just bought my 1st hammock from craigslist. I'm short of cash, but want to have at least a tarp over me. Has anyone ever used Tyvek house wrap as a tarp? I have some off brand house wrap, and thought I'd try that before spending money on something else...
Tyvek works as far as waterproof, attaching tie out points is an issue tho. You need tyvek tape, and do not sew to tyvek.
Use the tape as an attachment "tool".
WV did an excellent report on this tyvek/tape process...maybe he'll chime in? (check his gallery?, might be some pics there)
Ambulo tua ambulo.
House wrap is noisy, heavy, and not waterproof.
But - it would do as a tarp if you are not going to be enduring ongoing, heavy rain.
I have a tyvek tarptent - it's not house wrap, but a softer version that does not crinkle and isn't as heavy. The maker told me to expect it to wet through in anything more than a night of light rain. You need to seam seal it with PVA adhesive or super glue, not silicone.
Tyvek is great if you need a desert shelter to sleep through during the day - it does not get warm under it, as a nylon tarp/tent will.
Required Reading:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=525
You can wash and dry Tyvek, which gives it a much softer (and quieter) hand. The tape is a must, and if you feel the need to back it up with stitching, use big stitches, which might work.
What you propose is doable...let us know how it goes.
Dave
"Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."~~~May Sarton
On a recent hike with rookies along, there was need for an additional tarp so to keep it cheap I made a polypro tarp based on this thread. Instead of the 2mil poly pro in the linked example, I used a 9x12 3mil and it held up through an 8 hour thunderstorm fine. The total cost,(under $15.00), was based on buying a 9X12 3mil poly painters tarp, clear duct tape to reinforce the edges, and gorilla tape for the tie outs. We used some mason line already on hand as guy lines and were very happy with the results.
I have made a 3x3 meter tarp out of 1443 kite tyvek. I love it. it has worked really well. Its functionally water proof and may have a slight bit of breathability. I have also made a bivy out of the stuff with no ill results. Its just about as light as sil nylon 1.1. One negative is that it does absorb a slight amount of water to increase its weight when wet. It does dry extremely fast though. The 1443 stuff is not noisy compared to home wrap and even spinn. Here is a video of it when I got to ground with it It was a old school trip that one. Canvas and leather pack and wool blanket
Thanks Hitch.
Did you sew or tape your seams on the tyvek?
What are the chances a silicone spray would improve water resistance? or a silicone dip?
Ambulo tua ambulo.
Prior to my DIY tarp, I used a 12x12 piece of housewrap tyvek.
In the light/moderate rainfall scenarios, I've had no issues other than the noise (despite repeated washings).
It worked well.
The best tieouts I've found are small round rocks, or buttons... push the rock through the back side, and larkshead a line around it. I've never had it pull out, and your tieouts are now infinitely variable.
Tyvek isn't super-light, but it worked well for me... I also used a 3x3 piece as a ground pad. Super durable, and a water-resistant place to stow your gear.
"Do or do not, there is no try." -- Yoda
You can also tie the tarp lines to the tarp by gathering the corners and attaching them with a sheet bend knot. This also works well for sheets of plastic which, by the way, make very effective and low cost tarps.
Brian
...and there came to be a day, all too soon, that I became aware that I could travel no more on my long journey. Though I did not arrive where I had planned, I believe that here is exactly where I am supposed to be...
Hey GargoyleOriginally Posted by gargoyle
Yeah the 1443 tyvek sews up fine. The fabric has enough integrity to hold the stitches. I still used 6 per inch and have had no failings. I have not tryed to coat it anything but the silicone I use to seal the ridge and side pulls adhered fine. I think a dip or spray would do fine as I hear you can paint and print and all sorts on to the stuff. 1.2 ish ounces a square yard. That will increase when wet though.
Here is another experiment with the stuff. I made up a synthetic summer underquilt.
Sorry the pics are not the best and the darn thing although it work well (I had it to about 9 C ) It just looks like a nappie for the hammock.
Here is good chart from dupont, the specs are under 1443R
http://industrialpackaging.dupont.co...cts/index.html
http://www.kitebuilder.com/inventory/tyvek.htm has some basic info
Cheers
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