The Pisgah Dreamer - DIY Hammock

[rb_daniel]

Well, I'm almost finished with my first DIY project. I could have started with a stuff sack, but I decided to do a double layer hammock with bug net instead:lol:

I started with 11 foot-long pieces of 1.1oz ripstop seconds from DIY Gear Supply, which were cut as parallelograms, with the long sides being offset by 6 inches. The pieces were however wide the fabric came, which was between 60-65 inches. The bug net will zip all the way down from the top, and roll up into a peak bag, like the 2QZQ mod #4, only not nearly as well-executed. Getting that third zipper slider on there was a bit of a pain. The whipping is like the Warbonnet whipping, but only using the whoopie sling. This whipping tightens on itself, and seems to work really well.

I gave my HH Exped to my girlfriend (currently on its way back from 2QZQ), because at 6'0", it was a little cramped. The Pisgah Dreamer, however, is really spacious, and super comfy. Like I said, it's a double layer, so I can slip a pad in there until my next DIY project (2 UQs) is done. The ridgeline is also detachable, thanks to the Dutch Ridgeline Biner.

Anyway, here are some pics. I'll post more when it's finished.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6093220911_234cb8f49d_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6093222881_d13ace6dd2_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6093223621_62fb235f2b_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6093224775_1e35e5052c_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6093225731_663b214f44_z.jpg

[dragon360]

Very nicely done!!

[Hangin' Burrito]

Wow! That's a sweet looking hammock. Great job on your 1st DIY project.;)
Good idea about the double layer until you get the UQ's done.
Definitely keep us posted as you go along on it.

[raiffnuke]

Great work! Thanks for sharing.

[hang loose]

Looks great RB. How was the zipper work? A hammock is my next project, which thanks to all the great posts here seems like it will manageable. The thought of zippers has got me a little squeamish though.

[bdbart]

Let's see some pics with the bugnet

[rb_daniel]

Getting one or two sliders on a zipper is really easy. Getting that third one on was a struggle. Not sure how exactly I finally got it on, but it finally went after quite a bit of tugging. I'm sure there's an easier way. Also, my sides are sewn together near the ends to form a bit of a tube, like HC4U's DIY HH instructions. If you're going that route, I would recommend sewing the zippers to the ripstop before sewing the "tube" together. It's a little difficult getting in the corners where the zippers come together.

[rb_daniel]

Let's see some pics with the bugnet

I have to cut it out and sew it to the zipper first. Hopefully doing that tonight. I'll post more pics as it progresses.

[Jazilla]

So the bugnet won't be removable if I am understanding right. Why the 3rd zipper pull?

[rb_daniel]

Not totally removable, because the zipper doesn't separate on the bottom. Didn't feel like searching for sleeping bags with separating zippers that would work. One slider on one side, and three on the other. That way, I can open up the one side, with two of the sliders, and have them in the middle and reachable for easy in and out. Or, I can pull the one slider from the opposite side to the bottom, and all three from the main side all the way down, and then roll the netting up into a small stuff sack connected to the ridgeline at the foot end, so it's practically removed. If you go to the 2QZQ site and look at mod #4, it's the same premise.

[icedfire477]

Nicely done! Making WNC proud

[Jazilla]

This is just me thinking but what if you got a continuous zipper and just made it go from head end to head end. At the foot end you could sew in a piece of fabric like Grizz does on the corner of his rhino hammock. Then you would only need one zipper to achieve the same affect.

[rb_daniel]

This is just me thinking but what if you got a continuous zipper and just made it go from head end to head end. At the foot end you could sew in a piece of fabric like Grizz does on the corner of his rhino hammock. Then you would only need one zipper to achieve the same affect.

You probably could, but I think you'd still need or want more than one slider, so you don't have to reach up or down to the peak of the hammock to find the one slider to pull in order to get in or out. I definitely prefer having two sliders you can place in a more convenient location for entry/exit, but if I were really concerned with weight, I think that would be a good idea.

**EDIT** The more I think about it, I think you could do it with just two sliders, and save the weight of the two additional. That's a good idea; someone should try it.

[sclittlefield]

This is just me thinking but what if you got a continuous zipper and just made it go from head end to head end. At the foot end you could sew in a piece of fabric like Grizz does on the corner of his rhino hammock. Then you would only need one zipper to achieve the same affect.

This is how I've been doing them of late. You still get the dual zipper system, and can move it to either side, depending on which side you want to be the entry/exit side. Then the whole top opens up whenever you want, without that fairly difficult third zipper installation at each side.

Both ways work really well though.

___________________________________________

Oh - and great looking hammock!!!!!!!!!

[rb_daniel]

This is how I've been doing them of late. You still get the dual zipper system, and can move it to either side, depending on which side you want to be the entry/exit side. Then the whole top opens up whenever you want, without that fairly difficult third zipper installation at each side.

Both ways work really well though.

___________________________________________

Oh - and great looking hammock!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of the materials!

[Jazilla]

Sorry, I meant you would only need two zippers, one less. My mind was thinking two things at once and my hands just went to typing. I have done 2 double zip pulls on all the hammocks I have made.

[rb_daniel]

I'll definitely try that when I make another one. This will work, though.

[Dutch]

That looks like it has a good lay.

[Les Rust]

Looks great, RB. That's the way to jump headfirst in the DIY pool.

[Hangin' Burrito]

Head first is the only way to go!;)

[Jazilla]

Might I suggest installing a second pull out on the head side half way between the end and the current tie out. I find this helps me to get the head end a little more taunt and keeps the bugnet from touching my face.

