Build a freestanding hammock

Don’t have two strong trees close enough together to hang a hammock? No problem. Build this sturdy hammock stand and create a place to relax in just a few hours. Words & Photos Klaudia Krupa.

You will need

Materials

• 100mm x 100mm treated and dressed pine in the following lengths:
  2 x 265mm (support); 2 x 1200mm (feet); 2 x 500mm (diagonal); 2 x 2000mm (base).
  (Note: If the 100mm x 100mm pine is treated and dressed, it becomes more like 90mm x 90mm.)
• 125mm bugle screws
• 170mm bugle screws
• 2 hammock hooks
• Hammock
• Resene Waterborne Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain in your choice of colour (we used Cedar)

Tools

• Chisel
• Circular saw
• Drill (with 5mm drill bit)
• Drop saw
• Hammer
• Impact driver
• Paintbrush
• Pencil
• Tape measure

Step One: Using your drop saw, cut one end of the 1500mm and 265mm timber lengths to 45 degrees.

Step Two: Take both the 1200mm lengths of timber and mark a line 45mm in each direction from the middle (making two lines 90mm apart). Mark two more lines 90mm along to the left and right of these two lines, which creates three 90mm sections on each piece of timber. With a circular saw set to 4cm, cut along the marked lines and make several small cuts in between the left and right sections, creating two notched sections in both pieces of wood.

Step Three: Using a hammer and chisel, knock out the cut wood slices to create two 4cm-deep notches in each 1200mm length of timber.

Step Four: Lay the two 2000mm lengths of timber parallel to each other and 90mm apart. Fit the 1200mm lengths with the notches slotting in 110mm from each end. Using your 125mm screws and an impact driver, screw the base together at each end.

Step Five: Flip the base over and attach the angled 265mm lengths of timber in the gap between the 2000mm lengths at each end of the base. Put a long screw in from each side, making sure they are not directly opposite to avoid them touching. You may need someone to hold the timber in place, or you can use large clamps.

Step Six: Take the two 1500mm lengths of timber and attach them on an angle as shown. Make sure they are flush with the upright support and aligned at the bottom of the base lengths. Use a 125mm screw from the back of the support as well as 170mm screws from the top and from each side of the base.

Step Seven: Drill some pilot holes for your hooks on the diagonal beams, about 70mm down from the top, and screw the hooks in.

Step Eight: Stain your stand with Resene Waterborne Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain, and allow to dry. Apply a second coat if needed and allow to dry.

Step Nine: Hang the hammock on the stand, lie down and relax!