New DIY Tarp Snakeskins

**coachsmith50** · 12-14-2015, 12:04

I decided to make a new snakeskin for my DIY Tarp. I changed the design a little so that it would be one long Snake Skin. I made it out of 0.9 oz noseeum from Kyle and RBTR. This has to be the easiest DIY project to undertake. The materials are cheap and the sewing is easy. I made a video to outline the process to encourage others to try and tackle it. Here's how I did it. I welcome feedback on the design because I have some leftover materials and I am trying to think of a way to improve the next one. Thanks

**Country Roads** · 12-14-2015, 19:54

I prefer the one long skin, it avoids that darn big air bubble in the middle that a person has to work out. For me, it is faster to sew and faster to use. BTW, yours looks way better than mine. Thanks for making the video.

**dtp2c111** · 12-14-2015, 20:06

Those look great. If I had a thread injector I would make some. If you ever want to make some more to try out designs or whatever PM me and I'd pay you what you think they are worth. Great job. Like the glowline idea.

**gfstanley** · 12-14-2015, 20:28

Nice snake skin and nice video. You may have just sold me on the single skin rather than the double. Thanks!

**EleazarCrusader** · 12-15-2015, 23:03

I did a similar build.. Excellent video.

**Gravity** · 12-15-2015, 23:32

Very clear tutorial, good design, thanks for taking the time to create the video.

**SkyPainter** · 12-15-2015, 23:42

===> Thanks for this! I just got a thread injector (yesterday, in fact!), and was thinking about a first project. This will be it! I have several sets of skins for my tarps, but need one for a new tarp I just got. This well-done video convinced me that even as a rookie gear maker I can do this! I also agree with the 'Single Skin' philosophy, after wrestling with the two-piece skins many times!

Great job, and thanks!

~ SkyPainter

**heywoodja** · 12-16-2015, 11:53

Looks like good DIY project. Any regrets not putting a taper on the skin? Would you still go with 3" diameter?

**woodtwigg** · 12-16-2015, 11:55

I really like this idea and will probably use it for my next set! Thanks for creating the video, good work!

I do have one question. When I've used the two skin style in the past, I could open from the middle and connect my middle tie-outs before opening the rest of the way which was helpful in the wind. I think of skins as being most useful when there's lots of wind flapping everything around. What experience do you guys have using this single skin style in wind? Thanks!!

**coachsmith50** · 12-16-2015, 12:57

Originally Posted by heywoodja

Looks like good DIY project. Any regrets not putting a taper on the skin? Would you still go with 3" diameter?

I thought about putting a taper in it. In thinking about it, the bulk of the tarp is in the middle. When you have two sections that come together in the middle then it is easy to taper the outside edges and leave the middle edges larger. Since this skin slides across the middle of the tarp and then on to the opposite edge, tapering the "leading" edge of the skin would be counterproductive since I was wanting a larger diameter to help make it slide easier.

I really like the 3" diameter. It slides across very easy. I may experiment with the next one having a 2.5" diameter and see if that would be sufficient. I know that 2" works but it was a little tight.