How to Make a Mayan String Chair
A Mayan string chair is a modified hammock suspended from an overhead structure like a tree branch or ceiling joist. Sitting upright in a Mayan string chair is as relaxing as lying in a hammock. Quality Mayan string chairs can be costly, but you can make your own version of the chair by hanging a rope hammock with a few items from a hardware store or home improvement center. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hardwood board, 2 by 4 inches, 36 inches long
- Drill
- Small string hammock with ring ends
- 2 clip-type carabiners, 3/8-inch steel
- 2 eye bolts, 3/8 inches by 3 inches
- Wrench
- Heavy-duty spring
Instructions
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1
Saw a hardwood two-by-four board to a length of 36 inches. Drill a 1/2-inch hole through the 4-inch face of the board, 2 inches from one end. Drill another hole 2 inches from the other end. Now drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center of the board.
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2
Place a 3/8-inch steel clip-type carabiner in each hole on the ends of the board. Place a 3/8-inch eye bolt at least 3 inches long in the center hole, and attach the nut on one side. Tighten the nut with a wrench.
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3
Locate a ceiling joist where you want to hang the string chair. Drill a 1/4-inch pilot hole into the joist. Screw a 3/8-inch eye bolt into the ceiling joist.
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4
Hook one end of a heavy-duty spring in the eye of the bolt anchored in the ceiling joist. Hook the eye of the bolt in the middle of the hardwood board on the other end of the spring.
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5
Slip one end ring of a small string hammock into one of the carabiners in one end of the board. Slide the other end ring into the other carabiner. Do not use the type of hammock that has wooden spreaders on the ends.
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Tips & Warnings
If the string chair hangs too high off the floor, unhook the eye bolt of the board from the spring. Attach an S-hook to the spring end, and hook a heavy-duty chain to the other end of the S-hook. Using another S-hook, attach the eye bolt of the board to the chain at the point where the chair hangs at the desired height.
Test the stability of the setup by slowly sitting in the loop created by the hammock. Do not suddenly sit down in the string chair, in case it falls.
