Jeff's version of the IX UQ

[rjcress]

I've updated the IX UQ sticky, but thought I'd also share my post that will follow my work-in-progress in more detail.
http://gear-report.com/how-to-make-a...-camping-myog/

This project looks simple, but is proving more challenging that I expected because of the slippery scrim in the IX.

[MacEntyre]

Wow! The writeup is excellent, and the DIY IX UQ looks first class!

Regarding the slippery IX scrim... I always baste the IX to the nylon cover and treat them as one piece of fabric. That way, I never deal with more than two pieces of fabric. Perhaps that will help...

- MacEntyre

[rjcress]

Wow! The writeup is excellent, and the DIY IX UQ looks first class!

Regarding the slippery IX scrim... I always baste the IX to the nylon cover and treat them as one piece of fabric. That way, I never deal with more than two pieces of fabric. Perhaps that will help...

- MacEntyre

Doh!
Yeah. That would have helped.

[JohnSawyer]

Nice writeup. Any tips on the suspension? I did the same thing: Avoided grosgrain for edge binding, just used the nylon for end and side channels.

The suspension directions just have a loop of shock cord through the edge channels. I had an issue where the UQ would begin to slide towards the middle a bit until I experienced the dreaded CBS...

So, I added loops to the corners for the suspension cord, but kept shock cord in the side channels as the UQ fit better with a small amount of compression... I sewed the ends of the side channels tight against the shock cord and tied in a bead at each end. Seems to work...

Thoughts?

John

[dejoha]

Fantastic write-up! I also love the illustrations -- just what I love: clear and straightforward. Very well-done! This has been added to my DIY to-do list.

[rjcress]

Fantastic write-up! I also love the illustrations -- just what I love: clear and straightforward. Very well-done! This has been added to my DIY to-do list.

Thanks, dude!
Don't know what to say, Dejoha.
I'm glad you like my crude illustration, and the better one that Scott did, but my stuff isn't remotely in the same league as yours.

I hope everyone finds it useful.

[rjcress]

Wish me luck.
I've avoided cold weather hanging since I wasn't equipped for it. With the IX UQ done, I'm in the back yard under my DIY Ogee, in my FrankenBird, wrapped in the IX UQ, with my fleece UQ between the IX and the hammock.
36* now, predicted low of 25*

Inside the hammock I have my fleece TQ and my 15* Kelty bag as a TQ.
Wearing an underarmor shirt, fleece pullover, fleece pants, a stocking cap, and wool socks. Thinking of taking off the fleece top.
Just had to vent the bag to keep from sweating.

Only problem I've had in indoor tests is keeping the UQs around my feet. The UQs tend to want to slide down below my feet. I tightened the bungees on that side, so hoping the fleece UQ will still be around my feet all night.

And for the record, my wife reminded me that she is sure I'm a nut-job.
Funny thing is that I HATE the cold. I'm out here to see if I can stay warm... Not to revel in The briskness of the evening

[MuseJr]

I liked the tarp and the UQ. Very nice looking gear. I'm curious, did your new gear work as good as it looks???

And for the record, my wife reminded me that she is sure I'm a nut-job.
Funny thing is that I HATE the cold. I'm out here to see if I can stay warm... Not to revel in The briskness of the evening

If you don't like the cold and are willing to test out new gear in the cooler temps, you have been bitten bad. (I feel much better reading stuff like that everyday... )

[rjcress]

Test went well.
At 24* my back got just a touch cool. Not even chilly, and not enough to keep me awake.
I was warm enough to take off my fleece pull-over and wool socks as well.
I'll post pics when I have time.

The stuff all worked BETTER than it looks... it all looks kind of rough.
The magic of photography is that the little wandering stitches and stuff aren't readily visible.

[rjcress]

By the way, my wife came out at about 2:30 this morning to check on if I was really in the hammock. She just couldn't believe that anyone would be crazy enough to voluntarily sleep in a hammock in the back yard in sub-freezing temps.
She seemed surprised to find me in the hammock.
I don't drink, go to bars or clubs, gamble, or have a girlfriend... if she didn't think I was really in the hammock, I wonder where she thought I really was?