New DIY Hammock

[GvilleDave]

I just finished my latest DIY hammock. I utilized the HH clone instructions that HC4U posted and modified them based on the instructions from Knotty's gathered end tutorial. Thanks to both of you and all the posters that lent advise in those threads.

First off - let me say the hammock with an attached net was almost as easy as the simple gathered end & a separate bug net. The hardest part for me was the zipper installation - my advise: go slow & don't stretch the zipper or the fabric - keep them lined up and no big deal. I had to remove and restart on part of the zipper because I did stretch and got my allignment off near the end. Easy fix w/ the trusty seam ripper.

I made my hammock out of a single layer 1.9 oz ripstop I bought locally. I also found the olive colored insect net at a local army navy store. Given that I am 6'2" I wanted a big, comfortable hammock. I started with fabric 60" wide x 11' 8" and after seams, etc. the finished length is 11' 5". I installed a fixed ridgeline of 108" that connects through the gathered end to the WS suspension.

Weight:

Hammock: 22.3 oz
WS & Straps: 3.4 oz
Dutch Clips: .8 oz

Total: 26.5 oz

Certainly not ultralight but certainly managable considering the large size and added comfort.

Initial reaction is it lays very flat. In fact I did not even feel the "ridge" under the knees that I often get in my WBBB. Plenty wide, no shoulder squeeze at all.

I also treated the hammock with Permethrin since its single layer.

Here are some pics:











I am really enjoying making my own gear these days. I guess all said and done I have about 6 hours labor in this hammock and about $50 in materials. So if you're counting the value of your time you're better off buying a hammock from a manufacturer like Warbonnet. But, for me I don't count the labor so it feels like a good deal...

[NCPatrick]

Awesome job. Nice reminder about stretching the zipper material too. I like this one a lot. Going to have to get back on the gear-making bandwagon myself after seeing what a great job you did.

[wirerat123]

Very nice looking hammock!

[Lonely Raven]

Very nice looking!

Where did you score that material? My fiance is talking about buying or making a hammock, and that body material would be perfect.

[GvilleDave]

My local Hancock Fabrics stocks the camo 1.9 oz ripstop. The other colors they had were all pretty bright - blues, reds... Unfortunately it was $7 / yd but since there was no shipping it ended up a better deal than ordering. I will be looking out for a coupon to save next time...

[gargoyle]

Looking good in Gville!

[Knotty]

Nice work GvilleDave!

Tell us about the last pic. Did you smooth out the zipper curve at the tie out by moving the actual tie out point away from the material edge or did you add material inside of the tie out?

[GvilleDave]

I added a triangle of extra material that flattened out the turn for the zipper run and reinforced the pull out point. I got the idea from HC4U's HH clone thread - Burning Cedar did the same with his hammock. Here's a pic from his that I used as a guide.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...&imageuser=456

[PKT]

Nice lookin hanger! and yea thanks for the zipper tip, I've avoided zippers so far but
that needs to change. What size is that? The pic makes it look larger than most, I like it.

[GvilleDave]

Thanks PKT - I started w/ 11'-8" long x 60" wide ripstop. After hemming the edges and sewing the channels on the ends the finished length is 11'-5" with a 108" ridgeline. I guess that extra 1'-5" in length really lets this thing open up wide and flat.