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Another Kids Hammock Design - STOWABLE
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thewump
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:50 pm    Post subject: Another Kids Hammock Design - STOWABLE Reply with quote

Hi All,

I was inspired by someone elses hammock that I saw at a recent Colorado Show, and decided that I wanted to make one. A MAJOR design criteria for me though is that it has to break down and stow in an area that is otherwise unused, so here it is..

By building 54 inches long when broken down, it tucks neatly in the pop top housing when not being used and is completely out of the way.

Here's a couple of pics, but more pics and dimensions and basic instructions along with more pics here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/gnoshmepics/VanagonProjects#

In testing:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Stored:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



In a nutshell:

1.25 inch Schedule 40 pipe
2x 50 inch sides
2x 24 inch ends
Corners made out of Ts with one leg cut off, and a slice for the strap to go through
Corners attached to long sides with screws to allow canvas removal for laundry
Routing of straps done so weight on hammock holds end pieces in place
Hang heigth 13 inches.
Hanger "ends" are 3/4 inch pipe with slits cut in them for the straps - then a knot inside.

Cost $25.
Time taken 3 hours.
Time it would take me again 90 minutes assuming the sewing machine is in a good mood.

Best

K
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reluctantartist
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like that set up. Now to get the wife to be ok with the idea of one of the kids using it.
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buildyourown
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bookmarked!
I see one of these in my future when my kid is too big to sleep with us.
The top is cold.
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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

great job and post, thanks for sharing, bookmarked and in my list to do for the near future
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VanWilder
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you all seen this thread? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4683928&highlight=#4683928 Laughing
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thewump
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

VanWilder wrote:
Have you all seen this thread? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4683928&highlight=#4683928 Laughing


Had not, but the first post of this is the hammock that I saw at the Colorado show.. so that's what I was basing mine on, adding the modification for storage.

Thanks

K
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VanWilder
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Throw some rope straps on your knobs so you can open the doors with the child still in the cot.
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thewump
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

VanWilder wrote:
Throw some rope straps on your knobs so you can open the doors with the child still in the cot.


Yes, saw that in the other thread - good call. Have you seen that thread where you can slice a piece out of a bit of pipe and have it latch on to gutter rail? Might do that instead. I don't think I'd open the door with the kid in there, but it should easily hold empty.

K
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climberjohn
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great idea, thanks for posting!

-CJ
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VanWilder
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thewump wrote:
VanWilder wrote:
Throw some rope straps on your knobs so you can open the doors with the child still in the cot.


Yes, saw that in the other thread - good call. Have you seen that thread where you can slice a piece out of a bit of pipe and have it latch on to gutter rail? Might do that instead. I don't think I'd open the door with the kid in there, but it should easily hold empty.

K


Hmmm yea, perhaps notch the knob at the top and it might hold onto the gutter. Interesting,,,, The ropes definitely hold a heavy load.
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thewump
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Playing. This is definitely an improvement, in that it will hold things in place well and allow the doors to be opened, but doors touch the PVC in their travel. That's fine if there's nobody in it, but might be a bit harsh with a kid in there.

I don't see how this can be better though.. I can't find that thread where people were doing this.. I thought it was the favorite mod thread, but it's not.

I experimented with various diamters of pipe, but because the slit has to be about 1/4 inch the smaller the better.. The pipe piece is going to hang over the lip no matter what - not catch and sit above it.

Best so far is this pic: 3/4 inch pipe. 1/4 inch slit. Still stupidly solid.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Anyone got a scrap of 1/2 inch PVC?

K
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

lol Let me check my pipe stash.


How much weight can it hold? 2 small dogs total weight 20 lbs perhaps?
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have 1/2" but it is to small. It covers the gutter rail perfectly allowing no room for the rope or support lines to go through the pipe.


Drill a hole through yours as I think it is the best size. Put your support lines
through close the doors, load a load and open the doors. Put some weight on it and give it a test. I have 3/4" ready to go after your test!!!


This application is great for Westys as they have the fiberglass tops.
Vanagons have a hard shell that is whi I use the ropes I guess.
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thewump
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

VanWilder wrote:
I have 1/2" but it is to small. It covers the gutter rail perfectly allowing no room for the rope or support lines to go through the pipe.


Drill a hole through yours as I think it is the best size. Put your support lines
through close the doors, load a load and open the doors. Put some weight on it and give it a test. I have 3/4" ready to go after your test!!!


This application is great for Westys as they have the fiberglass tops.
Vanagons have a hard shell that is whi I use the ropes I guess.


The flat strap might fit though but I'd have to find a way to keep it there other than tying a knot in the middle. I like straps.

K
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SpudlyHotPotato
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thewump:

I saw at REI they have some of those plastic snap buckles that go onto flat straps.

Here's a hyperlink since I couldn't figure out what they're called.
http://www.rei.com/product/612226

They're inexpensive and I get the idea they're for people who need to hold all their weight/gear while climbing rocks. I betcha you could find someone at REI who would have information for you about the weight limits of these things.

They also have some that come with straps already attached to them, up to 40" long:

http://www.rei.com/product/380046

If you have to sew straps yourself to a custom length, there is some heavy duty thread available for sewing machines that you could just ask the folks at the JoAnn's store (or whatever sewing store) advice on.

I bet these would work great for your project since they're nice and flat.

My husband and I got the idea to get these snaps so we could make a rain/shade shelter for our folding chairs that come with little awnings on top. We have these canopy camping chairs by Kelsyus:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/190-5217792-3...v_XSG10001

When the canopy on the chair is up, there's some snap ends resting on top of the canopy (when folded up, those snaps click together and turn the chair into a backpack out of the arm rests). We thought we could buy some of these snaps and attach them to a home-made rectangular shade cloth/rain fly. Then we could sit with a table in between us and it would make a dry spot on the little table between us, or at least spread the shade around.

(We live in Phoenix and do a lot of camping up North at higher elevations, so even if the weather is nice, the sun is bright and closer to you. Shade's always at a premium).
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thewump
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Those clip in straps would be great to do a simple up and over strap that attaches both sides. I think I'm getting to the point now where I like it, but am going to do a revamp so it's utterly easy to install / uninstall.. at night.. in the dark..

K
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H2O-Box
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like this design for a cot, it's better then the metal pole one I was thinking of...
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