Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 31
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Washington
    Hammock
    DIY 1.5oz 2 Layer
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah 12'
    Insulation
    DIY IX 2 Layer
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    44

    The line between DIY and buying

    My first (and only) hammock I made myself. Thinking back to that experience, I saved about $40 vs purchasing a night owl because of the setup costs of the thread injector and measuring/sewing accessories.

    It's a nice hammock, I've slept in it on every trip this year. However, I've never slept in another hammock, so my comparisons are vs a tent (sooo much better). My second DIY was an underquilt, and that went sideways on me. I still have to take it apart and try again.

    So I'm second guessing myself, and I wanted to hear from the more experienced. To the DIY crowd, are there items you would not try to make yourself? Is DIY cost effective to the weekender? I'm always going to make my own amsteel byproducts, but wonder where the line is for other people between waiting and buying vs. materials and DIY.

    Thx

  2. #2
    Dutch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Reinholds, PA
    Hammock
    Bridgeskin
    Tarp
    DIY Blackcat
    Insulation
    DIY Quilts
    Suspension
    Whoopie sling
    Posts
    9,558
    Images
    201
    I sewn a sil tarp that I love but the price of them compared to doing rolled hems on a slippery curve is no contest. Especially since you can find perfectly good used ones on teh market.
    Peace Dutch
    GA>ME 2003

    www.MakeYourGear.com
    http://dutchwaregear.com[/URL]
    Visit Dutchwaregear on facebook (and like it)
    Check us out on Twitter @dutchwaregear

  3. #3
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Milton, PA
    Hammock
    Hennessey Explorer Ultralight
    Tarp
    Hennessey Hex
    Insulation
    HH Super Shelter
    Suspension
    ring buckle
    Posts
    7,945
    Images
    101
    IMO the DIY procedure is not really worth it based on cost alone. Please note.... I said based on cost alone. Taking all other things out of consideration the cost for a commercial item is too reasonable to do the DIY route. _but_ when factoring in all the other aspects of the project... getting _exactly_ what you want, the satisfaction of making it yourself, the intangibles that figure in you are left with a whole different outcome. For me.. that's where the benefits of DIY are found.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  4. #4
    Senior Member stairguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Shakopee, Minn.
    Hammock
    exped scout combi
    Tarp
    superfly
    Insulation
    polarpod
    Posts
    535
    Personally, I have no problem designing and fabricating a $250,000 curved stairway. But the thought of sewing a stuff sack intimidates me. I buy.
    " Wiggs "

    ________________________________________

  5. #5
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Denville, NJ, USA
    Hammock
    DIY Stretch-Side
    Tarp
    DIY Cat Cut Hex
    Insulation
    Phoenix and Nest
    Suspension
    cinch buckles
    Posts
    4,377
    Images
    227
    It's the trial, error and experimentation that can make DIY actually cost more than buying.

    BUT if you already have a sewing machine and you follow well established instructions it can definitely save you money. I have commercial and DIY hammocks and keep getting tempted to buy other commercial hammocks but then I remember how well the DIYs work and see no need. If you have the time, then DIY is great.
    Knotty
    "Don't speak unless it improves the silence." -proverb
    DIY Gathered End Hammock
    DIY Stretch-Side Hammock
    Stretch-Side "Knotty Mod"
    DIY Bugnet

  6. #6
    Senior Member Detail Man's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Hammock
    DIY or Bonefire Whisper
    Tarp
    DIY Silpoly
    Insulation
    Incubator, Burrow
    Suspension
    Bonefire Deluxe
    Posts
    889
    Images
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by Born_Old View Post
    So I'm second guessing myself, and I wanted to hear from the more experienced. To the DIY crowd, are there items you would not try to make yourself? Is DIY cost effective to the weekender? I'm always going to make my own amsteel byproducts, but wonder where the line is for other people between waiting and buying vs. materials and DIY.

    Thx
    Being "cost effective to the weekender" is pretty subjective when it comes to DIY gear. Compared to what? If you count your time towards the project, then no, it won't be as "cost effective" compared to what it can be produced for by one of the cottage industries here on HF. They're able to take advantage of quantity discounts, wholesale prices, having patterns, the experience of having made multiple copies of an item, having a space set up for production, etc. They work a long time prototyping and making patterns so the next one will be easier, faster, better. They all started as DIYers at some point, then turned it into a business.

    Most DIYers aren't interested in making money, just saving some. If you're just comparing cost of material you buy vs. finished product shipped to your door, then yes, you can save some money. It will take longer, but you can make some really nice gear yourself. Will it be as good as what you can buy? Maybe yes, maybe not, depending on what you're comparing it to, your skills, and tools.

