The TurtleDog stand

[dvitous]

Success!

Just completed my TDS. I successfully ripped some 2x4's that have been laying around waiting for a good use.

Ripping? Good. Cutting the bevel ends? Not so much. My 2nd stand came out worse than the first. Not bad for a first try though... and as I have more wood, will cost me nothing to re-do.

I used Treeslayer's ridge pole design ( https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...968#post472968 ) - 2 - 3/4 x5' conduit with a 1/2x5' inner sleeve connector. Like Treeslayer, I wrapped the ends in gorilla tape to snug it up. and also a wrap in the center.

Suspension is pretty much all amsteel parts (homemade!)- pole hanging from 12" continuous loops, and the hammock is on hanging on caribiners clipped into soft shackles looped over the pole ends.

I've got time before I need to make it weather ready... but this is a good first step!

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

very cool! I might have to build a couple to keep at my brother's house. He ain't got any trees and it makes me sad when I'm there

[stephen_q]

Well I made my first turtledog stand today and tested it out with a blackbird worked great no creaks or nothing! Thanks to everyone who contributed here especially hppyfngy, I pretty much stuck with his method.

2 - 1" x 6' pieces of Black Iron Pipe were used with a 1" coupling doesn't flex at all, but the pipe is not very cheap.

[hppyfngy]

Beautiful! Darn black pipe is heavy though...

Wear a helmet! Seriously, get used to how loading and unloading works. Getting in and out of the thing is when it is likely to misbehave and "Ouch!" will not be the first word out of your mouth...

[stephen_q]

Darn black pipe is heavy though...

Thanks for the comment, do you think I should be on the lookout for lighter weight pipe? I weight about 150, i was debating between 3/4 and 1".

[hppyfngy]

Thanks for the comment, do you think I should be on the lookout for lighter weight pipe? I weight about 150, i was debating between 3/4 and 1".

No, not necessarily at all. If the joint seems solid to you you're good! It is quite heavy though and I just wanted you to be aware that it would really flipping hurt to have it crash down on you...

Just saying...

[stephen_q]

No, not necessarily at all. If the joint seems solid to you you're good! It is quite heavy though and I just wanted you to be aware that it would really flippinghurt to have it crash down on you...

Just saying...

lol. Yah no doubt about that. I'm definitely going to take your advice and take it slow getting in and out. It does seem very solid though and I'm happy with the portability and convenience.

Thanks for all your help and feedback

[HangingKayaker]

...and here it is!

Made from 2x3's, the tall posts are 75" and the short are 72.5". My bar is 153" long (with a half split) and the top of the bar is 58.5" from the floor. The hang points are 2" inside of the ends of the pole. The initial hang in the WBBB feels good. The cushions under it were a precaution!!
Of course, comments and suggestions are more than welcome.

[gmcttr]

...and here it is!...

Looking good.

My preference when setting up on a hard surface is to use spread limiting cord around the bottom of the tripods. The legs make a very long lever attempting to split out around the top connecting bolts if you just rely on the tops butting together to prevent the legs from slipping or walking.

[grannypat]

I have my TD stand up in front of the house to test some things. I live in a community in the back of beyond. This morning a man and his son who were jogging came up and wanted to look at the stand. Turned out it was Barleyjac, who I had met at a Raven Cliff Falls hang last year. He had purchased a home in the area and his son noticed the stand as they went by. He had not been happy with his attempt at making one and wanted to look at mine. I thought it was pretty cool to run into a HF member like that.