DIY tyvek tarp a no-go at this station for me.

**h0tr0d** · 04-08-2012, 15:40

I checked quite a few threads on tyvek tarps and decided i'd try one for the price that i'd have in it.

12x10 piece of tyvek w/shipping 23.20
grommet kit from walmart - 4.97
550 cord - FREEBIE from my stash
stakes from walmart - 2.50 for 8 on clearance

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total cost - 30.67

results - epic fail

I cut the tyvek into a hex shape first, with the help of my lovely but not overly enthusiastic wife, Candi. After cutting the tyvek, i doubled the edges to make a hem and then placed the grommets on all 6 corners, which was surprisingly easy to do. She and I then placed the hammock over my tarp ridgeline and centered it up. I staked down the sides loosely at first so I could adjust everything as needed, and ran lines out to the ridgeline grommets to pull it all tight. I snugged it all down and sat back and basked in my glorious victory.

WARNING: PICS will not follow any portion of this due to it's most awesome failure.

It stayed taught all through the night and I arose to a beautiful frost at which it laughed at. Later in the day, while working to prepare my garden I noticed a gusty wind, roughly 10 mph so joyously I rushed to the other end of my yard roughly 3 acres wide to the two apple trees that the hammock and tarp are strung between to feast my eyes upon the horrendous failure of the tyvek to hold up to the wind. Not only did the tyvek tear loose from the grommets, it also ripped in several places.

This will be my last endeavor with tyvek. And to see just how many people read this to the end, yes I did wash it in cold water, no soap, for three cycles with bottled water to soften it up. and hung it to dry on my clothes line for several days prior to foolin' with it.

My hammock is a BIAS WW, and I'm now in the market for a good quality tarp to cover it

**JohnSawyer** · 04-08-2012, 15:50

Sorry to hear about your fail... Grommets are a general fail on any tarp...

The round pebble/loop tieout are 100 times stronger.

I say trim the corners, reinforce the corners with some carpet tape and tyvek patches and try again... unless it tore that badly.

Best of luck!

John

**h0tr0d** · 04-08-2012, 16:14

i could repair it John, for sure. I will attempt this once i get some tyvek tape.

**gmcttr** · 04-08-2012, 19:51

Originally Posted by JohnSawyer

...Grommets are a general fail on any tarp...

I cringed when I read "grommet kit...".

**h0tr0d** · 04-08-2012, 19:57

well, upon further inspection, one of the grommets held in place, but the tyvek ripped behind the grommet about 4 inches away from it, tore completely across if you imagine a triangle, with the grommet in towards the "top" point and the tear at the back long side.

**SilvrSurfr** · 04-08-2012, 20:04

Like others have said, I thinked you learned a lot about grommets and nothing about Tyvek. Try wrapping the tie-out over the Tyvek wrapped around a pebble.

**dukedante** · 04-08-2012, 20:50

The pebble rolled in a corner works well. So does using tyvek tape to make a loop for a tie out, much like you'd use webbing on nylon tarps.

**DemostiX** · 04-08-2012, 21:55

Shelter Systems engineers know what they are about. The grip clips from them are primo, distributing forces and protecting your fabric. JRB sells them.

I can't disagree with what's been said about grommets and pebbles.
On Tyvek tape:
Terrific stuff, but as expensive as expected for something expected to hold securely for 20+ years in potentially humid or dry environments, hot and cold not just to Tyvek, but to other materials. But it is not about tensile strength. I believe inexpensive Elmer's water solvent aliphatic --ordinary white -- glue performs well for Tyvek to Tyvek. Just select a waterproof version of the glue.

The olefin fibers wick some of the water from glue to quickly form a pair of tacky surfaces. Press them together with a smooth firm surface, like the top of the handle of a knife.

**Terry_Dodson** · 04-08-2012, 22:34

How about something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200642194321...84.m1438.l2649

**Strung out** · 04-09-2012, 12:30

Working with any material requires the correct construction techniques.
Your use of grommets shows that you did not approach this project correctly.
Thanks for sharing your experience with it.
There are plenty of well built and affordable tarps on the market for you.

I have been happy and dry under a large tyvek tarp in many storms.
It just takes some careful planning for it's properties to shine.
The pebble idea is simple and easy and works well as others have said.

May you have many well protected nights ahead!