The TurtleDog stand

[FontanaHorseman]

My most compact chain link fence top rail system uses 4 sections. I add two of the standard top rail connectors from Lowe's. A layer of duct tape around the ends of the pipe sections before adding the connector makes a nicer fit.

If I am going to be set up for more than a night or two, I sometimes duct tape the connections just to minimize the chance that I forget to check all the connections before retiring.

Thanks Turtlelady!

Do you have a picture of this system? I am trying to design the hinged system but wanted a little more distance between the stands.

[turtlelady]

I have pictures, but no technical expertise to post them. When I can get help with that, I will post, but I keep finding higher priority things to call in those favors on. I have a porous brain for technical stuff related to the computer.

We are beginning to repost information here that is in the Turtlelady thread, but hey, only a few pages to troll through here, SO FAR.

At Lowe's you can bargain for dinged top rail. They will usually give 50% off. That way you can get usable sections cheaply if you plan it right!

[turtlelady]

The connectors work, but are not as nice as the swaged connections. I recommend going with all swaged. They are more solid, and do not get misplaced. I learned that the hard way recently. I eventually found the misplaced connector in my truck, but only after spending a painful night on the floor!

[FontanaHorseman]

At Lowe's you can bargain for dinged top rail. They will usually give 50% off. That way you can get usable sections cheaply if you plan it right!

This is what I am going to try & do. Also using an above idea I am going to cut my poles at 6'6" each then cut the two sections of pipe at 6'6" also.

Make everything nest together then build a bag to carry it all...anyone got a weight on this stand for reference?

Thanks for the help (Turtlelady - I read thru the entire Monster Thread you started and just happened on this one...I like the bamboo idea but this seems so much simpler and I can teach my scouts how to make these - work on Woodwork Merit Badge too!).

[turtlelady]

Humor an old scout leader: at least have the guys make one stand that demonstrates lashed poles alone can make the stand! No lumber, saws, hinges bolts, or bamboo required.

[hppyfngy]

+1

Knowing lashing, even a little bit, is cool.

[FontanaHorseman]

Humor an old scout leader: at least have the guys make one stand that demonstrates lashed poles alone can make the stand! No lumber, saws, hinges bolts, or bamboo required.

Will do! Two tripods lashed and the top rail will be two pieces shear-lashed together! We'll see how it hangs & I'll get some pics too.

Thanks on the Lowes idea - got two slightly dinged rails for just over 50% each and made a toprail that is 13' from end-cap to end-cap...this fits exactly inside the 6'6" tripods. Now need to make a carry bag!

Haven't hung it yet but hopefully will do that tmrw. Hiking in Sipsey Wilderness Area (Alabama) weekend after next so will be backpacking and can't use the stand on this trip - probably use it at Summer Camp! Other leaders get a kick out of me hanging the whole week instead of staying in the cabins...I like the coolness in the hammock as well as much better rest than those old moldy mattresses on GI issue cots from Korea or older vintage!

Thanks for all the help, FH

[hppyfngy]

Thanks a lot!

I have my travel version...

Now I have to make an oversized one for the yard.

[FontanaHorseman]

Finished stand and it works great with WBBB clone & Winter Dream Clone tarp. The extra length is just perfect for the WD tarp!

Cut my wood wrong at top so they do not join together correctly - would work for my sons and their smaller hammocks (puts me too close to the ground) so I will need to re-cut some pieces to get me up higher off ground...not really a problem just looks funny at top.

Two questions:
1) What happens if a high wind hits this when it is not loaded?

2) Has anyone added another tripod plus two center poles and made a three-hammock system using the turtledog stand design? I mocked it up and it looks like the tripods could take two poles under each - just add a second longer amsteel loop so second pole is under first.

Here are the pics!

[hppyfngy]

1) What happens if a high wind hits this when it is not loaded?

A very dangerous kite. (badum-bum)

But seriously folks... I'm going to add a line on both ends of mine to go to ground stakes. Or you could stake the third legs of the tripods. Either one oughtta anchor that puppy.


You could put your images in your gallery instead of an album. Then you will have active links you can copy and paste into the body of your message. Or you can use the button for "insert image" and paste the url of the image in that.



It looks really good, btw.