Help me hang my hammock! (Know anything about aluminum fencing?)

[mattkime]

Its spring time and I have my hammock. Now I need a place to hang it.

Before I go further - I live in Brooklyn. Space is a luxury. I'm lucky to have any backyard at all. Therefore I will hack something together rather than getting a big hulking frame.

We have an aluminum chain link fence enclosing our yard. I would like to hang it in corner of the fence. Actually, I have and while it holds my weight, I'd like to invite someone to join me.

I tie each end about five feet from the corner. It groans a bit when it holds my weight but its not in danger of breaking. Any idea what I can expect the fence to hold like this? Probably not, but perhaps it will spark lively debate. If not, where could I find the fittings to reenforce it at a 45 degree angle?

BOY SCOUT BONUS - I want to make it easy to hang the hammock and bring it back in. I need the perfect knot. I want to make a loop with the end of the hammock rope that isn't going to slip like a noose. I might have known once.

[NewtonMP2100]

Is it a banana hammock?

[rgG]

Well, Newt, he did say that he wanted to ask someone to join him in the 'hammock" so maybe you are on to something there.

[michaelb]

I am pretty good with knots, but I would use two carabiners to hang it, since then you can just clip and unclip it (or s hooks if they would work). If you need loops at the end of the ropes for the clips, then let us know (a bowline is the obvious choice, but there could be others).

Are the fence posts set in concrete? I doubt they are designed to hold up 300 lbs, but if they are in concrete the weak link would be the strength of the poles, and I would guess they would bend before they break.

Good luck.

[mikebw]

Are you tying onto the fence near any vertical supports?

It sounds like you will be exerting more lateral force on the fence than compressive, something aluminum isn't really good for but since you are close to a corner in the fence I would guess it is strong enough. Most fences I have seen like that are pretty sturdy- but this will depend on how tall it is as well.

Only one way to find out for sure, and as was mentioned- it should bend before totally giving way.

[BernDog]

michaelb had it right with the bowline if you want a loop that doesn't slip.

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Bowline.htm

[Frank Pardue]

If it was my project I would go buy two 4 X 4 treated wood posts and set them in the ground in concrete. Then drill two holes and install two eyebolt screws, and hook the hammock to the eyebolts. They will be plenty strong to support two people.

[DaviDC.]

A few weeks ago I hung my new hammock in the back yard, from an oak tree to an old metal clothes line pole. As soon as I got in for the 1st time, the pole broke off at ground level. I planted a 4x4 post 32" down & used 80lb of Quikrete to set it, but it flexed a bit too much, so I installed another 4x4 about 2' from the 1st & joined them with 2x6. It's rock-solid now & best of all, the posts & 2x6 were found under my house so all it cost me was a bit of time & 3 bags of Quikrete.