Mini-spreader bar on End Channel Hammock

**Detail Man** · 07-04-2012, 07:29

Olddog, CA glue (super glue) bonds to amsteel quite nicely. You could try the Turk's head on the carbon fiber shaft and saturate it with CA. Spray a little accelerant to cure it. That should make for a nice hard, fixed stopper. You might even be able to get away just glueing a clove hitch, wrapping the tails around before applying the CA.

Another idea that addresses the thin wall of the carbon fiber...find two sizes that telescope together. That would increase the wall thickness between the turk's heads. I'm guessing there is some lateral stress on the bar in the middle. It would be simmilar to Red's original idea with the PVC, just lighter and more streamlined.

I've been following this thread with interest since the start. Now I've got to try it for myself. Darn it, ANOTHER project to spend time on happily.

**Redoleary** · 07-04-2012, 07:33

Nice work there OG. I like the hammock on a separate line like that. Looking fwd to future reports.

**newhanger** · 07-08-2012, 23:39

I just wanted to share an idea for making the suspension easily removable, with one line and notched spreader bar on each end of the hammock. If you take a line approx 30" in length with a locked brummel eye at each end, taking care that each eye is large enough to fit over your spreader bar. Attach the center of this line to a ring, biner, ect. with a lark's head knot. Then feed both eyes through the hammock channel from opposite directions. place your notched bar into the suspension, then lock the bar in place with the eyes. I've drawn a crude picture to show the idea:

I'll try building one later this week and post real pics. the larks head will keep the bar from pivoting while the eyes hold everything together when the hammock is loaded. and the spreader bar will remove easily for washing, packing, ect.

**Redoleary** · 07-09-2012, 04:06

Excellent idea. Looking fwd to the pics.

**oldgringo** · 07-09-2012, 04:52

Originally Posted by newhanger

I just wanted to share an idea for making the suspension easily removable, with one line and notched spreader bar on each end of the hammock. If you take a line approx 30" in length with a locked brummel eye at each end, taking care that each eye is large enough to fit over your spreader bar. Attach the center of this line to a ring, biner, ect. with a lark's head knot. Then feed both eyes through the hammock channel from opposite directions. place your notched bar into the suspension, then lock the bar in place with the eyes. I've drawn a crude picture to show the idea:

I'll try building one later this week and post real pics. the larks head will keep the bar from pivoting while the eyes hold everything together when the hammock is loaded. and the spreader bar will remove easily for washing, packing, ect.

This could work...I'm unclear whether or not the bar will have to be locked in position, although it appears that forces will be equal and opposite.

Consider holes v. slots so your bar stays attached and doesn't run away from home. Like Red, looking forward to pics.

**RePete** · 07-12-2012, 09:39

Has anyone tried to attach a bar in the same manner as a bridge hammock. Seems like everyone is trying to re invent the wheel. This video by opie shows what I mean. By the way I am 99% sure the hammock in the video is the hammock I have now. I dont know where he got his end pieces but I am sure something similar to what the Jacks use would work in this application as well. Just found and read this entire thread today thanks to Pipps. Thanks Pipps. Now I am going to have to try this. Now that I think of it you should be able to simulate this bar with a piece of dowel and a redneck lathe. Hmmmm.

**FireInMyBones** · 07-16-2012, 07:27

As a bit of a gram weenie, I have been leery of anything that adds weight. However, after reading through this entire thread and running some mental experiments, I plan of attempting this mod with removable bars.

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Edit:
I tested this method out and noticed too little of a difference with my DIY GT Nano (4'x9') to merit the weight gain. The fabric still wanted to gather in the middle down to about two inches wide rather than using the full 6" of spread available. I still had a slight line of fabric at my calf, but it doesn't bother too much.

Thanks for the idea. I'm glad to see that it is working well for some people. Maybe I need to just play around with it some more.

**oldgringo** · 07-17-2012, 18:11

We have a winner. Or at least, I like it.

I took newhanger's idea, massaged it a bit, and here is the result.

I started with 48" of Amsteel. The holes in the pvc are 3.75" on centers, and the oal of the bar is 5.75". After passing the Amsteel through the holes, I made two whoopies, sized them to fit the pvc snugly, stitched them, and cut/buried the tails.

This design gives more spread and less arc than others I've tried...zero calf ridge.

**hppyfngy** · 07-17-2012, 19:24

Darn Darn Darn it! I've been avoiding looking at this thread for weeks but the mention it keeps getting in other threads has forced my hand.

It's a beautifully simple idea, Red and the mods have been elegant. I have absolutely no need for this as I'm perfectly comfortable in my current hammocks, but I just cant stand the pressure!!!

To der inventing rrroom!