in the ground). But hey, its your tailbone. lol.

GT · 03-23-2012, 05:46

I took a couple of 5 gal buckets and some short pcs of pvc pipe. cut the pvc to the height of the bucket and fill the bucket with cement with the pvc pipe in the center. After it sets up, bury it a little below ground level. I cover mine with flat rocks so that I can mow my lawn right over them. When I use them I just lift the flat rocks and stick an 8 foot steel pipe into the pvc pipe in the bucket.

**dant8ro** · 03-23-2012, 05:48

That's a pretty cool idea! Do you get a lot of flex in the steel post/movement in the bucket? I love the idea of being able to pull the post and cut the lawn.

Dan.

**Boomer** · 03-23-2012, 10:33

Make sure that you use a heavy enough pole. I have my chainlink fence into two 80# bags of concrete & went off one of the poles. It bent the whole thing!

**Fig** · 03-23-2012, 11:13

I used some drill stem we had. It's about 2 5/8 in diameter. Put four posts in the ground and cemented them in with the expensive cement. I still had to brace them with a wire because we drilled down about four feet and hit solid rock. Drilled the other holes and put in anchors with wires attached which I then clamped to the poles. Solid as the rock they are sitting on. I didn't do any fancy measuring, just drilled one hole, walked off what I thought would be a good distance and then drilled the next one. Put them in a square so that I can hang in different configurations if needed.

**Jazilla** · 03-23-2012, 11:21

I have seen a few guys hang off fence post. Like the steel post wood fence type. Wonder if I would pull my fence down doing this?

GT · 03-23-2012, 11:42

Originally Posted by dant8ro

That's a pretty cool idea! Do you get a lot of flex in the steel post/movement in the bucket? I love the idea of being able to pull the post and cut the lawn.

Dan.

Mine hasn't budged in two years. I use HD steel pipe though because I had some around the house. Probably can find something cheap at tractor supply or home depot that will work. If not, just tell the wife that you decided to plant a couple new fruit tree's in the back yard.