My Take On DIY Hennessy Hammock. A Tutorial.

[Schneiderlein]

Okay as the project is slowly progressing my next quesion is...
Which is the best method to whip the hammock? Real whipping like HC4U did or a zip tie?

I put a 3/4" channel on each end, put cord through it and cinched tight. Then, I used a zip tie to secure it.

[chezrad]

I had some $1 Wally World nylon so I made one following the directions at the beginning of this post. I did change the position of the tie outs. Since I will be making an underquilt I figured I could put them wherever.

I did make it long starting with 134". I found that the length helps the abilty to get flat.

Here it is!



Here is a better view of the end whipping. I gathered the end on my double hammock, but I really like the feel hat a roll whip produces.



It lays really flat.



Side sleeping is possible as well.



Here is a picture with the hammock "Loaded".



All in all I'm happy with it so far. I still need to make a bug net with zippers and then make an underquilt for it.

It is one layer so it is lighter than my double hammock. Total cost so far is around $6.

On a side note I left a botched hammock hanging outside for about 6 months under trees. There was no degradation of the material at all. I'd dump the rain water out of it from time to time. The straps got good and stiff but the body material held up very well.

[Dutch]

Nice looking clone Chezrad. I just got some purple 1.9 to make one myself.

[chezrad]

Took two days to put together. The one thing that I would change at this point is the strength of the side tie-outs. I've never used them before and they do take some strain. Guess I'm still learning. Anyhow, it's more comfortable with a roll whip. My head is not pushed toward the center at an angle. With the roll whip the area where my head is seems to be flat. It's pretty nice.

Now I'm looking for an inexpensive source for zippers.

[Dutch]

i don't know about how expensive they are but OWF is where I get my zippers.
They are very knowedgable.

[chezrad]

What size/type zippers are you using and in what pull configuration?

[Perkolady]

Nice looking hammock, chezrad!
I really like the color. From the photos, it looks like you can get pretty flat in there! Sweet!

Great job and good luck with the rest of it.

Perkolady

[Dutch]

What size/type zippers are you using and in what pull configuration?

I have a #2 zipper with double pulling tab. That way it opens in the middle.

[jeffjenn]

Hi it's me again,
I've come to the point of bug netting & have found myself on the fence... I will be using a full left side zipper that meets in the middle, & I know I do not want a zipper on the right side, but I'm torn as to whether I want to sew the netting to the right side or use velcro giving the option of an opening if really needed. I've read it's a bit of a pain to use velcro as the only entrance because trying to get it sealed once you are in the hammock is no fun. Although I can see sticking an arm out to adjust a quilt or something shouldn't be too bad. Or what if the zipper fails, it would be nice to not have to cut my way free. At the same time will the velcro keep the side shut & free of bugs? If I roll around geting set, or at night in my sleep I don't want to open up spots for the skeeters to come in & feast.
Has anyone done this? Please give me your opinoins...

Thanks

[2Questions]

Or what if the zipper fails, it would be nice to not have to cut my way free.

Over the past 14 months, ZQ has modded over 130 Hennessy's with zipper mods and I have yet to hear of a failure. There are several thru-hiking with the mods. I'm glad to hear of no failures.

We use #5 coil zippers, not tooth zippers, that may be the difference. IMHO go with the coil zipper over the velcro. I don't recommend a zipper in a situation that is susceptible to a lot of stress however, such as the Hennessy slit, but for bugnetting, no problem.