DIY Cuben Tarp - minimal sewing, using VHB Tape

[MOWOGO '72]

Hey Sarge,

I am getting ready to attempt a 2QZQ type Pole Mod on my HG4S Cuben Tarp and will make the triangular pockets from the same Cuben as the tarp. Planning to sew and use VHB for the pockets. Figure I should use the 3M 94 Primer.
Obviously I will not need a whole 8 oz can and the small tubes would be better to use in an emergency repair kit on the trail.
Question is, on your video you say that the primer tubes did not work well. Was that simply because of the scale of the project or was there another reason? Just wondering if they would be more suitable for this small scale job and to keep for trail repairs.

[SGT Rock]

Hey Sarge,

I am getting ready to attempt a 2QZQ type Pole Mod on my HG4S Cuben Tarp and will make the triangular pockets from the same Cuben as the tarp. Planning to sew and use VHB for the pockets. Figure I should use the 3M 94 Primer.
Obviously I will not need a whole 8 oz can and the small tubes would be better to use in an emergency repair kit on the trail.
Question is, on your video you say that the primer tubes did not work well. Was that simply because of the scale of the project or was there another reason? Just wondering if they would be more suitable for this small scale job and to keep for trail repairs.

Tubes would do OK for that and on the trail. If you plan for this to work I would recommend sewing the pockets to the tarp then laminating some cuben with VHB over the stitching. I think the peel strength on VHB will probably not live up to what you need for a pole pocket. I do have another thing you might want to look into - I did a pole mod without pockets using Dutch Hooks. See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLU6t...ure=plpp_video

You could use a normal pole and attach the hooks to it instead of using trekking poles.

[MOWOGO '72]

Tubes would do OK for that and on the trail. If you plan for this to work I would recommend sewing the pockets to the tarp then laminating some cuben with VHB over the stitching. I think the peel strength on VHB will probably not live up to what you need for a pole pocket. I do have another thing you might want to look into - I did a pole mod without pockets using Dutch Hooks. See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLU6t...ure=plpp_video

You could use a normal pole and attach the hooks to it instead of using trekking poles.

Sarge,

Attached is a .pdf of my plan for the pockets. What do you think?

[SGT Rock]

I think it should work, however, Cuben does not stand up well to abrasion. I would be worried that over time the cup of the pocket would wear through from abrasion caused by the pole.

[MOWOGO '72]

I think it should work, however, Cuben does not stand up well to abrasion. I would be worried that over time the cup of the pocket would wear through from abrasion caused by the pole.

No worries, tarp only gets used 3-4 times a year.
I can't imagine that abrasion would have an affect that fast.

[SGT Rock]

You'll probably love it then. Good luck.

[Jburke1]

thanks for putting the video up. Have been wanting to make some dry bags out of cuben and this really helped.

[WV]

No worries, tarp only gets used 3-4 times a year.
I can't imagine that abrasion would have an affect that fast.

You may find that you end up using the tarp more often, and the abrasion could happen pretty quickly in a windy location. Also, if it doesn't wear through until the second or third year, it's still undesirable. My $ .02.

[oodamn]

So about, what is the cost for making a cubin fiber tarp?

[Clockw3rk]

Nice post! I'm saving for cuben!