The TurtleDog stand

[hppyfngy]

I hate to say this oldpappy, et al, but if you line things up and get the angles and alignment just so, that hinge won't bend like that.

That being said, it shouldn't affect the functionality of the thing.

hfg

[peanuts]

I hate to say this oldpappy, et al, but if you line things up and get the angles and alignment just so, that hinge won't bend like that.

That being said, it shouldn't affect the functionality of the thing.

hfg

what is the angle it creates when you cut the pieces of the legs??

[Enobuffalo]

Thanks Hppy for the pic and description.

[hppyfngy]

what is the angle it creates when you cut the pieces of the legs??

I don't remember Peanuts. I haven't thought about it since I made the first one and settled on a pattern.

I'll lay a protractor on it when I get a minute. Or if you're clever and have had your nap, you can figure it out from my pattern...

[samsara]

I hate to say this oldpappy, et al, but if you line things up and get the angles and alignment just so, that hinge won't bend like that.

That being said, it shouldn't affect the functionality of the thing.

hfg

Mine didn't bend while set up. Mine bent while I was moving it around and things weren't extended/in place. Angles (and dangles ) and alignments won't help with that... being a bit more gentle and careful will

Dave

[Chigger]

Not to be argumentative, as I don't necessarily disagree, but the end caps do provide an elegant solution.
They provide a single point for attachments and completely eliminate the issue of suspension creeping toward the middle of the ridge pole.
I don't require inner tubes or prusiks or any other trickery. Heck, I don't even have to sub out my whoopies.

I get the reluctance to trust them, but once again, I haven't heard of one failing either.

Honestly, they're as "simple and user friendly" as can be.

HYOH...
hfg

And the cap provides a point for a tarp to be attached. Until one breaks there is no reason not to use them.

[perchancetodream]

Has anyone tested what the breaking strength of those caps are? I hung both my hammock and tarp off of those. I survived on them for two nights. Not that are not close to breaking next time. I don't know. I didn't even think of them breaking.

Has anyone gone to a commercial fencing supply to look at steel end caps?

The residential-grade caps from Big Box home supply stores appear to be cast aluminum of uncertain alloy. While many here have used them successfully, there is at least one post reporting catastrophic material failure. Online search shows commercial-grade rail ends are also available in "semi-steel", "pressed steel" and even stainless steel.

What's semi-steel? A foundry ferrous material made by mixing pig iron and recycled steel, so it has the strength of cast iron and some of the ductility of steel. Pressed steel is formed by stamping - I'd guess these cups are stamped then the tab welded on. It seems likely these would be stronger and less prone to yield failure than the Big Box cast aluminum end caps. Pony up for stainless steel and "no worries, mate" seems highly likely.

I'm putting these on the "fetch the sledge" test bench list.

[old4hats]

I have no caps, and personally think they would useless. Everything works great without them. No caps = no cost = no worries.

[oldpappy]

I hate to say this oldpappy, et al, but if you line things up and get the angles and alignment just so, that hinge won't bend like that.

That being said, it shouldn't affect the functionality of the thing.

hfg

I don't doubt that - I cut it with a hand saw:>)
I don't know when the hinge bent - It's had lots of use and abuse.
I really like this stand and wish I would have made one years ago.

[hppyfngy]

I don't doubt that - I cut it with a hand saw:>)
I don't know when the hinge bent - It's had lots of use and abuse.
I really like this stand and wish I would have made one years ago.

I should have said, in a perfect world the hinge shouldn't bend like that.

But using these stands does put stress on the hinges and at least one of mine has had some similar distress...

Carry on!