Portable Hammock Stand from Pipe

**Shadowmoss** · 08-04-2010, 23:10

Originally Posted by Geek

The bamboo should be strong and light, I have seen scaffolding built out of it. but where to find bamboo in Canada??

Garden centers? Or order it online?

Or, find something else with light weight and structural rigidity to make the tripods out of. The main idea was that basic boy scout tripods work with a top rail laid across them, with the hammock attached to the top rail. The tripods only need to provide vertical support. the top rail provides the rest. TL's top rail is either 1/2' conduit or fence top rail, I forget which. Her first pipe stand that now stays at home and is used every night is tripods made of 1/2" conduit, so you could try that and just lash them together rather than get all fancy. The main issue is how portable do you need it. The constraint on length is what will fit in your auto (if that's how you plan to use it, to travel), and the competing constraint is how tall you want the stand to be or long horizontally you need. It seems that 10' for the top rail is the shortest that will work for most hammocks, and longer is better. That's why it needs to be sectioned in some manner, to break down into 3'-4' pieces. If it's for home, just use the lengths you need and go for it.

**Shadowmoss** · 08-06-2010, 18:10

Update on buying the ends pieces like my pipe stand is made from:

Tom is taking company-paid instruction in welding as part of the company self-improvement training. My stand was welded using a MIG welder. He's going to be learning to use a TIG welder. He needs projects to work on, so he figures these end caps would be perfect. He also wants to fine tune the machining on how the angled pipes are cut to come together before welding. So, he says that he figures $35/ea or $70 for two to make a stand. This is just the end caps that you would then buy 1" EMT conduit to fabricate the rest of the stand as you see fit. The caps are made from chain link fence top rail, which works like a sleeve perfectly (for the most part) with the 1" conduit. The class will be starting this fall, so timeframe is couple of months to the end of the year at the longest.

There ya go.

**Geek** · 08-06-2010, 18:45

well I think I would like to be in line for a set of these end caps!

**oneonone** · 08-06-2010, 21:45

I'm in for a pair as well!

**Shadowmoss** · 08-06-2010, 23:09

As I found out with the Tyvek buy, please consider that this price DOES NOT include shipping. That can add more to the price than one might think if they haven't shipped in awhile (as I hadn't). I know more about it now. Tom may even know more.

He showed me the jig he made up to weld my stand caps. I think he's excited to get more into welding, and to have an actual project to work on it with. Although, he never seems to be without projects...

I'll keep a tally, and keep you all updated.

**coolkayaker1** · 08-14-2010, 10:18

I have located a steel, ships for free, 2-year warranty with all hardware and pieces alternative that works very well. Not to take any business from the new welder. Shadowmoss's setup works splendidly also.

Here's the link with photos. I just wanted to get this on here for all to study.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=20848

**Shadowmoss** · 08-15-2010, 11:23

All options welcome here.

I posted on that thread why I had mine made the way I did. Basically to get the attachment points higher, and to put the lenthwise bar above me rather than below me. I ended up on my behind last night when I went to get into the hammock in the dark in my bedroom. Grabbed the underquilt instead, and the elastic it was attached to the hammock with set me down on the carpet. This stand has me sleeping in my hammock every night now. At least when I can find it to get into it correctly.