How safe is this stand?

**buzzbait00** · 03-12-2014, 23:33

I used a design I found on the forums but I made it a lot bigger. There's not a lot of discussion on testing/weight loads on this design.I'm 275 and don't bounce as well as I use to. Do you guys think its a solid stand? What kind of forces (pall park) do you think are on the uprights? Metal stays/braces? Weak points? I used those thin metal pre-drilled strips you find at Lowes/Home depot over by the deck lumber. Each brace has 6 1" screws. 3 on either end.

**gmcttr** · 03-13-2014, 01:00

I'm not a materials engineer so I can't run the calculations.

What I can tell you, is that with a 30* hang angle, the suspension will pull each end with a force equal to your weight. With flatter angles the forces go up rapidly and the angle of the hammock suspension in your photo is considerably less than 30*.

With the low connection points of the metal straps, you have left a fairly long lever to act on them. I would also have more faith if the metal straps were connected with through bolts instead of 1" screws.

What you do have going for you is that there two uprights and straps on each end.

The short version is I don't know if you are going to fall down go boom or not.

I suggest you loosen the hammock suspension to get a 30* hang angle and test carefully.

**The Old Boot** · 03-13-2014, 07:56

Maybe it's the angle of the picture but is that 1x3 you're using there?

**Bannerstone** · 03-13-2014, 08:02

My first thought was that the base pieces looked to be susceptible to splitting at the ends.

David

**bowl-maker** · 03-13-2014, 08:03

I would consider two things:

1) Put a brace across the top to keep the ends apart

2) Hang your hammock higher with more sag

(*) Consider building a turtledog stand instead (lots of people have used them with success)

**buzzbait00** · 03-13-2014, 09:51

I like this design because there wasn't a pole over my head or a pole under my back and was somewhat portable. Its all 2x4's. That's something I don't understand. If I hang my suspension at 30 degrees my Ridgeline sags.

**Michael** · 03-13-2014, 09:54

You can shorten your ridgeline if it sags at 30 degrees.

**gmcttr** · 03-13-2014, 10:35

Another thought...I assume the hammock suspension is looped around both 2x4s (on both ends). You may need a spacer between the legs to keep the noose from tightening and squeezing them in.

In general, I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about the stand, but only testing will tell the tale.

**f k** · 03-13-2014, 10:48

Originally Posted by Michael

You can shorten your ridgeline if it sags at 30 degrees.

I would not permanently shorten it.

It may just mean that the connection points are too close for how high they are. You could shorten them, the uprights that is. That will also reduce the torque a little. If to do not want a pole on top and are still a little worried about the uprights folding in you can stake them out.