DIY Gargoyle Mega Ogee

**Grapenut** · 07-28-2013, 15:23

Well, just finished my second DIY tarp and followed Gargoyle's Mega Ogee pattern (thanks Gargoyle!). I constructed it out of 1.1 ripstop nylon in Marine Corps Camo. I just finished dunking it in a silicone treatment and put it up to dry.

I really like this design. It has an 11 foot ridgeline in one direction and 12.5 feet if I choose to hang it from the pointy (perpendicular) side. It is lighter than I thought it would be and I will try to weigh it after I get new batteries for my scales.

It easily has as much coverage where I really need it as the DIY "hex" shaped tarp that I made, and it took less material. The Hex tarp took 7 yards of material that is 60 " wide and the Mega Ogee tarp took 6.5 yards.

The picture of the Hex Tarp was taken yesterday while it was raining cats and dogs. I followed the one tube of clear silicone to two quarts of low-odor mineral spirits formula, and I'm happy to report that it worked like a charm!

I bought 40 yards of 1.1 ripstop at 1.25 a yard and I have been having a hey day sewing stuff for friends and relatives. Both tarps cost me less than 25 bucks each counting everything except tent stakes.

G-Nut

**ofuros** · 07-28-2013, 16:44

I like it grapenut....looks like a versatile piece of kit.

**gunner76** · 07-28-2013, 16:54

I like. What did you use to waterproof it ?

**Grapenut** · 07-28-2013, 17:23

Originally Posted by gunner76

I like. What did you use to waterproof it ?

One tube of clear silicone to two quarts of low-odor mineral spirits.
I mixed them together in a plastic 5 gallon bucket.
I used a hand drill and a homemade stirring bit to mix it up.
I made the stirring bit by cutting the longest section of a plastic coat hangar and connecting three long zip-ties at the bottom of it.
After I stirred the mixture together for 5 minutes or so, I dunked the tarp in the bucket and pressed/squeezed the material for a couple of minutes to thoroughly soak it.
I then hung the tarp up for a couple of hours in the yard before moving it inside my garage.
I will leave it hanging for at least 24 hours before I bag it up.

I did this same thing with my last DIY tarp and set it up in the rain yesterday.
It stayed dry after getting rained on for three hours.
I am happy with the procedure. Its easier than I thought it would be!

**SailingandSuch** · 07-28-2013, 17:29

Very nice!

That's pretty interesting about soaking the fabric and making your own silnylon.....

Has anyone else tried it with success out in the field?

**Grapenut** · 07-28-2013, 17:43

You in Dothan? We need to link-up for some hiking and camping!
There are quite a few people that have posted on this. My favorite video on how to do it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UTZPllgqSc

Of Note, the guy who made it calls himself a Cheap Bast--rd so if cussin' bothers you then don't watch the video.

**hangnout** · 07-28-2013, 17:46

Lookin' good! It would look better hangin in the woods though

Hope to hang with you again soon and see some more of your work.

**Grapenut** · 07-28-2013, 17:57

Originally Posted by hangnout

Lookin' good! It would look better hangin in the woods though

Hope to hang with you again soon and see some more of your work.

Roger that! Wish I could join you guys next weekend on Bear Island. Ftroop says there may be a hike brewing in Nov... Plenty of time to make more stuff between now and then!

**Lost_Biker** · 07-28-2013, 18:19

Now thats a nice tarp! Cheap and easy to make. I've always been leery of the silicone/mineral spirits (heard some horror stories), but I'll have to re-think that and try it. Yours came out great!