Good places to get silnylon for diy tarp?

**aaronkmckay** · 02-28-2012, 10:04

thanks love the new links to look at! question is this a waterproof low weight fabric?

**MAD777** · 02-28-2012, 10:16

Waterproof - yes
Low weight - no (finished weight of 3 oz/sy)

The lowest weight waterproof fabrics are made from 30 denier, 1.1 oz/sy nylon the has been silicone impregnated with a finished weight of about 1.35 oz/sy. This is called silnylon.

It's darn hard to find that in a camo pattern though. It's also probably not robust enough for a scout troop, but certainly is for an experienced backpacker.

Other considerations are that I find urethane coatings to wear out and crack after extended use.
Urethane is more fire retardant than silnylon - so don't set your tarp on fire!

**aaronkmckay** · 02-28-2012, 13:18

ah cool, didnt see that weight listed and didnt realize there was that much difference between 30D and 40D. Thanks!

**packeagle** · 02-28-2012, 13:44

Noah Lamport has quality 2nds, at the best prices, but they have a 10 yrd min order.

**dukedante** · 02-28-2012, 13:54

Just make that camo nylon you bought into sil yourself: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=2011

**sclittlefield** · 02-28-2012, 15:13

Originally Posted by aaronkmckay

thanks guys....I've seen DIY Gear Supply, def like their prices just wondering if there were places that had some different colors and what not. The green thats on DIY GS is that a dark green or bright green anyone know? Kinda hard to tell on picture.

That green 30d Sil is a very dark green. The 40d Sil is a lighter green.

**aaronkmckay** · 02-28-2012, 15:59

yeah I thought about doing that diy sil but I really dont have a good place to hang it to dry out and I also saw on that thread that it might not really be the safest thing to do....

**aaronkmckay** · 02-28-2012, 16:00

thanks on the color update that helps

**BER** · 02-28-2012, 17:21

Originally Posted by MAD777

Waterproof - yes
Low weight - no (finished weight of 3 oz/sy)

Originally Posted by aaronkmckay

ah cool, didnt see that weight listed and didnt realize there was that much difference between 30D and 40D. Thanks!

I wouldn't go with the nominal weights listed on Rockwoods. They are often approximations rather than true measured weights. And unless they list the weight as oz/sqyd, you have to account for the width as they are talking linear yard. The folks at Rockywoods will weight a sample if you call them.

**thepikey** · 02-28-2012, 17:53

Originally Posted by aaronkmckay

thanks love the new links to look at! question is this a waterproof low weight fabric?

I have this material from Rockywoods in a cadpat pattern. It's an 10x11 cat cut hex and it weighs in at just over 2 lbs. I'm working on getting up the funds for some sil from diygearsupply. Hands down they have become my go to spot for all my diy needs.