This week I built a Hammock Stand, with my kids, to surprise my wife on Mother’s Day. It’s time for a Maker Break!
Hey guys! Welcome back to Maker Break, where we share our favorite maker videos of the week, and challenge ourselves to build a project of our own! it was really fun. And here’s how I did it.
So this Sunday, is Mother’s Day, and my kids wanted to make something for her. And by Make something for her, they meant I make something for her, and then they help put in a screw and take credit for the whole thing… which I’m fine with.
My inspiration came from one of our favorite Maker couples, WoodBrew, who by the way, just got engaged this week! Congrats you two!
Anyways, their design is a simple 2×4 build, but it was a bit small for the size and type of hammock we were going to buy, so I changed a few things up.
First things first, I got myself 7, 8 foot 2x4s and 2 12 foot 2x4s in cedertone treated wood. I cut all of my pieces to length, and then used my Miter saw to cut the 25 degree and 45 degree cuts.
After that, Kaylee helped me load everything up in our Huskvarna, and drive it around back to the deck where we’d assemble it.
To fasten this monster, we’re using these giant 4.5” Spax lag screws with built in washer head. They’re giant, and take a lot of power to drive, but our little impact was up to the job.
We started by stacking the parts to make the legs, predrilled our holes and then drove in the lag screws.
Once the legs were together, we setup the 12 ft base and screwed those together.
Then we flipped it all on it’s head, and Kaylee held it still while I screwed in the foops.
At the recommendation of the WoodBrew gang, we added these diagonal braces to each end. I was able to cut a 45 degree miter on these, which made them flush with the legs.
Finally, we predrilled holes for the eyelet lag bolt, and screwed them in with the help of a screwdriver.
At the last moment, Cameron showed up too to help us hang the hammock, and well, this is it! Not only is it insanely comfortable, but it looks great on the deck. It’s a really great way to enjoy the property on a beautiful day like this.
OUTRO The stand turned out so much better than I thought it would. I also didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy using it myself. We have a lot of nature back there, and it’s always quiet this far out in the country. There was one small problem though. The little eyelet lags in I used to mount it? They only really went about 2 inches into the wood. And after one too many people got on the hammock at a time, the wood split, and we fell 8 in onto the deck. So I suggest if you build your own, you do so with the over-sized eyelets that come with a bolt on the far end. Then drill all the way through and secure it with the bolt.
Meet a Maker: Caleb
This week we got to meet Caleb from You Can Make This Too! Be sure to watch the video above to catch the video, and check out Caleb’s website here!
Favorite Maker Videos of the Week:
There are several makers who have shared great Mother’s Day ideas. Caleb from You Can Make This Too, had a really cool idea for a special vase. Using his own son’s silhouette as a template, he turned a vase, made from his face! It’s a simple idea, that produced a beautiful piece, that will has such a personal meaning to it. Just perfect man.
For those of you who prefer a bit of metal in your projects, Diresta made a convertible bench. When you’re done benching, and have shifted into hungry, you can easily convert this awesome wood and metal park bench into a picnic table. A bit out of my own skill range, but super cool none-the-less.
And finally, Bob from over at I like to Make Stuff, took a different route when designing his raised garden beds. Composite Decking. The fake stuff that costs a lot, but never needs any maintenance. Bob figures if by spending a little extra on this material, he’ll be making raised garden beds that will last a lifetime. He even designed these really clever corner braces with a built in spike. I dig it.
Alright gang that’s all I’ve got. If you saw a Maker Video that should have been mentioned, do me a favor and link it in the comments below. If you link it, I promise to watch it. Wow that’s dangerous. Be nice.
Thanks to HART for sponsoring this episode and reminding us that we can build anything we can imagine, if we #doitwithhart.