DD Hammock Group Buy Discussion.

[headchange4u]

Once you have your hammock from the group buy, please post any comments in this thread.

[Lone Wolf]

I received my hammock and over all it appears to be a solid hammock. I did notice that all but one of the tabs to hold the mesh are coming off. I was able to give a gentle tug and they just came off. I can see why they did and the fix is very simple. Going into the purchase I knew this was the case with the seconds. My first sewing project will be to reattach the loops. I also plan to add some method to close the second layer. Like my CC Cribs, the hammock is a two layer with one side not sewn together for easy access to add a pad.

Its raining here so I have not hung the hammock to lay in, just strung it up in my office to check it out. I will be using it this weekend and will provide a field report.

The mesh netting is some serious stuff. It seems strong enough to make a hammock out of the material. Much more sturdy than my other hammock's mesh.

[headchange4u]

I thought resurrecting the Hand Stitching Techniques thread (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=623&highlight=hand+sewing) may be handy for those of you who have loose tabs but no sewing machine.

[Lone Wolf]

Here is a pic of the loops. I am looking for suggestion on reattaching. It appears they are sewn under the piece of webbing that crosses the width of the mesh. I don think I will be able to get them under the webbing. Could I just sew them on top of the webbing??

Another thing- Once I cut the frays off the loops, they will be smaller (the opening of the loop). Should I get new webbing or will a smaller loop be ok. I could see where I may need a larger loop if I plan to use sticks as a spreader bar. I intend to use an arrow and carry them as part of the kit.

Any constructive advice is appreciated.

[Ramblinrev]

It looks like you could melt the fray and salvage most of the length. In addition the melt would give a good solid ridge to serve as a sewing base. I would think handsewing the tabs on with some upholstery thread would be the ticket. A smal diameter curved needle would make that fix slick as a smelt. At least that is what I would probavbly use, but then we already have stuff like that in my wife's kit.

[seawolf]

I must have lucked out on my 2 hammocks, all the loops are sewn good, i pulled on each one, they did not come loose. Hung them in my basement, laid in them, for the money they are great hammocks. Thanks HC4U for all your work.
Ken W.

[headchange4u]

It looks like you could melt the fray and salvage most of the length. In addition the melt would give a good solid ridge to serve as a sewing base. I would think handsewing the tabs on with some upholstery thread would be the ticket. A smal diameter curved needle would make that fix slick as a smelt. At least that is what I would probavbly use, but then we already have stuff like that in my wife's kit.

What he said.:p

[Lone Wolf]

Cool- Thanks for the info.

I briefly hung it up at my office using the ADA ramp. Nice and wide and easy to lay diagonally. Quality materials used and nice craftsmenship. I dont count the loops as a negative since it was a second due to the loops stiching. I am going to swap out the webbing for tying the hammock with some extra crazy creek straps I have in the interim.

I am still deciding on a suspension system for all my hammocks. Big Decision!!

I plan to use it anyway this weekend. I can easily elevate the mesh without needing the loops. I will use a smooth river pebble, rubber band & some thin bungie cord until I get a chance to sew them back on.

[angrysparrow]

I got my DD today as well. Thanks for the immediate turnaround shipping, HC4U!

After a thorough examination, it seems that I'm another of the lucky ones. One corner of one single loop is loose, but the rest of the width is sewn tight enough that it won't make any difference. If I hadn't been specifically looking for it, I would have never noticed. Also, I have to echo the earlier sentiments that this seems to be a very well made hammock, and the materials (netting, fabric) appear to be very durable.

Who are they kidding with the shock cord, though? The cord provided is much thicker and stronger than would ever be needed. Now this isn't reasonable to 'complain' about it, since it will certainly do the job nicely, but it is heavier than necessary.

The only viable point of contention I have is the stock webbing. Not only is is astonishingly heavy, but also it wicks water as if it were specifically designed to. :( In a storm, it would clearly take only a short while to transfer dampness to the body of the hammock. So, I will be replacing that right away.

After initial inspection, besides the suspension, I'm more than satisfied with the product. I'm really looking forward to testing out the DD Hammock. :)

*When is a hammock manufacturer going to listen to the members of this forum and adopt one of the newer suspension models that we have proven to be effective and trustworthy? DD Hammocks would do well to consider just that.*

[Tobit]

*When is a hammock manufacturer going to listen to the members of this forum and adopt one of the newer suspension models that we have proven to be effective and trustworthy? DD Hammocks would do well to consider just that.*
What he said, there is enough info from folks on here for a manufacturer to create the perfect hammock in more ways than just newer suspension methods.

