Every DIY’r has a “First Project”, what was yours?

[[o]TTeR]

While sketching out a rough draft of a canvas hot tent design over the holidays, I started thinking about my first do-it-yourself gear project. I’ve been obsessed with DIY gear making since joining HF in 2009, since then I’ve completed 36 projects (over 50 pieces of gear with repeats) so it was a struggle to find pictures of the first one. Every camping gear DIY’r has a “First Project”, what was yours? (Remember pics or it didn’t happen!?!)

My first project was an “Under Quilt” made out of a 10c Ozark Junior Sleeping bag from Wally World. Completed in November 2009, I used it for my first overnight hang (ever) where it hit -8c.

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While looking through thousands of photos, I put together a DIY timeline and Flickr photoset for the projects I’ve worked on over that last 4+ years


DIY Projects Timeline:
Full FLickr Set

2009.11 – Ozark JSB UQ Mod.
2009.12 – Ozark JSB UQ Mod V2
2010.01 – DIY Gathered shelf and FB Hammock
2010.01 – Tarp beaks and doors
2010.01 – Hammock Chair
2010.02 – Digi-Cam BB Clone V1
2010.11 – Ozark JSB UQ Mod V3
2010.12 – Stuffed Burrito Organizer-Stuff Sack
2010.12 – Wooden Hammock Stand
2011.01 – PU Coated UQ Protector
2011.02 – Camp Fire Tripod and Grill
2011.02 – Digi-Cam BB Clone V2
2011.03 – Super Cat Heineken Cook Kit
2011.04 – First DIY Top Quilt
2011.04 – DIY Top Quilt V2
2011.04 – First DIY UnderQuilt
2011.12 – Snow Beast Quilt Set
2012.01 – The Winter Recliner Hammock Chair
2012.01 – Down DigiCam Sleeves
2012.05 – Custom Huggers and RL
2012.05 – Guys with Shock Factor
2012.06 – The Stadium Stove
2012.06 – MiniLamp alcohol Stove
2012.10 – 11’ Gathered-End Hammock with adjustable boxes
2012.10 – The Winter Recliner II Hammock System
2012.10 – Hammock Chair Stand
2012.11 – WR-II Custom Tarp
2013.01 – The Nobul Beast TopQuilt
2013.01 – SteamPunk Alcohol Stove
2013.02 – Titanium Pot Stand
2013.05 – The Nobul2 MicroBeast UnderQuilt
2013.06 – Amsteel Survival Bracelet
2013.08 – R-III Hammock System
2013.08 – Titanium Nail Case
2013.08 – Nobul2 Summer TQ
2014.01 – Drop Cloth Hot Tent V1

[Gsx-rboy750]

I made a mini 2 gram knife last night and a 10 gram spatula for my pan last night. Both Titanium. My first completed mini DIY.

[meckelangelo]

My wife and I made IX underquilts. Funny to think that at the time, I was terrified of the sewing machine (thread injector), and made her run it. Now, I'm setting behind it nearly every day.

[visionarylion]

mine was a DIY gear supply hex tarp. I really need to take better pics of my gear

[CooOkieCOOon]

DIY gear supply winter tarp out of tyvek! dubbed the "Blizzard Camo Tarp"

[johntreefrog]

I joined HF about 2 weeks ago. Since then I've learned so much. I've made a turtlelady baboo stand, 8 amsteel continuous loops, a set of whoopie slings and some soft shackles. I think my next will be an underquilt

[Bec]

Here's mine. An underquilt made using a pancho and climashield. I used instructions from the Ultimate Hang somewhat. Thanks Derek! It is too heavy and bulky to hike with but works for car or kayak camping. I don't have a thread injector so I hand sewed it. This is my inside testing area on my breezeway. It is not heated or air conditioned and if I open the eight windows and doors it's almost like being outside.

[Bec]

Sorry the image didn't load

[songdog]

I am not much of a DIY-er! I love reading through the threads about all the great projects on HF's, but most of those projects involve a sewing machine and those things terrify me. Odd for a woman, I know, but there it is!

About a week ago I stumbled upon the Turtledog Hammock stand posts and I was hooked. I just had to give it a try. After sifting through literally hundreds of posts and different variations, I finally settled on the one made out of 2X2's. Off to Lowes I went to get the materials and a miter saw. It took me longer than all you men out there who build these things in 30 minutes, but I got 'er done!

I have my WBBB hanging nicely on it, although the top rail could be little longer to take out the sag on the ridgeline. The only thing I did differently was changing out the ropes suspending the top to to 7/64 amsteel continuous loops and adding an "S" hook to each end of the pipe to keep the loops from drifting. There may have been a post that I missed where someone used the "S" hooks. I admit that it was a lot of reading ...Good job everybody who contributed your thoughts and designs.

Here are a couple of pics of my very first DIY project.

[Xtrm tj]

Well the pic you see below is my attempt at an underquilt. Ripstop nylon from Joanne fabrics, heavy thick batting, 5+ hours of work with the help of my mother-in-law it came out well. I need to modify the ends where you see white. So it will collapse down better and close off the drafts

I stayed in 30 degree, fairly warm.

I have a need to improve my winter setup. I have since got a hammock sock to help.