Mini-spreader bar on End Channel Hammock

[Redoleary]

Thems some nice proving grounds thats for sure!

[Rothman]

I made some 6" mini bars from solid .5" aluminum for my GT Skeeterbeater UL. They make it much more liveable but it still has a fairly pronounced calf ridge. I tried them rigged several ways with different sags/tensions to find the best outcome. It's a great concept but I think that I'm just going to stick with a larger hammock for comfort. Maybe I'll rig them up on my much larger DIY rig. If that gets any more comfortable, I'm selling my bed!

[olddog]

I tried putting my ENO Guardian on my hammock with the spreader bar and there was just no way it was going to fit with the bar in there. Sitting out on the deck with morning coffee, I thought what if we put it inside the bar?

After a couple more sips of coffee, I came up with a way to spread the ends. I took some shock cord and made loops. These were sewn into the ends of the Guardian sleeve at 90 degree angles to the top and bottom of the sleeve.

The Guardian was placed on the hammock, but not going over the bar. The shock cord then was placed over the bar ends and twisted once to tighten. It fit perfectly. Only problem is that the Guardian ends are only 5" wide when stretched out. My bar is 6" between holes, so I am redoing that.





Ellis

Just what I was pictureing in my feeble mind. Thanks Ellis.

[alrany187]

Just what I was picturing in my feeble mind. Thanks Ellis.

Thanks, olddog. I guess it is true that feeble minds think alike or something like that. This was just a test to see if my idea was feasible. While it worked quite well, there was a few things that need to be addressed.



While the shock cord does stretch the net opening so the hammock can fit, the top and bottom of the opening are still a little slack. Not much, but enough of an opening for the bugs to get inside if they are that desperate for my blood.



Got some ideas and will add pics when I get it figured out.

Ellis

[GrayDog]

Got some ideas and will add pics when I get it figured out.

How 'bout a small piece of velcro to fasten the center through the gap between the tube and Amsteel.

[alrany187]

How 'bout a small piece of velcro to fasten the center through the gap between the tube and Amsteel.

LOVE IT!!! Just got to get some velcro and do some quick stitching. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Ellis

[alrany187]

How 'bout a small piece of velcro to fasten the center through the gap between the tube and Amsteel.

GrayDog,

Got it done and it works like a charm. Here are some pics of how I did it.







Thanks for figuring it out.

Ellis

[GrayDog]

Looks Great!

[berksound]

Since this mod adds some weight, length, and bulk to a hammock, I'm wondering if modding both ends of the hammock is required to reap the benefits, or if just putting a mini-spreader on the foot end is sufficient.

Thoughts, people?

Well I just made a mini spreader bar for the foot end, and thank you, thank you for all the cool work and designs. My sweet spot which was often tricky to find is indeed now huge, I don't need a small pillow under inside knee, etc.

I bet you guys have answered your own questions though, and can give me opinions about whether doing the mod for the head end is worthwhile.

[hppyfngy]

Well I just made a mini spreader bar for the foot end, and thank you, thank you for all the cool work and designs. My sweet spot which was often tricky to find is indeed now huge, I don't need a small pillow under inside knee, etc.

I bet you guys have answered your own questions though, and can give me opinions about whether doing the mod for the head end is worthwhile.

I think it is. Reduces squeeze a little. To me both are marginal improvements, but they are improvements nonetheless.

Worthwhile? I don't have them on my go to hammock. Yet. YMMV