[neo]

Here is a pic of the loops. I am looking for suggestion on reattaching. It appears they are sewn under the piece of webbing that crosses the width of the mesh. I don think I will be able to get them under the webbing. Could I just sew them on top of the webbing??

Another thing- Once I cut the frays off the loops, they will be smaller (the opening of the loop). Should I get new webbing or will a smaller loop be ok. I could see where I may need a larger loop if I plan to use sticks as a spreader bar. I intend to use an arrow and carry them as part of the kit.

Any constructive advice is appreciated.

yep thats exactly how mine looked:cool:neo

[neo]

I must have lucked out on my 2 hammocks, all the loops are sewn good, i pulled on each one, they did not come loose. Hung them in my basement, laid in them, for the money they are great hammocks. Thanks HC4U for all your work.
Ken W.

i am glad some one got lucky:cool:neo

[Ripley]

I just opened mine. Add another one to the lucky pile. I have looked over mine three times and have yet to find a flaw to make it a 2nd. Needs a little "airing" out which I'm doing right now. I will look into changing the suspension method as some others have suggested. I am well pleased. Thanks again headchanger.

[neo]

I just opened mine. Add another one to the lucky pile. I have looked over mine three times and have yet to find a flaw to make it a 2nd. Needs a little "airing" out which I'm doing right now. I will look into changing the suspension method as some others have suggested. I am well pleased. Thanks again headchanger.

:)good for you bro:cool:neo

[headchange4u]

I went for a really nice day hike to a little known place outside Berea, Ky called Anglin Falls (http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/anglin.shtml). It was my first time there and it was a really cool spot. I'll post some pics later.

I took my DD Hammock with me to try it out. I sent about an hour reading in the hammock and ended up falling asleep and took a 1 1/2 hour nap. It's a very comfy hammock. I was not immune to the loose tabs on the netting. All of the tabs on one end were firmly attached while 3 tabs came off the other end of the hammock. I plan on removing all the tabs and using some 1/2" or 3/4" webbing to replace the stock tabs. I'm kinda glad that my tabs came off because I think they need to be more widely spaced. It would help to keep the netting out of your face on the sides.

It took me a couple of tries to get it set up correctly. It's been a while since I've set up a hammock without a structural ridge line. I ended up not having much sag when I found the setup that was most comfortable. I was surprised how little stretch there was to the body of the hammock. I think that was one reason it is so comfortable. The length is about perfect for my 5' 10" frame. I took my JRB 11X10 tarp with me and it had great coverage for the hammock.

I am really happy with my hammock. It's built like a tank. I picked up a green CCF pad at a military surplus store a few days ago and I have my Gossamer Gear pads that I think will work well with this hammock. I still haven't decided the best suspension system for the hammock, but it will probably be ring buckles and or cinch buckles. I have no plans on putting a ridge line at the moment.

[Dutch]

I got mine today. Nice hammock. I don't know why it is a 2nd except the seam that attaches the hammock body to the zipper isn't finished. They didn't do a rolled hem and the edge of material is exposed to fraying. Is everyone elses like that? Now let the modifying begin.
1. Suspension is laughable, will change it out with either tri glides or buckles.
2. I will probably add some kind of tie out around the head to pull the body and netting away from my face. I can use a small piece of the bungee that they supply with the netting for a shock cord.
3. Bungee for netting needs replaced with 1/8th" shock cord.
4. a couple of bra clips to hold the bottom layer shut. I noticed the wind would blow it open and it leads to the netting and top layer laying on my face.
5. I may look into putting webbing loops on the 4 outside corners so I can convert it to a bridge ala Griz's DMB style. It won't have a cat cut but it will be easy to try.
6. I may add a ridgeline between the 2 inside loops of the bugnetting and add a nice bugnet pocket. The netting stays so far above you you could hang lots of stuff up there like cheeseburgers.

The hammock feels roomy like my explorer. The material and plenty strong enough and are probably overkill making it a little heavy.

If this hammock was a Brittish WW2 bomber, it would be a Lancaster B.Mk.II (http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-Airplanes/Allies/3-UK/04-Bombers/AVRO-Lancaster/Lancaster-B2.htm) and I would use it to carpet bomb Griz's Sturmvogel (http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-Airplanes/Axis/1-Germany/02-Fighter-Bombers/Me-262/Me-262A-2.htm) factories.

