View Full Version : My take on ZHammock, the GHammock
sparkysko
03-12-2007, 22:02
I'm too cheap to buy an underquilt, and doubt I'll do much winter hammocking, so the ZHammock became the wise choice for me to build, as I already have a foam pad, and I don't want to lay directly on the pad, but shove it between the layers. I did run into some problems when constructing a ZHammock, and made some modifications. The main problem during construction is the difficulty in getting two pieces of material cut to exactly the same length (I don't have a large empty area to do my work), If they're not the same length, when you sew them together, this can be a problem. This method allows you to do a rough cut and trim the excess off later.
Also, anytime I plan on going camping, there are going to be bugs, so for simplicity, and because I'm cheap, I'm sewing the bug net directly onto the hammock. The location of the bugnet also allows it to be stowed away in the 'pocket' of the hammock, or flopped into the hammock when loading it up with a pad. When whipping, I plan on embedding a loop of cord through the whipping so that I can attach a non structural ridgeline with a tautline hitch to tighten it up.
Click on picture for details.
blackbishop351
03-12-2007, 22:39
Looks good, man! Cool idea with the bugnet and the pad pocket!
Is there a specific reason you're staying away from a structural ridgeline? I'm just wondering because I really love mine...
sparkysko
03-12-2007, 23:37
Looks good, man! Cool idea with the bugnet and the pad pocket!
Is there a specific reason you're staying away from a structural ridgeline? I'm just wondering because I really love mine...
I'm cheap and heavy. I don't own any rope that I would be confident would hold as a ridgeline. (I have nylon rope rated to 1200lbs, the heavy stuff they have at home depot). I suppose I could get some rope at REI to do it, but it's mostly just a matter of not having anything that would work.
blackbishop351
03-12-2007, 23:45
I'm cheap and heavy. I don't own any rope that I would be confident would hold as a ridgeline. (I have nylon rope rated to 1200lbs, the heavy stuff they have at home depot). I suppose I could get some rope at REI to do it, but it's mostly just a matter of not having anything that would work.
Gotcha. You can always add one later when/if you come across some cord, too.
headchange4u
03-13-2007, 15:33
Looks like a great design. I can't wait to see pics of the finished product in action.
What is a non-structural ridge line?
blackbishop351
03-14-2007, 10:39
What is a non-structural ridge line?
It's connected to the hammock in much the same way as a structural ridgeline, but it doesn't have any load on it. It can be used to hang gear and keep a bugnet off you. I think Ed Speer uses these on his hammocks now, since Hennessy patented the structural ridgeline.
Just Jeff
03-14-2007, 17:04
As BB says - it doesn't have any load on it. That means a structural ridgeline changes the shape of the hammock and sets a constant level of sag, while a non-structural ridgeline does not. Non-structural ridgelines just hold gear, support a bug net, etc.
Hennessy has patented his type of structural ridgeline, so other hammock manufacturers can't use it...but you can add whatever you want to your own gear. Patents are only enforced against people trying to commercialize a copy.
sparkysko
03-14-2007, 18:00
Well, I've got it finished, except for sewing the bugnet on. I'd take pictures, but the entire thing is olive drab, and I think it wouldn't look too photogenic. Now i'm just trying to figure out how the heck to draw the curves for the bugnet so I can cut it proper. I have a proper sleeping bag zipper, but i question whether or not it's such a good idea to bother with one, it's difficult to seperate/reattach the zipper portion, and I question whether or not I have the dexterity to completely zip myself in.
blackbishop351
03-14-2007, 18:06
Well, I've got it finished, except for sewing the bugnet on. I'd take pictures, but the entire thing is olive drab, and I think it wouldn't look too photogenic. Now i'm just trying to figure out how the heck to draw the curves for the bugnet so I can cut it proper. I have a proper sleeping bag zipper, but i question whether or not it's such a good idea to bother with one, it's difficult to seperate/reattach the zipper portion, and I question whether or not I have the dexterity to completely zip myself in.
Every hammock is photogenic! :p
sparkysko
03-14-2007, 21:20
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/1.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/2.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/3.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/4.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/5.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/6.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/7.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/8.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/9.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/10.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/11.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/12.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/sparkysko/GHammock/13.jpg
**** cats pee'd on it, had to disassemble and wash it, and put it back together. (Used detergent and smooshed it around in the sink, and shoved it in the dryer on high heat - cotton mode).
I temporarily attached bugnetting with clothespins. I don't see any need for a zipper, even without weight, it holds up well enough already, and if it's so windy it starts blowing off, I don't think there will be bugs to contend with. For some reason this design gives pretty floppy sides, moreso than a single layer hammock. Pulling the sides tighter during whipping helped a little bit, but I had to pull them so tight, I couldn't get out of the hammock. I plan on using side tie-outs, and ghetto-rigged some with a quarter shoved in the fabric and cord wrapped around it, kinda like a button. I used a poor knot and it came out the first time I used it, I can't recommend this method if you're going to get *into* the hammock, but it works great for testing. Also one of those pictures is with the pad inserted.
My ridgeline tends to put alot of stress on the sewn together end loops i have in the fabric (picture 1), I made the loop portion 11 inches long. I think shorter would reduce the stress, but I think it would still mostly be there. When I get into the hammock, the ridgeline tightened up a bit, I think the best plan is to tighten it while I'm in it.
Can you use side tie outs if you're in a toploading hammock? Do you disconnect them while you get in, or how does that work?
headchange4u
03-14-2007, 21:44
That looks great. I LOVE the camo netting. Looks like you used the ridge line inside the hammock. Nice. Did you roll whip it or use the standard gathering technique?
You can use side tie outs in a top loading hammock. I just get in as normal, with out unattaching the side tie outs. I attach my side tie outs via small webbing loops sewn to the hammock. I also use one of the JRB micro biners to attch the side tie out bungie cord. That way I can clip and unclip them as needed.
sparkysko
03-14-2007, 21:58
Thanks, I was really giddy when I find those colors/fabrics at walmart. Olive drab is very hard to find (All they had was 19 feet of the 60" wide stuff). I was using the camo cord they sell in the camping department which really blends in well, but that stuff has a breaking strength of like 40lbs, and I ended up snapping it a few times when pulling my whipping tight, so I'm stuck with neon orange cord (rated 300lbs, 3.50$/50 feet at REI)
bungie, there's an idea. I had originally roll whipped, trying to copy the DIY Hennesy Instructions. I guess I did the last fold wrong or something, anywho, the center was extremely tight, and the sides were extremely floppy, so I gave up and used the gathering technique. Not sure what the benefits of the roll method are, it does look alot neater however.
slowhike
03-14-2007, 22:24
that's a nice looking project there, but i'll let the others that are in the HH mode help you w/ the details<g>.
blackbishop351
03-15-2007, 01:06
Yeah I won't comment on the construction details either - I'm in the "stick with my basic homemade" crowd :p I'll definitely give you kudos on your sewing job, though - **** nice-looking stitching there!
headchange4u
03-15-2007, 08:32
The roll whip does give you a tight middle and floppy sides. The tie outs take up the slack in the sides and help spread the hammock out. I, personally like the tight middle as it supports my back and helps me to get flat.
It seems the roll whip takes a little tweaking to get right. HE was having a problem getting it adjusted right. May not be for everybody.
Great job. That's really good work. And I've noticed that olive drab is hard to find also. Weird.