Basics of Building A Hammock Stand

Hammocks follow the principles of balance. Once you go to the trouble of getting into a hammock, you do not want to face the prospect of falling out of it because the hammock stand has toppled over. Hence, the first point that to keep in mind is the "balancing factor." When this point has been given its due credit, whatever pattern of hammock stand you build will serve your purpose for attaching a hammock to it.


Hammock stands available at the store may be made of metal. While it may have a better look to it, note that it is difficult to make that by yourself unless you are an experienced craftsman and have the necessary material and tools for it. This article will take you through basic instructions for a DIY wooden hammock stand. Similar to other garden projects like building a privacy fence gate, or building a garden chair, a hammock stand may be made from old, used wood or be assembled from balance pieces of wood from previous woodworking projects.

Hammock Stand: Materials and Accessories

As instructed above, a garden hammock stand should be well balanced to keep you in place in the hammock. In addition to this, once your weight is in the hammock, the wood beams supporting the hammock should also be sturdy and not snap. Keeping this in mind, the materials and tools that will be required for building a hammock stand are:

•          

Wood stock for the poles: 4' X 2" x 2" (two pieces)

•          Wood stock for the base: 18" X 8" X 2" (two pieces)*

•          Wood dowels (dowel rods): 8' long X 1½" to 2" thick

•          Hand or machine Saw

•          Galvanized 2" to 3" long bolts: a minimum of 8

•          Brass thread inserts: 8

•          Galvanized ½" to 1" screws for the corner braces

•          Corner braces: thick metal, 8

•          Power drill with drill bit

•          Sandpaper

•          Tape measure

•          Pencil

•          Wood glue

•          Dowel pins (optional) - 1" long, a minimum of 4

•        *  Eye-bolts for holding the hammock: 2


Procedure

The wood stock of this measurement will have to be cut into two pieces as shown in the attached image. Thus the two whole pieces will together yield four pieces cut to measurement 18" X 6" x 2"

 

Step 1:

Measure all the pieces of wood as per the recommendation in this guide. Using a saw, cut the pieces for the base as given in image 3. The advantage of using a whole 18 X 8 X 2 plank of wood is to have no wastage of wood after the wood is cut. Sandpaper all the pieces of wood to give it a smooth finish.

 

 Step 2:

All the wood stock that requires measuring and drilling of holes will have to be done. Measure the exact placing for the pilot holes that will have to be drilled for the fitting of the thread inserts, as well as for screwing in the bolts. The brass thread inserts will have to be inserted into the vertical beams on either side, indicated by the placing of the bolts as seen in the attached image. The brass inserts will have to be at least an inch long and to fit inside a pilot hole of 1/2 inch diameter. The thread insert may be screwed into place using a drill or a T- wrench.

Step 3:

Fasten the pieces together as shown in the above images. The vertical beam will have to be elevated in position so that it gives room for the corner braces to be fitted underneath; hidden from view. Screw the corner braces into position with the help of the power drill and galvanized screws.

Step 4:

By now a set of frames is ready. You will have to connect the two by flat horizontal dowel rods This illustration uses two 96" long (8 feet long) dowel rods. These rods can be from the same blocks of wood stock used for the poles or these may be bought from a hardware store specifically cut to size. Hardware stores sell dowel rods even measuring up to 12 feet long. The dowel rod will have to be attached to the hammock base as shown in the images. These may be screwed down in place with a power drill and galvanized screws, but a better option would be to use thread inserts for these too. It would render a stronger support to the weight on the hammock stand when in use. Dowel pins are an added optional use in addition to the galvanized screws. Once you have affixed the dowel rods, attach corner braces to make these rods steady, rendering additional support to the frame.

Step 5:

The attachment of the dowel rods to the main frame completes the instillation of the diy hammock stand. However, for the entire structure to be functionally complete, the screw-in eyebolts will have to be attached. The eyebolts will have to be strong and well fasted so that it will support the hammock. Varnish or paint your completed hammock as per your wish.

This hammock can now be used and may be placed, both indoors and out. This can also be a great piece of furniture for you to admire birds in your garden that inhabit the birdhouse on a pole that you have built.