Down for DIY UQ?

[Mjprohoroff]

Howdy, I'm looking on Craigslist for gear with down in it to try to make an UQ. I found this jacket size L, for $20. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...w_bottom_links
It's says its 60% down, 40% feathers. Would this make good filler? If not, what should I be looking for?
Thx!
Mike

[lokbot]

for 20 bucks you could get 3 oz of +850 down from wilderness logics. Buying down for an underquilt should be 90+% down. I just made my gf an underquilt that was 46x62 with 9 oz of down in it. I bought the shell from underquilts.com The whole project cost me $115 all I had to do was stuff the down sew one hem and make a suspension. Pretty simple project and way better than trying to salvage down from coats.


-Loki

[Junebugdawn]

for 20 bucks you could get 3 lbs of +850 down from wilderness logics.
-Loki

I think you mean 3 oz, not 3 lbs.

[FLRider]

I think you mean 3 oz, not 3 lbs.

Yeah, if that was 3 lbs...well, "It's a-time ta start hoardin', boys!"

Still, WL is one of the better-priced sources for down around.

[Mjprohoroff]

Great info, thank you Loki. If I order a shell from underquilts.com will it come with something that tells me how much down I need for whatever temp I want? Thx.

[lokbot]

http://underquilts.com/how-to-finish-your-uq/

there are some tables that show how much down you need for different temps. 30% over fill is what most people recommend.


-Loki

[Kemerernick]

What do you think about the pre made underquilt. I'm really interested.

[Mjprohoroff]

Great Thank you! Those prices seem very reasonable. I have 0 experience with sewing, but I just bought an older singer and figure this might be a good project to learn on. Does anyone know of any good online tutorials for the a VERY beginner on sewing and useing a sewing machine? Im sure there is stuff on youtube, but i thought maybe some of you found one that was helpful when starting out. Thx!

[lokbot]

The pre made quilt shell was easy to fill. Since it was going to be 8.5 oz of down and it had 9 baffles I just stuffed an ounce of down in each baffle and pinned it shut. The hardest parts where making the darts straight for the baffles, but after three of them I had it figured out.

For starter projects I'd recommend stuff sacks, gathered end hammock, and maybe a tarp once you feel more comfortable.


-Loki

[HappyHiker]

Howdy, I'm looking on Craigslist for gear with down in it to try to make an UQ. I found this jacket size L, for $20. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...w_bottom_links
It's says its 60% down, 40% feathers. Would this make good filler? If not, what should I be looking for?
Thx!
Mike

75% down 25% feathers = ~550 FP, so that jacket (60% down 40% feather) would be less than 550 FP. I'd estimate ~400 FP or so. Personally I'd advise 550 as a bare minimum. 550 being the least expensive and requiring more (weight) for an equal insulative value , all the way up to more expensive and lightest 950 FP(95% down 5% feather).

Lots of great vendors to purchase from. More expensive, but in return you get service, easy to use prepackaging, save time and know you're getting a quality down.

Alternatives include coats, pillows, blankets etc. Cheaper, but more labor intensive. Also there's the unknown quality of the down (is it really what they advertise?) Lots of threads here in DIY to give you something to think about.

To me a pillow seemed like the easiest alternative. All I needed to do was weigh the down as I pulled it out. I used a My Luxe pillow (has been used in a lot of projects here at HF) and it had very good down (800FP). A recent thread had kmart down pillows as well. Any reputable bedding suppliers pillows should be what they advertise - but you never know.

A few of the Pros/Cons to consider.

I have 0 experience with sewing, but I just bought an older singer and figure this might be a good project to learn on. Does anyone know of any good online tutorials for the a VERY beginner on sewing and useing a sewing machine? Im sure there is stuff on youtube, but i thought maybe some of you found one that was helpful when starting out. Thx!

By Ramblinrev - great stuff!

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ead.php?t=6802