How do you support a hammock in the house?

**cougarmeat** · 10-28-2013, 13:40

The other day the random photos that show on first visit to HammockForums displayed one of two hammocks suspended in a room (bedroom) of a house. They were attached to a small shelf bolted to the wall.

Amazingly, my housemate - who now loves her (used to be mine - you know how it goes) bridge hammock - agreed that having a hammock option in the guest room could be a definite possibility.

So how does one go about that? what size hardware, etc.

Here's my biggest concern ... we've all found studs (and know a 2 x 4 is actually only about 1.5 inches wide) to hang pictures - no problem if you are off center a bit on the stud. But with a hammock, it is not so casual. If you use big hardware and miss the 1.5 inch center - not good. If the hardware itself is too big, even if you are centered, there might not be enough "meat" left in the wood to hold. If you use small hardware, you have more tolerance to hit the center (act of faith that the nail you used to find the stud is actually in the center) but maybe the hardware is too small for the load.

So, you home ham mockers, any success/failures/advice before I potentially put a big hole in the wall? For example, do you know of any kits that might have the right size hardware perhaps built into a shelf that also provide the right spacing (once one stud has been found)? How high did you put your supports?

Thank you.

**fallkniven** · 10-28-2013, 14:44

Your worrying too much. Here's a video that may help you...

**meckelangelo** · 10-28-2013, 14:51

I just have some eye-bolts into the studs in my spare bedroom. My wife and I can hang side-by-side whenever we want. I used a stud-finder to make certain I hit the middle of the stud, and I pre-drilled the hole 1/8" smaller than the eye-bolt. I hand-turned the eye-bolt in as far as a I could, then stuck a rod through the eye to turn it in the rest of the way.

**cougarmeat** · 10-28-2013, 15:00

What size eye bolt did you use?

**meckelangelo** · 10-28-2013, 15:04

Originally Posted by [email protected]

What size eye bolt did you use?

I think (can't remember for certain) that they were 2.5 inches long, and 3/8" diameter. I think the eye itself has a 1.5 inch diameter.

**meckelangelo** · 10-28-2013, 15:05

Also, thinking back, there's no way I pre-drilled using a 1/4" bit. It had to have been a 5/16" bit, so you'll want to pre-drill 1/16" smaller than the diameter of the eye-bolt, not 1/8", as I had previously stated.

**MightyMouse** · 10-28-2013, 15:10

I wonder if it was the setup Duffy did in our bedroom. Check my gallery, to make sure? And if you want more info, click on his posts, cuz I know he told someone here what he did. If you can't find it, send him a message, he'll answer any questions you have.

kc -- Fulltime Hammocker, thanks to Olddog, Samsara, and Duffy!

**Loki** · 10-28-2013, 15:34

Some have mounted a board horizontally, spreading the load across two or three wall studs

**fallkniven** · 10-28-2013, 15:38

Originally Posted by Loki

Some have mounted a board horizontally, spreading the load across two or three wall studs

That'll also let you put it anywhere, not just where the stud happens to be...

**fallkniven** · 10-28-2013, 15:41

Originally Posted by [email protected]

What size eye bolt did you use?

Doesn't need to be real big. I'm sure the hammock would rip before the eye bolt will stretch open. Whatever size you do grab, just hold the drill bit up to it to find the right one, no need to be scientific with it. Hope to see some pics when you get it...