Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 27
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Mt. Airy
    Hammock
    ENO DoubleNest
    Insulation
    down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    66

    Buying a tarp vs. DIY tarp

    As of right now I've been using a big blue walmart tarp for weather protection camping on my boyfriends property. It works great, but it's not practical for carrying around. I usually leave it at the spot so it'll be there and ready next time as we camp in pretty much the same spot each time we go. That's all fine and dandy until we decide to switch spots or go to a group hang, and then either I have to lug around the heavy bulky thing or I'm up the creek if it rains. I've been thinking a lot lately about making my own tarp, but I'm not sure about materials. What's the best most affordable, and preferably lightweight material to use? Where can I find the proper material? Then, there's the cost. Is it cheaper to go DIY or just buy one?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Brute1100's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    South Texas
    Hammock
    WWM or tablecloth
    Tarp
    SuperFly
    Insulation
    shamu 40*
    Suspension
    UCR whoopie
    Posts
    2,319
    Images
    1
    Hehehe welcome to the craziness like I said... Diy gear supply is a great place to start, they even have patterns and dimension and what not...

    http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/p...oated-fabrics/

    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=51555

    Is a thread that you need to book mark...

    It is also possible to buy the lighter weight nylon and then make a silicon coating for it with mineral spirits and 100% silicon caulk... Effectively making silnylon for a fraction of cost...
    Live, Laugh, Love, if that doesn't work. Load, Aim and Fire, repeat as necessary...

    Buy, Try, Learn, Repeat

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Mt. Airy
    Hammock
    ENO DoubleNest
    Insulation
    down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    66
    Cool. I'll check them out. Thanks.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Tuck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Dahlonega, GA
    Hammock
    Tablecloth w/ fronkey net
    Tarp
    Toxaway
    Insulation
    TUCKuilt, pad
    Suspension
    Whoopies & straps
    Posts
    318
    I currently don't have a tarp, but I'm thinking that I'm going to try to do this for the FL hang in a couple of weeks.


    http://youtu.be/NqaSYONkTFQ


    Then later on, when I have some more time, I think I'm going to take the plunge and do something like this.

    http://youtu.be/MnAXF7VwLXs
    Last edited by Tuck; 01-06-2013 at 01:39.

  5. #5
    Member Tinkr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Souderton, PA
    Hammock
    DIY digicam 1.8 SL W/ knotty mods
    Tarp
    HG Cuben w/Doors
    Insulation
    HG Phoenix, DIY TQ
    Suspension
    Dutchbling
    Posts
    69
    Images
    30
    I made the diy gear supply hex tarp as per instructions. I think it cost me around $60-80 and it weighs in at just a few ounces over a pound with tie outs and steaks. Id say its a great way to go if youre looking to save cash and have some sewing skills.
    "When somebody moves something in your house, you notice it. When somebody moves something in the woods, I notice it."
    -Tom Brown, Jr.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Mt. Airy
    Hammock
    ENO DoubleNest
    Insulation
    down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    66
    Quote Originally Posted by Tuck View Post
    I currently don't have a tarp, but I'm thinking that I'm going to try to do this for the FL hang in a couple of weeks.


    http://youtu.be/NqaSYONkTFQ


    Then later on, when I have some more time, I think I'm going to take the plunge and do something like this.

    http://youtu.be/MnAXF7VwLXs

    That's neat. I like the painters plastic idea. Didn't even think of that.

  7. #7
    Senior Member JohnSawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Hammock
    WB RidgeRunner
    Tarp
    8x10 DIY (speer)
    Insulation
    KAQ Lost River
    Suspension
    Straps
    Posts
    4,631
    Images
    108
    If you can sew, you should have no problems making a tarp...

    Instead of painter's plastic, some have found that Shower Curtain liners work well... and are cheap...
    "Do or do not, there is no try." -- Yoda


  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Mt. Airy
    Hammock
    ENO DoubleNest
    Insulation
    down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    66
    Quote Originally Posted by JohnSawyer View Post
    If you can sew, you should have no problems making a tarp...

    Instead of painter's plastic, some have found that Shower Curtain liners work well... and are cheap...


    Hmm.... those would probably be lighter as well. Thanks.

  9. #9
    Senior Member XTrekker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Hampton Roads, Virginia
    Hammock
    DIY - Canoe Hammock
    Tarp
    DIY Hex Tarp
    Insulation
    DIY TQ and UQ
    Suspension
    DIY UCRs
    Posts
    2,133
    Images
    83
    Be weary of wind with those painters tarps. Heard a few people mention that they fail quickly when its windy.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Klaussinator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    southern VA
    Hammock
    DIY dbl.layer
    Tarp
    DIY camo semi-cat
    Insulation
    DIY IX-UQ
    Suspension
    DIY whoopies
    Posts
    1,176
    Interesting timing . . .
    Here's my latest project: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=65828

    -Klauss
    My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/rexmichaelson

    "But hey, 2 trees anywhere is a bedroom waiting to happen, right?"

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Buying my first tarp... Help!
      By Wyley in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 03-27-2014, 05:41
    2. buying DD tarp from store
      By darkhawk424 in forum DD Hammocks
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 11-06-2012, 23:25
    3. buying a tarp
      By bkautzman89 in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 04-29-2012, 01:37
    4. Help with buying tarp
      By chrisis138 in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 24
      Last Post: 08-07-2011, 19:09
    5. Buying a Clark Ultra, Which Tarp?
      By Pak-Man in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 10-15-2009, 09:18

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •