How can I make a portable hammock chair stand?

[hppyfngy]

OK, I have looked at the plans above for the mil aluminum poles. Would I need to secure them at the bottom some way or will the weight pulling directly down keep everything in place? Would I basically just secure the poles together at the top and rig a loop to hang the chair on and that's it? I need 6 poles, right? 2 for each leg.

Looking at the ebay listing for these poles, it looks like for 2 sets plus shipping it would be about $65. That doesn't include hardware. I'd really like to spend less than this if I could go down to Lowe's and get something that will work just as well for less $$. I, also, would be open to using recycled items that might be available locally. I'm just not sure what would work. Are there other types of poles or things that could be used for legs that would be sturdy enough? The mil aluminum legs would definitely make it simple, just more than I'd like to spend at the moment.

Yes, the mil sections will work pretty much as you say. I think they can be had for less than $65 though. You should be able to buy two sets for that, but I'll have to look around. They are becoming more scarce than they were before.

That being said, you could do the whole thing in three pieces of chain link fence top rail that we have been using for the top rail of the TurtleDog Stands. Cut them to your needed length.

At $10 each, plus some hardware, you could have a tripod for maybe $35?

The open ends will dig in well enough. You shouldn't have to stake them or anything.

[Junebugdawn]

Thanks! $35 would be way better. Would those be able to be connected halfway so that I could have smaller sections for transporting?

[Junebugdawn]

Nevermind, I see they are tapered to fit together...how convenient. :-)

[Eagle Eye]

I do a bit of bow hunting and last year I came across this hammock seat and it's the most comfortable and compact set I've found. It weighs around 1# 10 oz and packs down to a small 12-14". It has a telescoping metal pole you place on or near the base of a tree that obviously adds most of the weight. I'm thinking you could sew your own seat and maybe substitute a grommet and use a hiking pole or even a stick found in the woods. I have used it on trees ranging from a few inches to several feet. As long as the tree will support you you're good to go. Here is a somewhat humorous promo video for the seat that will give you some idea of how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7KCy9PiKuQ

This looks cool, I think I want a couple of these. But they are a bit expensive. Bet we could make them.

[Junebugdawn]

This looks cool, I think I want a couple of these.

Those ARE cool little seats. Would be easy to sew up one.

[hppyfngy]

Nevermind, I see they are tapered to fit together...how convenient. :-)

Yes, there is a taper on one end so you cut it into two pieces and they fit together.

[Junebugdawn]

That's awesome. I think this is probably the route I will take. Now to hit up a friend who actually has tools. :-)

[gmcttr]

OK, I have looked at the plans above for the mil aluminum poles. Would I need to secure them at the bottom some way or will the weight pulling directly down keep everything in place?...

Looking at the ebay listing for these poles, it looks like for 2 sets plus shipping it would be about $65. That doesn't include hardware. I'd really like to spend less...

As long as you set up on sod or soft dirt, the legs should stay in place. Use rope spread limiters at the bottom if you set up on a hard surface like concrete.

FWIW...6 poles shipped for about $50

[hppyfngy]

That's awesome. I think this is probably the route I will take. Now to hit up a friend who actually has tools. :-)

Just so you know, I don't think anyone has ever tried this idea of making a tripod out of sections of top rail. I know I haven't!

It's just an idea, but I think it should work... (the joint on the top rail sections won't stay together or be as strong as the mil aluminum poles... )

But the mil poles gmcttr points to will definitely work!

Proceed at your own risk, as it were...

[gmcttr]

I do a bit of bow hunting and last year I came across this hammock seat and it's the most comfortable and compact set I've found. It weighs around 1# 10 oz and packs down to a small 12-14".....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7KCy9PiKuQ

This looks cool, I think I want a couple of these. But they are a bit expensive. Bet we could make them.

Those ARE cool little seats. Would be easy to sew up one.

I had seen this chair in earlier post, but never came up with a ready made pole and eventually forgot about it. Seeing it again today, it clicked....try a short painter's pole. So......

I took the chair body from this set up (which is very comfortable once you have it set up JUST right, but always made me fear for my poles)...

IMG_1802 (Medium).JPG

...ran a cord through the bottom channel and cinched it around the painter's pole...

IMG_3816 (Medium).JPG

...and set it up like this...

IMG_3813 (Medium).JPG...which resulted in always sliding down and an uncomfortable seat.

Studying the video led me to replace the whoopie sling in the top channel with the tree strap and back outside to try it hung much lower on the tree...

IMG_3819 (Medium).JPG IMG_3820 (Medium).JPG...this made all the difference and worked very well.

Now I need to refine the connection of the pole to the ripstop as it will wear quickly as I have it in this test setup.

The painter's pole I used is 26" collapsed, 44" extended and weighs 1.2 lbs.

Not bad for a first try with what I had on hand.

I just found Mic's thread on this topic so if there are any comments, please make them over there to stop further hijacking of this thread. Sorry.