DIY Gear: Hammock & Bugnet

[@BackcountryBanter]

On my tarp I use a thin line made from the same amsteel material I used on my hammock whoopie slings. I believe it is called tech line. It is very inelastic and super strong. To combat the problem you had, and to keep constant tension on the tarp in the rain, I put little bungee cord rings on all of the corners of the tarp and then attached the guy lines to those rings. My next video will show my entire sleep setup and will highlight these bungees to give you a better idea of what I mean.

[@schitjob]

Thank you for posting this! I'm new to camping, but we have a Jo-Ann Fabrics store down the road and I can work a needle and thread as much as the next guy. Your vid has boosted my confidence that I can make this.

[@rainbowchild63]

Hi!Respect from the trees for tree strap! Thank you!

[@BackcountryBanter]

I did it based off of my hammock ridgeline length so I can't say exactly but I can give you an estimate. It is around 9 ft long and the width is equal to two widths of the tulle fabric. Sorry this isn't more specific, but I never had any "official" dimensions. I would recommend setting up your hammock and then measuring the length between ends (add an extra 6-12" for flexibility). Cut two pieces of tulle in that length and sew them together along both long edges. Hope this makes some sense.

[@BackcountryBanter]

The edges are controlled partially by how you whip the ends of the hammock. An "M" patterned whip leads to lower edges while a "W" style will create tall sides like an ENO hammock. Check out the hammock forums website for more info on that and ways to tweak the edges. For what it is worth, my hammock uses an "M" whip. My next hammock build is mostly just going to be built lighter with lighter material and lighter whoopie slings. Though I am considering making it longer for more comfort.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Definitely. It has kept out all the insects in my experience. Really, the only downside is that you must be a little more delicate with it, as it is a fairly weak material. But, it did last from GA to ME with me so it is certainly strong enough for the job.

[@one234569and10]

Nice setup, and color scheme. Cause you know, color means everything :P I think the only thing I am unsure about is that the bug net is not more permanent. Bugs could possibly get trapped in as you get in, or come in from the foot end. Still pretty cool!

[@darthirradus]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I just finished my hammock today!

[@TheRandomMan210]

How did it go? What tutorial did you use?

[@darthirradus]

+TheRandomMan210 I have used it a lot and works great. I can't remember which tutorial I used. Basically a 4' x 8' sheet of rip-stop supported by 1" woven strap (like back pack straps) around all the edges. Personally, it's too long and I would rather fold it in half lengthwise and sew the ends. tying the ends like the video makes me feel like I'm going to fall out (never did).

[@TheRandomMan210]

ok cool, thats an interesting invention

[@gottaluvtheserenity]

Good looking rig! Concise, factual vid thanks.

[@BackcountryBanter]

The fabric I used was at least 1.3 oz thickness, possibly more (it was a mystery bargain bin find). 1.1 oz, however, is often used to make hammocks and should work just fine. Many people choose 1.1 to make very light weight hammocks. You may have to be a tad more careful with the fabric (i.e. no sharp items in the hammock). My next hammock will likely be made out of 1.1oz.

[@latitude918]

That bug net design is killer. What're the measurements? I wouldn't mind giving that a try myself.

[@BackcountryBanter]

54" is correct. I tried to find the hardiest tulle I could at the fabric store, with the smallest net (hole) size. Not the strongest material but worth the weight savings over noseeum.

[@christinahaydel3191]

Hi there! I just want to give a huge thumbs up for the nice video information youve got here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your vid for more soon.

[@juanfranli]

Hi. This is a great and simple setup you have here. I'd like to build my own, using whoopie slings as a suspension system. How long are the whoopie slings you are using to hang your hammock?

[@jmheist]

thanks for the info! I finished the hammock part of my setup. 1.1oz ripstop, woopie slings and soft shackles. The initial test run showed that there is a lot of stretch in the materials the first use, but it help up pretty well. I hope to get out for an actual night stay in the near future. A side question, my edges pull up pretty high on the hammock (maybe I made it to wide). Did you have any problems with that, or not being able to lay at a diagonal? Any any mods you plan to make on your 2nd?

