Hammock Project Good For Novices

Fri., Aug. 9, 1996

Don And Dave Runyan U-Bild Feature

For do-it-yourselfers without the necessary trees, this hammock frame project makes it easy to set up a hammock anywhere in the yard, porch or patio.

This design uses inexpensive, heavy-duty schedule 40 PVC pipe, which is usually used in plumbing. Required materials include about 60 feet of pipe, 14 PVC elbows, 8 PVC T-fittings, and assorted hardware.

The only tools needed are a hacksaw, drill, screwdriver and wrench.

Hammock slings are available in many retail stores and come in a variety of styles and sizes. The frame pictured here holds a sling measuring 140 inches long when pulled tight, but by altering the lengths of the pipe, slings of different sizes can be used.

Plus, with a little polyester mesh and a needle and thread, do-it-yourselfers can make their own slings.

This project is a good one for beginners. After sawing the pipe to length, assemble the pieces, first without cement to check the fit, then with cement. Drill holes for the eye bolts and attach the sling.

The PVC pipe can be painted any color with an acrylic-resin paint.

The finished frame measures about 140 inches long by 45 inches wide by 40 inches tall. The PVC Hammock Frame plan, No. 699, is $6.50 and includes complete step-by-step directions with 16 photos, an exploded diagram and a shopping list and cutting schedule.

A package of four plans for easy PVC-pipe projects, No. C25, is $14 and includes this hammock frame, a lawn swing, a chaise lounge and an outdoor dining set. A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects for indoors and out is $3.95. Prices include sales tax, postage and handling (for first-class mail, add $1 per item).

MEMO: To order, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383. Please specify plan numbers.

To order, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383. Please specify plan numbers.

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