Down on the CHEAP???

**jeffjenn** · 03-18-2008, 17:55

Didn't want to hijack Dutch's thread so I thought I would ask opinions here.

What do you all think about this as a source for less expensive down:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220212255984

Works out to $3.13/oz or $50.08/lb shipped for 750 power. Maybe even a little better $ if you watch the auctions. Seems like a possibility

**Coffee** · 03-18-2008, 18:15

It all depends. Based on the description it sounds like it does not contain a lot of feathers. Just keep in mind it is going to be a big mess starting out and harvesting the down. Your likely to lose a little in the processes and make a mess.

I'm not going first and good luck if that's your plan.

**Dutch** · 03-18-2008, 19:41

That doesn't look too bad. You usually don't get a fill amount on pillows and comforters. I wouldn't conciderone without a fill value.
I have bought used down sleeping bags for real cheap on Ebay. I bought 4. One was a military bag and that one was a bust since it is a combanation down and synthetic (a learning experience). It will be real good if I ever need an 11 pound -20 degree bag. Next one I used the down but I noticed that it clumped with time. Third one turned out to be a real nice REI 0 degree bag that is in good shape. I won't cut it so it makes a great loner bag. The last one has pretty good down that I used in one project already and have plenty left. Makes a mess havesting it though.
I think the trouble with poor quality down is that you are better off with synthetic. High quality down beats synthetic IMO except for price of course. I am glad I practiced with harvested down and walmart material before i made the real investment. In any case it is all fun and a learning experience.

Didn't want to hijack Dutch's thread so I thought I would ask opinions here.

You don't have to worry about hijacking my thread. Attroll pays me $1 every time someone replies to my threads.

**TiredFeet** · 03-18-2008, 20:23

they have some interesting information on their down - harvested without killing the geese - makes sense if you want to be able to harvest year after year without raising new birds all the time. They specify 30 oz of 750 fill power. For $80 + $14 isn't that about the same as somebody listed from another vendor, in Seattle I think.

**jeffjenn** · 03-18-2008, 20:46

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/n...wreply&p=53379

The place from Seattle was $80+$15 for 16oz.

**jeffjenn** · 03-18-2008, 20:56

Originally Posted by Dutch

Makes a mess havesting it though.
In any case it is all fun and a learning experience.

HE said the same about making a mess "harvesting" the down. What makes this different than what you get from anyone else? Not being a smart

here I really can't understand. Everything I've seen you guys post about down involves shop vacs, tents, hosiery, & a mess. How much more of a mess are we talking about & why?

**Schneiderlein** · 03-18-2008, 21:03

Originally Posted by jeffjenn

HE said the same about making a mess "harvesting" the down. What makes this different than what you get from anyone else? Not being a smart

here I really can't understand. Everything I've seen you guys post about down involves shop vacs, tents, hosiery, & a mess. How much more of a mess are we talking about & why?

I only have experience with the Speer down. It comes in a small plastic bag and is compressed somewhat. It is easy to grab a handful without much down getting away. I did not use a vacuum for transfer or clean up, since there was nothing to clean up.

In a finished product, the down is not compressed and I think it would be much harder to handle. I have thought about modifying an old spud gun for the purpose. It has a fairly big chamber at the end that could be used with a shop vac to collect the down. My shop vac can be set to blow, so it could also be used to transfer the down. Since the Speer down is so easy to handle by hand, I have not pursued the spud gun modification.

**Coffee** · 03-18-2008, 21:22

I just used my hand to put the down in the kitchen. Worked without a mess for me. The trick was to put the box on the scale, reach your hand in, compress the down in your hand, then slowly put it into the quilt as far as you could comfortably reach in.

Harvesting is a whole nother can of worms.