The Skookum Stealth Hammock & Tarp -DIY

**Bags4266** · 03-26-2010, 20:36

Those biners are trick!

**jeffbur** · 03-26-2010, 23:32

i like it that has given me some ideas to try out

**FireFlyburns** · 03-26-2010, 23:53

Originally Posted by Skookum

Skookum Stealth Inside w/ Top Cover Deployed:

w00t!

Camo Slippers!? ha ha NICE!

**Running Feather** · 03-27-2010, 01:50

Originally Posted by Skookum

So you treated it before you are going to start the thread injection?

Yes. The idea of managing a 10'x12' piece of fabric solo would have been looking for trouble in my book. If this silicon application fails, I'll re-apply after it is sewn, using the paint on method with the tarp staked out. Fingers still crossed.

**Knotty** · 03-27-2010, 10:46

Great stuff Skookum. Nice work all around but in particular I like your top cover.

**Skookum** · 03-28-2010, 08:32

After much extrapolation, hypothesizing and gnashing of teeth....I am pretty sure I know what I did wrong on the DIY sil.

Before I dunked the rig in the sil, I folded the fabric repeatedly thinking it to be the easiest way to completely saturate the material. I am convinced that even though I squeezed and squished the fabric, it acted as a multi-layer strainer. I don't think that the "thicker" sil ever made it to the center. I should have kept the fabric unfolded .

**Knotty** · 03-28-2010, 20:58

Originally Posted by Skookum

After much extrapolation, hypothesizing and gnashing of teeth....I am pretty sure I know what I did wrong on the DIY sil.

Before I dunked the rig in the sil, I folded the fabric repeatedly thinking it to be the easiest way to completely saturate the material. I am convinced that even though I squeezed and squished the fabric, it acted as a multi-layer strainer. I don't think that the "thicker" sil ever made it to the center. I should have kept the fabric unfolded .

By Jove, I think you've got it!

Are you going to try again?

**Skookum** · 03-29-2010, 10:40

Originally Posted by Knotty

By Jove, I think you've got it!

Are you going to try again?

Wednesday I am going to give it another try.

**GaHammockGuy** · 03-30-2010, 13:17

Awesome job Skookum

I think when you DIY something like this you take a lot of pride in it and you get what YOU want and not what some manufacturer is willing to sell you.

Fantastic pics as well.

I am trying some SIL this week with more spirits and less silicone to avoid the chunked-up look.

**Skookum** · 03-31-2010, 22:46

DIY Sil - Part Deux

So I re-sil'd my Franken-Tarp today.

What I did different:

1 full tube silicone. (this is a lot of fabric)
eyeballed the mineral spirits. (approx 3 - 1)
Borrowed Knottys idea and whipped the concoction to a froth for 15 minutes by attaching a wire wisk to a speed drill. (worked so much better)
i did not fold it but but kept it loose when dipping.
I did not wring it out, I pulled the fabric through my clinched fist to remove most excess. (kinda like if you were doing paper mache)
Looked at first like I had way too much sil but after the evaporation/drying process it turned out perfect.
Used left over, thickend sil to run a bead along the ridge-line seam.
Set-up tarp outside. Hung at 65* for 9 hours.

Breath test: passed
High pressure water hose test: passed
Water pressure test (Gallon of water for 4 hours) : passed
Odor test: passed

Weight before sil: 18.25 ounces
Weight after sil: 27.20 ounces

Success! It turned out totally different than the first time. Thanks for everyone's help!

Now to the bug-netting:

- Skookum