Hiking gear -future construction.

[Davidf61]

I've been playing around at home with a few tarps and bivy's, I sort of build prototype things in Tyvek, but when it comes to construction my meagre sewing skills let me down, so what do you do, head for Google.....

Found a couple of vids, one on the way the industry might be going, and another more in my scope of doing things. Interesting to watch, and another case of where technology, in this case adhesives, are changing things dramatically. I've just ordered a selection of adhesives from these vids and will attempt a few more slightly ambitious projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne2J01h1tZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5yGxdJveZk

I've had a "Bilgy Tarp Tent Kit" off Quest Outfitters for some time, but haven't gotten around to trying to build it, looks like I might be able to glue instead!

[CasualNerd]

I'm also short of sewing experience but keen to get started.

At the minimum it would be useful to lightly glue your projects before sewing so you don't need to deal with pins and the final product should be much stronger.

[Davidf61]

I'm thinking for a simple tarp for example, say 8x8, a wide strip to join 2 panels down a ridgeline, and narrower stuff for the hems, some videos seem to suggest these adhesives are stronger than the material they are joining up.
I've just ordered some white silnylon, going to use a black tape for contrast/effect on joins/hems and tie-outs

[andrewa]

Be brave. Practice on some old sheets etc, and once you have your S... Together get in to sewing proper fabric.

It's easy to make a tarp. I've made 4, all of which worked, but my last cuben tarp was actually cheaper to buy that make. It's still going strong, after 5 yrs.

And, if it fails, due to poor construction skills, you can always make another one, constructed a bit better.

A

[ChrisJHC]

Also have a look at https://www.hammockforums.net.
While mainly US participants there’s a few Aussies and Kiwis on there.
They have a lot of good stuff on DIY tarps (and hammocks of course); including a lot of help for complete beginners.


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[ChrisJHC]

...my last cuben tarp was actually cheaper to buy that make...

A

I had a look at a cuben tarp in a shop in Melbourne last week.
$600 AUD!
I had to sit down for 10 minutes after that.

I reckon I could make 3 cuben tarps for that price and, even if I messed 2 up I’d still be ahead.


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[taipan821]

...my last cuben tarp was actually cheaper to buy that make...

A

I had a look at a cuben tarp in a shop in Melbourne last week.
$600 AUD!
I had to sit down for 10 minutes after that.
I reckon I could make 3 cuben tarps for that price and, even if I messed 2 up I’d still be ahead.
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might be worthwhile looking at America for cuben fibre products, they're more widespread and the price seems more reasonable?
I'd recommend getting a roll of calico for practice. practice making large projects, then you can cut the calico down to practice small lengths...painter drop sheets are another good source of cheap fabric.

[Orion]

I had a look at a cuben tarp in a shop in Melbourne last week.
$600 AUD!
I had to sit down for 10 minutes after that.

I reckon I could make 3 cuben tarps for that price and, even if I messed 2 up I’d still be ahead.

Cuben is pretty expensive. Unless those are small tarps you probably won't be making three for that price. Maybe not even two.


I messed around with gluing silnylon for a tent I made. I found, like the guy in that one video, that the bond could be quite strong in one type of seam but really, really weak in another type. I did glue part of tent tent but the load bearing seams I double stitched. Maybe there are better adhesives though.

With a Cuben mid that I made I didn't stitch at all. The double sided tape proved to be strong enough. That was one expensive tent though. And it didn't come out professional looking. It was a learning project. It might have been better if I had paid a bit more and simply bought one.