Diameter for tarp tube/snake skin

**plaunius** · 05-16-2011, 08:04

I'm making some tarp tubes this week from some extra sil I have around and haven't seen a pair in person. I'm trying to determine the starting and ending diameter needed for each piece. I'm making one set for a MacCat Standard 7' wide and two sets for a pair of Speer WTs I have that are 10' wide.

Anyone have drawn plans for making theirs or have opinions?

Thanks!

**PapaSmurf** · 05-16-2011, 08:12

Here is possibly a starting point for you.
http://www.mydiygear.com/pages/projects/misc/skins.php

**JCINMA** · 05-19-2011, 08:36

Instead of looking at diameter, look at circumference. Set up the tarp as it would be in the snake skin and wrap a string around the rolled up tarp at each end and the middle. That gets your measurements for your tarp.

**lmoseley7** · 05-19-2011, 10:07

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf

Here is possibly a starting point for you.
http://www.mydiygear.com/pages/projects/misc/skins.php

Papa,

Looking at your directions for hammock tubes, what's the purpose of the zip ties? I see where you install them, but not sure why or how they are used.

**PapaSmurf** · 05-19-2011, 10:12

That was the way my HH Snakeskins were made and so I just did it that way too. The zip-ties do give the wide end a certain "springyness" & rigidity.

My guess is that they may help with pulling the skins on or off?

**Detail Man** · 05-19-2011, 12:02

planius, sil will make an ok set of skins because it can't let the air out of the tarp as you furl it. No-see-um makes a better tarp skin because it lets the air out, plus it dries inside and out more easily.

When I made my single "tarp tube" here's my dims for a 10x12 hex tarp.
length = tarp length + 12"
width = 10"
finished size is ~4.5" wide.

To construct it, overlap 6" on each end to form a pocket (to store the ridgeline). Then sew down the length of the tube with a rolled hem. I did not use any gosgrain or stiffener in the ends. It works very well for me, plus it was super simple to cut out and sew.

I like the single tube/skin because it doen't interfere with tarp flyz or figure 9. Just pull the skin off the other end.

**pig.slayer** · 05-19-2011, 18:52

My snake skins for a MacCat standard in SpinnUL are have about a 2" diameter.
The fit is neat but not to tight.
The length is just 1.5" longer each end than the tie out "D" rings.

**SteelerNation** · 05-20-2011, 16:57

I just made a tarp python out of bug netting last night and used a fabric width of 9 inches. I used about an inch of that for the seaming, so I ended up with a tube 8 inches in circumference. It slips on pretty easily but is not too lose either.

At about .9 ozs, not too bad in weight either.

SN