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  1. #11
    Senior Member BrianWillan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mundele View Post
    So I picked up some poplar dowels, 3/4". Couldn't find oak long enough. Tried a hang and CRACK!! They were straight-grained. The sides of my suspension triangles are 26". I weigh 200lbs. What kind of dowels will be strong enough? Should I lengthen the suspension triangle?
    What length spreader bars were you using? Also what is the fabric width of your hammock at the head and foot ends? Lastly what is your suspension triangle side length from the corner of the hammock at the spreader bar to the apex where your hammock suspension goes to the tree strap?

    Just to give you some reference, I have a bridge hammock that started out at 54" raw fabric width at both ends. I have a 36" spreader bar length between notches, and a 30" suspension triangle side length. I am a portly fellow and used 1" hardwood dowels sold at Home Depot. My local one has them in 48" length at I cut them to 37" and cut 1/2" deep notches to fit into the corner rings I use.

    The closer the ratio of spreader bar length to fabric width at either end approaches 1:1 then the longer the suspension triangle length you will need to minimize compression forces on the spreader bar.

    Cheers

    Brian
    Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment. - Unknown

  2. #12
    Senior Member Bic's Avatar
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    Is there a reason people use wood for spreader bars? Why not just get some aluminum poles from a place like quest outfitters....they are pretty darn cheap.
    The camper formerly known as HikingDad...

  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by hikingdad View Post
    Is there a reason people use wood for spreader bars? Why not just get some aluminum poles from a place like quest outfitters....they are pretty darn cheap.
    As the title says, this is a prototype. I can get wood at any store, so why not use it? I hate to order stuff, have to wait, pay another $8 or more in shipping... All to do a test of something I might or might not like...

  4. #14
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    Pole lengths are 40" and 30", fabric widths are 48" and 30" respectively

  5. #15
    Senior Member BrianWillan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mundele View Post
    Pole lengths are 40" and 30", fabric widths are 48" and 30" respectively
    The rule of thumb for suspension triangle side length is no less than 75% of your spreader bar length. In your case a 40" spreader bar would need a 30" (minimum) suspension triangle length. Also with your head end fabric width at 48" I would further increase your suspension triangle side length to reduce compression forces. I would try 33" on that and see how it works.

    As for your foot end it's the same story, but I doubt that your spreader bar length and fabric width are both 30".

    Cheers

    Brian
    Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment. - Unknown

  6. #16
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    Thanks Brian. As soon as the amsteel comes in I should be in business.

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