[rb_daniel]

Thanks for the suggestion. With the netting pinned in place yesterday, it was not in my face at all. I was thinking about more tie outs anyway, though. I'll see how it is once it's sewn.

[rb_daniel]

Well, the netting is now attached, so I just have a few finishing touches. I want to add a small triangular patch where the zippers meet at the top to close off the small gap, I need to make a small peak bag to stuff the netting into when it is unzipped, a larger peak bag for the head end storage, maybe a ridgeline organizer, and then a bishop bag of course.

I'm really really happy with how this has turned out. It is cavernous inside with the netting deployed, and oh so comfortable. Our kitchen scale is M.I.A. at the moment, so I'm not sure how much it weighs, but I'll update the thread when I find it and finish the other items.

Some more pics:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/6096845873_c042d88e1c_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6097391504_4048c073d8_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6096847503_962bbdf8db_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6097393436_018bac5728_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6096849281_bcf71280d9_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/6097395272_e4b345fb21_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6097396552_099422140b_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6096852377_8a9130d3e4_z.jpg

[Jazilla]

Looks as good as it gets. You sure this was your first cause it looks like an awesome job.
Small touch on the black bishop bag. If you add a mesh pocket to the outside you can store your straps and toggles separate from your hammock. I always forget this step till after I make my bags cause I am just so excited to be finished the hammock.

[rb_daniel]

Thanks for the compliment and the pointer on the bishop bag. It definitely needs some pockets. This just goes to show that with all of the projects and help from this forum, anyone can put one of these together. Tons of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

[chickenwing]

That is a great looking hammock. I like how you have put together the bug net. Top notch effort and result on your first DIY project.

[rb_daniel]

So I finally found the kitchen scale. I haven't made a bishop bag for it yet, but I also kind of like the idea of using this dry sack. Anyway, the hammock, whoopies, 2x6' straps, 2x3' extensions, 2 soft shackles, and the O.R. dry sack all comes in just shy of 2lbs. Not too bad.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6124910090_8a5c84d0b1_z.jpg

[Jazilla]

With a ripstop stuff sack I bet you could shave 10oz off that.

[Shug]

Mighty fine looking Pisgah Rig for sure!
Shug

[summerlin18]

nice looking set up! how does the strength of the dutch ridgline biner seem? I was thinking about picking one up, but i like to string the hammock suspension pretty tight so I can hang stuff of the hammock ridgline, and i didn't want to get it for it to just bend out when i use it the first time. I use 7/64 amsteel for the SRL and 1/8 amsteel for the whoopies

[rb_daniel]

It seems plenty strong to me. It's small, but pretty thick. I had it strung pretty tight the other day, and there was no problem. I feel like my Lash It will break before the biner breaks or bends. If you're worried, though, just get a climbing biner.

[rb_daniel]

Only a little lighter with the new stuffsack, but much better functionality.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6127434498_b259f1c7ea_z.jpg

[ljcsov]

So the parallelogram creates a footbox / set diagonal lay? Did you shorten on both "ends" of the shorter side? (i.e. 6" off top, "6 off bottom)

[rb_daniel]

Yeah, the parallelogram creates a bit of a bulge at each end of the diagonal, giving you kind of a "head box" and "foot box" without adding extra material. Here's my original plan:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6127262395_0cd9b40a3f_z.jpg

[summerlin18]

It seems plenty strong to me. It's small, but pretty thick. I had it strung pretty tight the other day, and there was no problem. I feel like my Lash It will break before the biner breaks or bends. If you're worried, though, just get a climbing biner.

Good to know. (Dutch, payment is one the way!) And I am still quite jealous of that bugnet you got there. very nice hammock sir.

[Jazilla]

Make sure its the suspension biner and not the ridgeline biner. The ridgeline dutch biner isn't rated for suspension.

[rb_daniel]

I think he was actually talking about his ridgeline and the ridgeline biner. At least I hope so.

[ljcsov]

Yeah, the parallelogram creates a bit of a bulge at each end of the diagonal, giving you kind of a "head box" and "foot box" without adding extra material. Here's my original plan:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6127262395_0cd9b40a3f_z.jpg

Thanks. Kind of you to post the drawing!

[rb_daniel]

Thanks. Kind of you to post the drawing!

You bet! I wouldn't pay too much attention to the typed instructions, though. If you want to make something similar and have questions, feel free to PM me. Also, this is the youtube video I refer to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJlEQpcbM1I

I just ran the locked brummel end of my whoopie through the channel (like the folded sheet), wrapped it around the fabric twice, tucked the free end under the two wraps, ran the whoopie end through the fixed loop, and dressed it nice and tight. The knot got super tight after laying in it once, and the pressure is on the bunched fabric and not the channel.

[hangNyak]

Yeah, the parallelogram creates a bit of a bulge at each end of the diagonal, giving you kind of a "head box" and "foot box" without adding extra material. Here's my original plan:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6127262395_0cd9b40a3f_z.jpg

So, are you cutting off the parts in black at each end or folding them at that angle. Just trying to wrap my head around it. This is the second diy hammock I've seen with the parallelogram design. I really like the looks of it.

[rb_daniel]

So, are you cutting off the parts in black at each end or folding them at that angle. Just trying to wrap my head around it. This is the second diy hammock I've seen with the parallelogram design. I really like the looks of it.

Cutting. The white is what your fabric should look like before you start hemming, etc. The black is only there to show the total length (11'6") if it was a rectangle.