Media Platforms Design Team1.) 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 PipesDrill 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 StrapsArrange 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, NapThe 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.«< Squirrel-Proof Bird FeederMedia Platforms Design TeamHot-Box Solar Oven »>Media Platforms Design Team
