Vic Kulihin

1.) Find Parts

Hit the hardware store to find: three 1-inch-diameter, 10-foot galvanized steel pipes with threaded ends; six threaded 1-inch pipe caps; six 3⁄8-inch-diameter, 4-inch eyebolts, with 11⁄2-inch eyes, nuts and lockwashers; nine ratcheting tie-down straps 12 feet long; three 18-inch ground stakes. You can hang up to three hammocks.

2.) Prepare Pipes

Drill a 3⁄8-inch hole in the center of each pipe cap. Insert the eyebolt and fasten it securely with a lockwasher and nuts. Screw pipe caps onto both ends of the three pipes.

3.) Attach Bottom Straps

Arrange pipes on the ground in a weave pattern as shown in the top view. The pipes must overlap in exactly this way. Adjust three tie-down straps to 8 feet long. Attach each strap to the low point on the three pipe ends, forming an equilateral triangle along the ground.

4.) Mount More Straps

Adjust three additional ratcheting tie-down straps to 12 feet long. Attach a strap to each remaining unstrapped pipe end to make the top triangle. Operate each top strap ratchet a few clicks at a time to shorten the straps. As you tighten, the structure will lift from the ground, seemingly erecting itself—it's almost magical. Stop ratcheting when the top triangle is equilateral at 8 feet per side. Take the three remaining straps and adjust each to about 7 feet long. Connect each strap end from the upper eyebolt to the lower eyebolt most directly beneath it. Operate the ratchet a few clicks at a time to tighten the straps and stabilize the structure. Don't overdo it; a bit of play is fine.

5.) Stake, Nap

The tensegrity hammock stand is freestanding, but it can tip over. Add stability and safety by staking each bottom eyebolt to the ground. Hang a hammock from any of the two top eyebolts. Use ratchets rated to handle more than the nappers' combined weight. Climb in, take a snooze, and dream of perfectly inert static equilibrium—or even geodesic domes.







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