View Full Version : zHammock w/ Side Tie-Outs aka "Mystery Hammock"
headchange4u
01-17-2007, 22:32
Please visit Risk's site (http://www.imrisk.com/zhammock/zhammock.htm) for general insturctions on making a zHammock.
Well I finally got around to making a zHammock using the WalMart "Mystery" fabric (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=418), hence the name (some may say why I choose yellow fabric is the mystery:eek: :D ).
I made it from 2 x 60" wide and 10'10" long pieces of fabric and I ended up with a finished size of 56" wide and ~10.5'. Big comfy hammock. I used 3/4" webbing for the side tie-outs. The tie-outs were added at the point where the sides are sewn together as indicated by the sloppy red arrows in this pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/Zhammocksew.jpg
(This pic is from Risk's site) (http://www.imrisk.com/zhammock/zhammock.htm)
I roll hemmed the sides only on each piece of fabric before I sewed them together. The webbing was sandwiched between the 2 pieces of fabric and then the sides were double stitched together.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/zHammock015.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/zHammock013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/zHammock008.jpg
Opening for the pad:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/zHammock005.jpg
I haven't added the ridge line yet but I played around with the sag a little bit. Adding more sag really makes the hammock open up more. I will post some pics when I get the ridge line added.
slowhike
01-17-2007, 22:46
that looks great... & secure.
nice job.
I fuond mine to be real comfortable, but I've got about a foot more length. I never considered the tie out option. What's the benefit (the newbie sheepishly asks)?
headchange4u
01-17-2007, 23:11
I fuond mine to be real comfortable, but I've got about a foot more length. I never considered the tie out option. What's the benefit (the newbie sheepishly asks)?
The first benefit is that it keeps the sides of the hammock open, giving you more room inside the hammock. More important is that is gives the hammock that asymmetrical shape. It's really easy to lie diagonally in this hammock. I only got to try it out for a few seconds, but it seems like this may be my favorite DIY hammock to date as far as comfort. I hope to do some extended tests with it this weekend.
The side tie-outs were a problem at first because when I first sewed(?) them on they were just loops. When you staked out the sides it would kinda fold the edge of the hammock over. I just flipped the loops down and hand sewed them with the Kevlar thread. Now the loops pull at the edge from 2 points and does a much better job spreading the sides of the hammock out. You can see what I am talking about in the second pic down.
I'm also hoping that my JRB quilts, Tyvek weather sheild, and the top cover (once I add the ridge line) will work on this hammock. I haven't tried them yet but my fingers are crossed:) .
Perkolady
01-18-2007, 00:18
Great job, headchange :cool:
It looks very professional and very sturdy.
Is that straw under there for just incase? :D ;)
Perkolady
That looks great.Nice craftsmanship!!
My zhammock is about the same width and 12 feet long before hemming. I also noticed the outer 6 inches tends to flop over and looks unavailable for use. But, when you angle yourself enough to use it, it seems to stiffen up and works fine.
I also have some mystery fabric enroute and plan a new zhammock. I'm going to make it shorter to reduce weight, put a layer of bugnet on one side and leave the sides unconnected. If required, I will add a zipper and connect the bugnet. Someone reported that this design sealed up at the edges without being connected. We'll see.
I found that putting the pad into the zhammock is a bit of a pain. The sticky nature of the blue CCF pads, leads me to believe that it won't slip out of the open side and having the whole side open will make putting the pad in much easier.
I'll be interested in hearing about your results.I can always sew up the sides and add the tie outs if there is enough benefit to be gained.
Tom
ozarkjeep
01-18-2007, 11:07
I made my hammock out of the same stuff but in grey, I beleive it to be ripstop polyester.
did you use two layers just to locate the underpad?
I like the tie out idea, I may ad some to mine.
My dimensions ( before hemming) 60" x 10'
stoikurt
01-18-2007, 11:29
Great job. I think a ZHammock will be my next project. Nice idea on the tie-outs.
Nice project. I have been thinking about adding them to my DIY hammock. I noticed in my HH that it is cooler when you tie out the sides.
Did you give the hammock an asym shape cut or whipping?
headchange4u
01-18-2007, 19:45
No whipping or asymmetrical cutting. I plan on trying the asymmterical whipping after I try it out with normal whipping.
:) excellent,you are a pro :cool: neo
The Breeze
01-19-2007, 08:07
cool looking hammonk. you couldn't beat that thing with a axe handle. well you could but why not just lay in it ?heheheheh :cool: :D
headchange4u
02-19-2007, 16:44
I made a sock for my zHammock out of scrap material. It has Omni tape slits in the side so that the side tie outs can pass through. You can close these slits so that it can be used with a normal (no side tie outs) Speer type hammock. Silnylon end covers (gray material), untreated ripstop top (tan material), and DWR ripstop bottom (green).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/hammocksock002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/hammocksock006.jpg
Nice and roomy inside:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/Hammock/hammocksock005.jpg
Hopefully i will get to test this system out at the Red River Gorge this weekend. :) If nothing else this hammock setup would win "Most Colorful".
stoikurt
02-19-2007, 16:55
Nice job and nice setting. How do you get in and how do you close it?
headchange4u
02-19-2007, 17:02
Nice job and nice setting. How do you get in and how do you close it?
I have small biners on both side tie outs. To get in and out I simply unhook the side tie out closest to the head area and peel the cover back, get in, pull cover back up, and re-hook the side tie out. I clip the biner on the sock when getting in and out so I can reach the side tie out once in the hammock.
That hammock looks awesome. I still can not get the folding of the ends right on my DIYT hammocks to get that HH feel. I hope somene will show me at Trail Days.
slowhike
04-22-2007, 21:52
That hammock looks awesome. I still can not get the folding of the ends right on my DIYT hammocks to get that HH feel. I hope somene will show me at Trail Days.
attroll... i'll be helping ed speer at his booth so be sure to drop by. i'll look forward to meeting you. ...tim
attroll... i'll be helping ed speer at his booth so be sure to drop by. i'll look forward to meeting you. ...tim
I will drop by, but can not promise that I will remember to ask for help. There is a lot going on that weekend and I will probably forget to ask for help and me getting up there in age does not help either. Please help me if I forget.
slowhike
04-23-2007, 06:19
I will drop by, but can not promise that I will remember to ask for help. There is a lot going on that weekend and I will probably forget to ask for help and me getting up there in age does not help either. Please help me if I forget.
if MY memory doesn't fail me<g>.