[GrizzlyAdams]

I got mine today. Nice hammock....
If this hammock was a Brittish WW2 bomber, it would be a Lancaster B.Mk.II (http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-Airplanes/Allies/3-UK/04-Bombers/AVRO-Lancaster/Lancaster-B2.htm) and I would use it to carpet bomb Griz's Sturmvogel (http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-Airplanes/Axis/1-Germany/02-Fighter-Bombers/Me-262/Me-262A-2.htm) factories.


I knew I would regret relinquishing my DD token and thereby yield the balance of hammock terror to Dutch. HC4U, there goes your vacation. sorry. :(

:D Grizz :D

[Bender]

Got my hammocks today. I haven't had time to check them out to thouroughly as of yet, but it appears that mine just has lots of white sewers marks on it that will rub right off, tabs looked ok, but then again, I am a hangin' noob. I might end up on my butt if'n I get time to try em out. Hopefully, that will be sooner than later.

Thanks for setting up the group buy, I am quite pleased so far.


Some one show me how to set these things up?? I got biners and 1.5 inch polyester seat belt webbing on the way, as well as a claytor rain fly. HELP!

[fin]

I thought I liked my first DD until I got this one. It turns out that my first DD is actually last years model, and this "2nd" puts it to shame.

First off, for those of you who got one of these in the group buy, if you can believe this, the fabric is actually heavier than last year's model. Seems sturdier and stiffer, as well.

Secondly, the bug netting is also finer and heavier than last year's model. The webbing is still too heavy. Nick, if you are listening out there, replace your webbing with some Amsteel Blue and smc ring equivalent for the hammock side and include some polyester straps to go around the tree - would greatly improve the suspension.

This hammock is even sturdier than my original, and I thought that was a AVRO-685 York (http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-Airplanes/Allies/3-UK/06-Transporters/AVRO-685York/AVRO-685York.htm) , not quite a bomber. Dutch, you are right on with the new one, Lancaster B.Mk.II (http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-Airplanes/Allies/3-UK/04-Bombers/AVRO-Lancaster/Lancaster-B2.htm) would be my equivalent as a WWII bomber for this hammock. We will bury Grizz, now that he has foolishly let us get ahead while he practiced detente. Although I'm sure he is feverishly working in his equivalent of Peenamunde on his "secret hammock." He foolishly showed us his convertible bridge too soon - it will all be ours now!

Third and finally, I can't find anything wrong with my hammock. I checked the tabs, all OK. The fabric edge is exposed on the zipper stitching , just like Dutch reported, but it is on my original DD as well. Everything else is gravy. Some kind of closure will be done on the pad pocket and the webbing will be changed, but I'm not sure what else I'll do yet. Add some storage inside? Probably. I can't wait to see how this one hangs compared to my original DD.:)

[MerryMary]

I got it and hung it yesterday. Everything seems fine. I didn't check the loops until today and only one pulled off. I didn't know how to hold up the netting as I am new to this type of hammock. My Hennesy has ridgeline to hold up net. I will have to research some. Looks very sturdy, good for hubby to try. And very easy to put up, although I will probably also change suspension because of the wicking factor.

thanks again,

Mary

[fin]

At my brother's house today taking care of his yard, and I brought my new DD along to work on while I watered his veggies.

So the first thing I did with my DD was to remove the stock webbing and replace with this:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2486_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3790&c=searchresults&searchid=6677)

Then I sewed back on the tabs that came loose, and added some thread to the ones that didn't.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2470_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3778&c=searchresults&searchid=6677)

Then I added a truckers hitch suspension using plumbers line that I had on hand (1000 lbs):
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2474_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3780&c=member&imageuser=906) http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2471_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3779&c=member&imageuser=906)

Changed out the shock cord with smaller diameter shock cord, and clipped it to my ridgeline:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2485_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3789&c=member&imageuser=906) http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2483_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3786&c=member&imageuser=906)

and hung my hammock.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2477_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3782&c=member&imageuser=906)http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/../gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2480_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/../gallery/showimage.php?i=3784&c=member&imageuser=906)http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/../gallery/files/9/0/6/dscf2482_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/../gallery/showimage.php?i=3785&c=member&imageuser=906)

[Dutch]

Cool mods FF. Your spreader bars really distort the term "straight as an arrow". I slept in my DD last night. It helps be think about the mods I want to do. The netting loops are starting to give. I guess they didn't heat seal the ends and the have a loose weave. I was just going to either rip out the long piece of webbing that goes from the zipper to the other side oan redo it with grossgrain or just cut off the loops and attaching grossgrain loops to the top of the long webbing. It seems to me that they didn't choose very good material for a will designed hammock. The strength of the 2 bottom layers is overkill. The netting is more like a tightly woven screen. You could bungee jump using the netting support. Speaking of support, that webbing is heavy and looks like a lantern wick. By the time I get done trimming, chopping, and cropping it's only going to be a single D.

