Cat Cut Hex Tarp on the Cheap

**Steve D** · 03-20-2012, 05:45

Looks great from here!! Well done HayJay!

**trippaw** · 04-18-2012, 12:01

Very nice. I've got a brown one that I've thought about doing this to. It's nice to see such detailed step-by-step instructions! Thanks!

As to the crinkly noise, my tarp is well loved and not so loud any more, but still water tight. Kind of like running tyvek through a washer a couple times -- except mine was tied to the back of my pickup at 60 mph.

**Shiver** · 04-19-2012, 03:01

Great article, exactly what I was looking for, nice shape too, I'm going to give this one a go. Thanks buddy!

**nk14zp** · 06-07-2012, 02:50

And all this time I thought I was the only one here that played around with the "redneck" blue poly tarp. Great job and great wright up.

**A.Bottoms** · 06-26-2012, 22:35

thank you for this tutorial, has helped me tremendously with my plans

i think this deserves to be sticky

**texassling** · 12-04-2012, 15:34

Looking at setting up a similar tarp for when I go car camping. Anyone have any thread suggestions? As of now I'm thinking 100% UV protected Poly

**HayJay** · 12-04-2012, 15:37

Frankly I wouldn't get too crazy about the thread, since standard thread probably has about the same UV resilience as the blue poly itself.

**kayakbuilder** · 12-27-2012, 23:05

I love this for a nice budget starter tarp.

My wife just got me a WL Tad Pole for Christmas, but my 9 year-old son needs a tarp for his hammock. I am thinking of going this route or doing something similar with Tyvek. I could check the Harbor Freight tarps or go with an 8x10 blue poly tarp at REI for $7 that weighs 18 oz. The Tyvek 9x9 looks like it weighs 16.2 oz.

Which is going to be a better cat-cut hex tarp, blue poly, or Tyvek? The Tyvek doesn't require sewing, just use Tyvek Tape, but the blue poly is definitely cheaper to make.

**HayJay** · 12-28-2012, 11:23

tyvek is only water resistant. The blue poly is waterproof as long as it is intact.

**Northern Mike** · 02-15-2013, 10:36

Great thread and a huge help for my up and coming tarp project.
I just ordered a ENO DD and am now putting the pieces together for camping. I'm thinking of going with a bit heavier poly tarp which as a thermal reflective side to it.
It gets pretty cool here when it rains and during the spring/fall nights.