    If you have to buy a sewing machine and material, and only plan to make one item, then you might be better off purchasing a finished product. I already had all the necessities for sewing, so making my own gear was simply a matter of having the raw materials and a plan. I'm outfitting a family of five, so DIYing our gear is pretty important to make our gear dollars go as far as possible.

    As far as things I wouldn't attempt....for me, can't think of anything, but I have a lot of experience doing a lot of different things. It's purely a matter of having the tools to do it. If I had a CNC waterjet (like Dutch), I'd make my own Dutch Clips. (The first Dutch Clip was made with a drill press, hacksaw, and file.) In this case I don't have the $xxx,xxx for a cnc, so $12 is a great deal. With down UQs, $240 for a HG Incubator was the cost of material to make two for me and the lovely wife who also hangs. Money saved. It all depends on what you are willing to tackle. It took me a while to wrap my mind around working with down. It's not too big a deal, now that I've done it.

    For me, many times I want something with features that aren't available. Then you really have to DIY it. It's part of the fun.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Detail Man's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Hammock
    DIY or Bonefire Whisper
    Tarp
    DIY Silpoly
    Insulation
    Incubator, Burrow
    Suspension
    Bonefire Deluxe
    Posts
    889
    Images
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by stairguy View Post
    Personally, I have no problem designing and fabricating a $250,000 curved stairway. But the thought of sewing a stuff sack intimidates me. I buy.
    Glad there are some folks who love stair jobs. I did two, and said never again. Down quilts not a problem.

  8. #8
    Senior Member RedBeardHanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Rockville, MD
    Hammock
    eno DN(Daily)Hennessy Asym Zip
    Tarp
    Cuben DIYw/beak
    Insulation
    15*Bag/20*Pheonix
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    496
    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    getting _exactly_ what you want, the satisfaction of making it yourself, the intangibles that figure in you are left with a whole different outcome. For me.. that's where the benefits of DIY are found.
    +1
    Always have a Plan B C D and E! - Arson

    I 100% believe “Normal is Boring!"

    Does Shug ever put out a bad video?

    "Man up and get back up to the top of the food chain Mr. Omnivore. That McDonalds didn't grow out of a Avacodo bush.” - MrClean417

    "The trick to living and learning is actually living." - Cannibal

    "He who would travel happily must travel light."
    - Antonine Marie Roger de Saint-Exupery

    "Backpacking is the art of knowing what not to take."
    - Sheridan Anderson

  9. #9
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Washington
    Hammock
    DIY 1.5oz 2 Layer
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah 12'
    Insulation
    DIY IX 2 Layer
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    44
    Dutch: Thanks for the info about tarps. I have a walmart blue special with a kelty/chinook on the christmas wishlist. Then it's saving the pennies to buy something from GargoyleGear!

    RamblingRev: Sounds much like my original thoughts on DIY. It's nice to know that I could do it and make it mine. Time/expense/supplies are the balance I am now trying to accomplish. I think now that once I can do it, I'll leave it to the more professional

    Knotty: I agree on the hammock idea. What about the UQ, the TQ? Those would be my next worries after the shelter (tarp). I think I will be ccfing it until something changes.

    Detail_Man: Down scares me. I think having a carpeted apt with 2 cats and a 17mo old makes it even more scary. With time will hopefully come a man cave (albeit one with a thread injector and fabric).

    --For those who have done them, snakeskins look to be easy? I'm trying to think of those things I may make after a hammock that will help me practice, not cost a bunch, and help my outdoor experience the most. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

  10. #10
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Hammock
    I have many so....
    Tarp
    Blackcrow DIY Tarp
    Insulation
    FrankenquiltUQ/Pod
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    23,394
    Images
    62
    Having done DIY.....6 hammocks....5 tarps......two UQs....gloves...a shirt....stuff sacks and a few bits and bobs. It was fun and it feels really terrific to be in or under or on something that you made.
    But....I buy most stuff now considering the time it took me to do them.
    I would do more tarps...fun.
    No more UQs or TQs...unless I decide to make a -30º UQ.
    Time is $$$$.
    So really.....I don't know what I am ramble typing about.
    I say try it.
    Get your Granny on)))))))
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Whoopie Slings Single Line Ridge Line, Snake Skins, SP 700 Ti Lid
      By tjayblues in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 03-13-2014, 22:01
    2. Mini Line-Lock Guy Line Tensioners On Sale
      By Mountainfitter in forum Other Vendors and Services
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 05-18-2012, 15:46
    3. Whoopie Sling Single Line Tarp Ridge Line Question
      By Wogs in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 06-18-2011, 09:15
    4. Single line tarp ridge line tangle
      By MrToot in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 03-16-2011, 16:24
    5. Opie's Single Line Tarp Ridge Line
      By Moxie in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 09-29-2010, 10:57

    Tags for this Thread

    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
    •