Another version of the Aluminum Surplus Military Pole Stand

**Agfadoc** · 05-07-2013, 13:25

Originally Posted by dixoncreations

Yes, this is what happens when you leave to take out the trash with 3 young adventerous women in the room with your stuff all set up.

I was shocked to see the tremendous amount of bow, and immediately told them to get down. They demanded a photo op. After seeing the photo, they understood my shock.

I haven't quite figured out how to hang from around the pole itself. Right now my caribiners are clipped into the ends of the ridgepole and i'm hanging from that. Around 3-6" of flex with just me in it. Obviously with the girls in it that caused quite a bit more.

If you get a piece of inner-tube from a 26" bike wheel, you can cut a 6 inch piece and place it on the ends and just simply wrap the straps around the pole and it holds amazingly well.

That's what I do... I think Gmcttr or one of the others gave us the idea.

**dixoncreations** · 05-07-2013, 13:25

To confirm, this is what should be done?

**Agfadoc** · 05-07-2013, 13:27

Yep.. That's how I do it. I tried eyeloops but they are a pain.

**gmcttr** · 05-07-2013, 15:09

Originally Posted by dixoncreations

...I haven't quite figured out how to hang from around the pole itself...

See post #50 in this thread for a couple of photos of attaching straps directly to the ridgepole.

**G...Hawk** · 05-07-2013, 19:54

Today we had a large dose of the vanCamper's version of trail magic.
It was tripod magic ?

We are making a three tripod+two ridgepole hammock setup with alum military antenna poles.
3T+2R.AMAP-TL

When I realized that the holes for the snap buttons need more than using a drill stand it took a while to find a local machine shop.
Hiking partner Bob O / Scout79 suggested a retired shop owner Harry K.

Today we, my husband Arthur and I, assisted old Harry K in drilling 28 four foot alum poles for our three tripod set up.
Wonderful to watch, and minimally assist, an old timer in his craft.

He asked questions.
I showed images and gave answers.

He laughed remembering camping in his youth.

He charged us nothing for his work.

A terrific piece of camp magic !

G

**Agfadoc** · 05-08-2013, 06:07

I'd love to see the finished result.

**G...Hawk** · 05-08-2013, 19:29

Originally Posted by Agfadoc

I'd love to see the finished result.

Our tiny NYC-Queens backyard has no space for the 3tripod+2ridgepole set up.

When we go camping later this month we will set it up and take photos.

Looking forward to this experiment.

G

**scroungetech** · 05-11-2013, 07:26

To anyone who is using one of these stands: What is the total length of the floor space needed for this type of stand? This would be the longest total measurement from the two furthest-spread tripod legs at opposite ends. I'm trying to figure out if this will fit in the room where I want to put my hammock. Thanks
~scroungetech

**Agfadoc** · 05-11-2013, 08:49

Originally Posted by scroungetech

To anyone who is using one of these stands: What is the total length of the floor space needed for this type of stand? This would be the longest total measurement from the two furthest-spread tripod legs at opposite ends. I'm trying to figure out if this will fit in the room where I want to put my hammock. Thanks
~scroungetech

If you use 4 sections of the poles for the ridgeline, that's 16' which works very well with my 11' hammock. Three sections is 12' and that works well with my 9.5' hammock (HHED)

The span between my feet is 5' so the maximum size is 16 to 19' x 5' depending how you position it with the two legs to the back away from the hammock., or 12' x 5' as a minimum from my experience.

**SteelerNation** · 05-14-2013, 09:42

Originally Posted by Agfadoc

I saw that you used 1/4" but they were out of the 1/4 lock nuts at HD, so I settled for all 5/16, but I like the result. I didn't like the amount of play that the 5/16 gave, it's hole is obviously huge, so adapt and overcome.

I was thinking of taking the dremel out and cutting off the excess and grinding it smooth, but I wanted to make sure it works, and it works great.

I just wanted to say that this has been a fun project, and I am pleased to say that I put mine together, set up the hammock, and did not crash dramatically to the ground

This is a very important feature for me

Anyway, I found the instructions to be great, but I do have a recommendation for those of us that aren't quite as talented as Agafadoc with regard to the eye bolt spacer.

I found that if I put six of the 5/16" washers between the two fender washers, they completely filled the gap inside the eye bolt, and I didn't have to do any work

Here is a picture of the components that I used:

Here is the whole thing assembled on the poles:

Thanks again for such a great thread!!!

SN