Removing down from coat and vest

**avi** · 10-03-2011, 12:50

I was recently given a "hand-me-down" L.L. Bean down jacket and vest with 80% down fill (not sure of the fill power). They are in really great condition and puff up pretty high. I was thinking of how I can turn this into an under-quilt. Do you think it would be wise to source the down from the coat and vest and use it for a DIY under-quilt? and if so what would be the best way to remove the down?

Thanks!!

Avi

**raiffnuke** · 10-03-2011, 12:55

I just did some modifying to my sleeping bag and converted it to a TQ. I recovered the down from the draft collar and the hood. I found that if I used a small mesh bag or mosquito netting and suck most of the bag into the end of a shop vac hose. I would use the drawstring closure to snug it to the end of the hose so it wouldn't get sucked in. Turn on the vac and suck away until the bag is full. Then empty the bag and repeat until all of your down is recovered. Just be sure to aim the exhaust wind away from the down!

I hope this helps you. YMMV.

**avi** · 10-03-2011, 13:03

but once you cut the baffle (there are soo many on a jacket) wont the down just fly everywhere..even before you have a chance to get in there with the hose?

**raiffnuke** · 10-03-2011, 13:05

Not if you use something very sharp to cut it. As long as you work a little at a time, it won't go every where and it is pretty easy to do. And if it does move around, you can just vacuum it right back up. If you have a tent, a good place to do this would be inside the tent, them any drifting down won't make a mess of your house...trust me on this.

**avi** · 10-03-2011, 13:16

how did you store it once you removed it?

**raiffnuke** · 10-03-2011, 13:21

I put it into a gallon size ziplock for now. It is contained and not compressed to it should maintain its loft. I will probably make a small hammock pillow with it tonight.

The worst part of the down collecting was putting into the ziplock, while not difficult, some tended to drift every where..like fluffy snow. That is when I remembered that most people try to do their down work inside a tent. Hind sight is always 20/20.

**wwk10** · 10-03-2011, 13:26

Add velcro or zipper to close arm holes. Add suspension. Use as is
See this thread: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27838

**avi** · 10-03-2011, 19:17

Thats pretty awsome...I have that exact vest just in a Medium...what temps have you gone down with it?

Thinking about use the jacket and have the arms able to be zipped on and off, any idea on how to use two zippers? one to zip on the sleeves and one to close up the hole once that arms are removed.

**wwk10** · 10-03-2011, 20:11

Avi,
That wasnt my thread so I cant answer your questions. I think the biggest draw back is small size. How big is your vest when it is laid open?

**avi** · 10-03-2011, 20:45

oh yeh...just saw that...

so the neck (right side) is around 21" long, the waist (left side) is 46" long, 27" wide, and the hight (lenght) is 39" long. I have never really paid attention to the measurments of under-quilts just that they are full, 3/4, and 1/2. This might work as a 3/4 for me...I am 5'7". What do you think?

Just had another idea...I said that I had both a down vest and down jacket so i just zipped them together and I get a lenght of around 78"...It is kind of a crecent shape because it is narrower at the top but it covers from my neck to my heels. Not sure of the standard width of the