First time harvesting Down

**Sheff** · 01-11-2015, 02:31

2015-01-10 15.35.22.jpg

Harvested 2.25 pounds of down today from an old sleeping bag I bought at a garage sale. I got it for something like 4 bucks a year and a half ago. I have very little desire to go through that again.

I am excited to make a few items with it. I'm thinking about a pillow and a balaclava. Any easy ways to identify the quality of the down?

**Scotty Von Porkchop** · 01-11-2015, 04:11

It's an awful job isn't it! It'll be worth it, I promise.

I think if there's no discernable feathers it's going to be at least 600 fp and you'll have enough for some really fun down projects like UQ. A pillow in down is obviously a cinch but a balaclava will be difficult if you haven't used down before in a DIY.

Have fun and done get any in your eyes!

**billygoat** · 01-11-2015, 14:00

Yep, did the same last month - PITA.

**tnrdnck** · 01-11-2015, 19:19

Check this thread by Drifter for a good method for handling down.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...1-Working-Down

**Sheff** · 01-12-2015, 02:07

Originally Posted by tnrdnck

Check this thread by Drifter for a good method for handling down.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...1-Working-Down

I looked at that a lot and tried to replicate his work but finally gave up. I decided to just get dirty and go for it.

**Sheff** · 01-12-2015, 02:34

Originally Posted by Scotty Von Porkchop

It's an awful job isn't it! It'll be worth it, I promise.

I think if there's no discernable feathers it's going to be at least 600 fp and you'll have enough for some really fun down projects like UQ. A pillow in down is obviously a cinch but a balaclava will be difficult if you haven't used down before in a DIY.

Have fun and done get any in your eyes!

Good to know on the FP. I think you're right about the balaclava. We'll see if I can find a pattern. This is the closest thing I've found to an idea of how to make one easily: http://theultimatehang.com/2013/05/d...-hood-pattern/

**krshome** · 01-14-2015, 16:58

Get a shop vac and a piece of no-see-um. Take the no-see-um and put it over the hoes connection and slide the extender tube over it. Turn on vac and suck up the down! It will all get trapped in the tube. Stick the tube in the project to be filled and revers and blow it out. Make sure you have a good seal between the project and tube or you will be in a room of feathers. Ask how I know?????