[@iswatman]

How wide is this hammock? Does it lay flat? I am also a side sleeper and I just can't get that feeling in my ENO double nest, it was a gift. I think I would also like it to be longer, how much longer will you make the next one and why?

[@BrosephRussell]

Nice DIY Gear

[@Comfortlight6Hiker]

Your DIY bug net looks exactly like mine!

[@BackcountryBanter]

Not sure, as I've never tested it. I would say at least 200 lbs, maybe more. The weakest point would be the 1.7 oz/yd ripstop nylon, but I'm not sure what the break strength on it would be. Maybe google could help.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Yup, plenty big and still comfortable.

[@teitzy83]

If it is hard to close the netting from the outside how will it be to close it from the inside? Nice video, thanks!

[@tylerxi3828]

I think a paracord "pulley" would help but you'd still need to tighten it

[@jacob35601]

teitzy83 I don't think he will be holding a camera when he gets in it for the night.

[@torq21]

Thanks for the video! After a year do you still find the hammock length to be adequate?

[@stevedapirate5]

im 6 foot three how much farick would i need for a sym hammock?

[@ggglassman]

Thanks for saying that the bug net was made out of tulle. I have been thinking about how I'm going to bug proof my bunk in my sailboat and I don't want to spend the money on a bug tent that won't fit anyway. I can make something that will work and won't stretch my bank account with tulle but I had never heard about it until viewing this. I went to JoAnn Fabrics looking for tulle and they told me that they sell actual bug netting so I ended up buying that. It was a little bit more money but I think it is well worth it because it's more durable, not much heavier, and I won't have to listen to it from my buddies. Plus it was on sale 30% off and one of the pieces had a small rip, so that one was another 50% off. What can I say..

[@jmheist]

Hey, what thickness is your ripstop nylon? you say 1.3oz in the video, but you didnt seem to sure. I ask because I got a bunch of 1.1 ounce stuff, and now I am wondering if it will hold me.

[@sherekhan53]

does it sinch down as well when closing from the inside?

[@thefabricexchange]

im so thankful for this

[@skylarloeb]

hi, is the tulle effective? against mosquitos? thanks!

[@Half333DeaDd]

where did you get that bug net?

[@RichardBuckerCodes]

I gotta say I'm very impressed... and not having a sewing machine nor the skills I'm jealous. Especially since I just paid about 190USD for a ENO hammock, straps and tarp. Given that the difference between your project and retail is manufacturing labor costs and material. Did you save any money? How much?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Quite a bit! I'd say this setup cost around $50 total (not including labor obviously)

[@RichardBuckerCodes]

might be worth buying a sewing machine after all. Maybe I could make a few bucks on the side too.

[@eriksalazar1272]

Yes, how much weight can it hold? I'm 6 foot 215lbs

[@latitude918]

What Tulle did you use? I see them in different widths. 54" width?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Yup.

[@oliviachastain1035]

How many yards are tulle did you use to make the bug net?

[@BackcountryBanter]

+Olivia Chastain 7 yards should do it. It depends on the length of your hammock though. If your hammock is 10 feet long when set up, just multiply that by 2 and divide that by 3 to get how many yards you'll need.

[@70CadillacMan]

how much weight can it hold?

[@noahchicoine4780]

where did you get your material for the hammock? I know it's rip stop but what kind?

[@BackcountryBanter]

RipstopByTheRoll (bit.ly/2GIU6Ot) is my go to source for everything DIY fabric related. This is a great lightweight hammock fabric: bit.ly/2nIEUrU

[@BackcountryBanter]

Absolutely. Bugs never get in.

[@lukecalls8279]

What is a at through hike

[@artofabric299]

this is superb

[@BackcountryBanter]

Hiking from Georgia to Maine.

[@TanukiParis]

mini cord lock could make you win some weight

[@chefslot]

Cool the first to comment, your going far, take it your on the forums??

[@OzClawhammer]

Geez that's light

[@RichardBuckerCodes]

interesting comment: www.dutchwaregear.com/25-feet-of-dynaglide.html the author writes: "This does not meet out minimums for hammock suspensions."

[@livinglargeandfree8322]

would you be interested in building one for me????

[@BackcountryBanter]

+Brad Cousino Not immediately, but this is something I may be doing in the future.