[fin]

The old version of the DD used grosgrain tabs - don't know why they didn't stick with the grosgrain seam and tab system and went with the nylon tab and seam - I'm going to just sew a strip of grosgrain over the top of their nylon seam with my new grosgrain tabs already sewn in.

This is a hammock meant for heavy use - materials are all heavy duty.

[schmalts]

Got mine Friday and took it up north this weekend. 4 tabs pulled out right away. I like this hammock for the money and I am 6'1" and I have no clue why Neo said it is too short. I had my Clark NA hanging next to it and jumped back and fourth and have to say the DD is 95% as comfortable as my Clark. I am also going to space out the mesh tabs a little more as well. I replaced the webbing with new stuff from some ratchet strap webs and did the double ring system. The wife said she would tackle the web loops on her sewing machine for me.

[fin]

Got mine Friday and took it up north this weekend. 4 tabs pulled out right away. I like this hammock for the money and I am 6'1" and I have no clue why Neo said it is too short. I had my Clark NA hanging next to it and jumped back and fourth and have to say the DD is 95% as comfortable as my Clark. I am also going to space out the mesh tabs a little more as well. I replaced the webbing with new stuff from some ratchet strap webs and did the double ring system. The wife said she would tackle the web loops on her sewing machine for me.

Throw a pad or a thick blanket in the DD pad pocket, and it's 98-99% of the Clark.

[schmalts]

Throw a pad or a thick blanket in the DD pad pocket, and it's 98-99% of the Clark.

I think the DD has one thing that could be changed to make it real nice. They should make the second layer of the bottom a lot looser fit than the upper layer so when you lay on top of the top layer and slid anything in between the layers it was not snug in that space. This way you could put a quilt in there without it getting squashed thin from the weight.

[angrysparrow]

I think the DD has one thing that could be changed to make it real nice. They should make the second layer of the bottom a lot looser fit than the upper layer so when you lay on top of the top layer and slid anything in between the layers it was not snug in that space. This way you could put a quilt in there without it getting squashed thin from the weight.

If that were the case, it would be much less useful for holding a slippery pad in place.

It seems to me that suspending a quilt beneath the hammock is the most effective way to use one rather than laying directly on it.

[Dutch]

If you're going to use a quilt leave your double layer hammock at home.

[fin]

If that were the case, it would be much less useful for holding a slippery pad in place.

It seems to me that suspending a quilt beneath the hammock is the most effective way to use one rather than laying directly on it.


If you're going to use a quilt leave your double layer hammock at home.

Both valid points. The thick blanket in the pad pocket was to create a "cushy" bed, not for insulation. In the warmer weather when the insulation isn't much of an issue, I like to use a blanket in my double bottomed hammocks as something like a "pillow top" on a bed - not only does the fabric of the hammock conform to your shape, but the thick blanket makes the bed a little "spongy", which is very comfortable to me. A pad accomplishes the same thing, just a lot less breathable and usually much thicker.

[neo]

i sent mine off today to my buddy mule skinner.
1.adding new tabs to netting
2.addind a velcro closer for the two bottoms.
3.adding a pull out tab on each side like the henn.hammocks have
4.reinforcing other stitching.
5.making snake skins.
it will then get a new ring buckle suspension by me when it
makes it back.

i will post pics and let everyone no how it works :cool:neo

[OldnSlow]

:)I received my DD travel hammock yesterday, August 8. Thanks again, HC4U, for the group buy. I am actually pleased that the sewing marks are still on the bug netting, as this will help to align the new gossgrain that needs to be added. I could gently pull at least 3 of the loops as was discussed before. I also have some hook and loop left over from the HH safari net project, and will add this to close the second hammock layer. Once I get the bug screen and hook and loop fixes done, I will try the hammock, on a dry night, before I change out the webbing.

[PocketDucks]

Now that people from the group buy have had a chance to try out the their DD hammocks, is there any chance anyone would like to do a review, to let others (like myself) know what they think of them? And what were the most common mods? Thanks!

[oldsoldier]

Pocketducks, I wasnt part of the group buy, but I recently did a suspension mod on mine, removing the tape that came with it & replacing it with the ring buckle assembly. I am just waiting on the ring buckles themselves, expected this week. Once done, I will post something up, as I plan on doing a quick overnighter this weekend.

[PocketDucks]

That sounds fantastic. I can't wait to hear about the trip.