DIY Checklist and Introduction

**KLHinNC** · 08-04-2011, 12:55

Hi,

I'm KLHinNC, and I am a Hammockolic.

I've had this problem for about a year now, and am just now coming to grips and embracing my addiction.

Hammock is a Grand Trunk camo UL from here.

Using a bug net that drapes over the top here. I may sew one side to the hammock and use snaps or magnets to secure the open side.

Suspension is 6' per side of 1" Polypro webbing, using lightweight brass rings, and some kevlar speargun cord (light, low stretch, high strength).

Tarp is a $10 PU 6'x8' camo tarp that barely covers the hammock on the diagonal, so I am looking at the Oldman Winter. Expensive, but better than anything I can make from Sil on my own right now. Also taking care of my NC peeps.

Ridgeline is 30' of the kevlar cord, siberian hitch knot on one side, trucker's hitch other side, using prusiks and paracord for the tarp attachment. I'm a climber, and I love knots.

Finally to the DIY project, an UQ.

I have an old Ledge 20* rectangular sleeping bag. I plan to cut this up to fit me as a 2/3 or 3/4 UQ. It's a synthetic bag, weighs bout 4lbs, but I bet I can cut it down to size and have it under 1.5lbs. Heavy by down standards, but essentially free. Expect it to be comfortable down to the 30*s with a thin CCF pad as backup for in the 20*s.

Will use my 0* synthetic bag that weights ~3lbs.

I have followed the various writeups, and feel pretty good about the parts and pieces. Here is what I have to put it together.

.125" shock cord for suspension.
1.5" Polypro webbing as sleeves for the shock cord sewn to all 4 sides.
A borrowed sewing machine with a #18 needle. (Yes, I am learning to sew for this project)

Please chime in with thoughts and suggestions.

K

**raiffnuke** · 08-04-2011, 12:59

Nice first post. Welcome to HF from Mass.

**olddog** · 08-04-2011, 13:01

Welcome aboard from Florida. Looks like your off to a good start, enjoy the madness.

**Catavarie** · 08-04-2011, 18:11

Welcome aboard from the Bull City.

Good call on the Oldman Winter, people who have them absolutely love them. As for your DIY project. You could save a bit of weight by using the sleeping bag material to make the channels for the shock cord. Basically you just stich the corners down at 45* angle first then make slightly wider rolled hems to run the shock cord through. Good luck with your conversion, it's a big piece to start with.

**MAD777** · 08-04-2011, 20:08

Welcome from Florida! Sounds like you are already having fun with your hammock!

**dragon360** · 08-05-2011, 07:50

Welcome to the HF from Canada! Sounds like you're ahead of the game.

**FLRider** · 08-05-2011, 08:17

Welcome, and good luck!

**KerMegan** · 08-05-2011, 08:17

I'll agree, using the webbing for shockcord channels is a bit overkill; it only has to support the weight of the quilt, not the whole rig. if you can nerve yourself for the ordeal, you might try some (oddly enough) quilt binding, found at your local sewing/quilting supply place. Having worked at such an establishment; I can tell you the quickest way to get in and out is to tell the first employee you see "My wife sent me for..."
Hope that helps! KM(who has really seen this happen..extra believable if you also bring along a scrap of fabric for 'color matching')

**KLHinNC** · 08-05-2011, 08:32

Stopped by a fabric store last night to pickup some headliner for another project I am doing here. Scored a 3'x7' section of mosquito netting in a really nice dark green color. It's not no-see-um, but will use it for some DIY tarp socks, and maybe a few mesh bags.

While I was there I talked to the staff about some of the thread injection projects I had planned, and they were very helpful. Staff said I could probably fold and thread inject, then fold and inject a second/third time, and it would probably be strong enough. So, now that I have the netting, perhaps tonight I'll make my own tarp socks.

The dimensions I want to use are 6'x14"x7". That should be a good size for an Oldman Winter, when I finally sell some gear off.

I tried to get my girlfriend excited about making gear, hoping she would want to do the thread work for me... sadly no dice

K

**KLHinNC** · 08-05-2011, 08:35

Originally Posted by Catavarie

Welcome aboard from the Bull City.

Good call on the Oldman Winter, people who have them absolutely love them. As for your DIY project. You could save a bit of weight by using the sleeping bag material to make the channels for the shock cord. Basically you just stich the corners down at 45* angle first then make slightly wider rolled hems to run the shock cord through. Good luck with your conversion, it's a big piece to start with.

That's a good idea! I have little experience, but the material on the sleeping bag does seem stronger than on the newer 0* sleeping bag. I'll carve out a 1sqft section and test it out.

K