Back to diy monster bridge. Ugh what am I doing wrong?

[GrizzlyAdams]

my $0.05. The closer the width of the fabric under a spreader bar is, the greater the compression force. Same principle as with shallow hang angles. If the spreader is 54" and the native fabric width 60", the width of the finished fabric under the spreader couldn't be more than 57" or so. Not surprised that v1 folded. Another possibility I didn't see mentioned in all the wisdom that preceded this post is DON'T GRAB THE SPREADER BAR when you're in the hammock, e.g., to pull yourself up a little in the body. Not saying you did, but IF you did, snapping poles a likelihood.

As for comfort and hyper-extension on the legs, others spotted the main causes. Ends of the hammock need to be pulled further apart, and either wider spreader bar or narrower fabric under the spreader bar (which you get by cutting the hammock body differently.). If the canvas is heavy I don't think it would be a factor in comfort, except maybe being a bit scratchy!

[bigsig11010]

Thanks grizz. I didn’t pull on the pole but I strayed from the numbers I had figured on. My numbers were at 80%+ but when I ordered poles I ordered longer thinking I could always trim down and that’s where the science and math got the better of me. I just way underestimated the force being applied.

I’ll use another fabric on my next go. I was really fascinated with your recreation of the potters straight spine and I like the look and feel of the canvas and not fighting with slick whispy fabric for a change was nice.