View Full Version : tarping ideas?
cwayman1
04-26-2009, 21:05
hey, so i've got some sil on the way for my first DIY project-- a tarp-- and i've been piddlin' around with ideas. it's between a BlackCat or something maybe like this...http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/images/file_bmp.gif (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=5639&c=)
would this be "do-able"... i guess structurally speaking? would that be too much awkward tension on the seam?:confused:
cheers!
and thanks!
here's a link if you can't see the pic
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=5639&c=7
HitchHiking
04-26-2009, 22:16
Looks good, I dont see why that wouldnt work if your seam was done well. Might want to use a guide rope aslo on the ridgline. Trial and error I suppose. Ill let others with more experince help there. With proper positioning of the guy ropes you could possibly use it like a SWT as well and get the ends closed off.
Using the seam as part of your ridgeline would help for a better pitch. So... If you are determined on having a diamond shape tarp then you could cut the sil so the seam is part of the ridgeline. Just that you would need 2- 14 foot pieces to start (your diagonal length of a 10x10 is 14’) It would be more cuts, 2 additional seams and you would have extra sil to make stuff sacks out of. Or you could go the easier route and use it as a rectangle/square, put 4 tie outs on the side and you can configure it like a Speer Winter Tarp.
I just made a tarp (12x10). (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8282)Mine is setup in the SWT just without the cat cuts. Others have mentioned that the center pull outs are nice to have. I think I'll put them on my son's tarp (when make it, that is...).
It is definitely an easy project.
cwayman1
04-27-2009, 22:04
I just made a tarp (12x10). (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8282)Mine is setup in the SWT just without the cat cuts. Others have mentioned that the center pull outs are nice to have. I think I'll put them on my son's tarp (when make it, that is...).
It is definitely an easy project.
yeah, i actually was admiring yours the other day-- it came up in the "random images" sectio on my homepage. the only reason for the diamond design is to minimize fabric-- which would also minimize weight. other that i would just go with blackbishop's BlackCat
http://www.hammockforums.net/index.php?page=blackcat
and maybe mod it with 2 extra tie-outs per side, similar to shug's small tarp... skip to about the 6min. mark in the vid
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/video.php?do=viewdetails&videoid=65
Bob1520 hit the nail on the head - I too think you would be better off with a diagonal ridgeline. While it would take more material, the pitch would be more even and you would be avoiding putting lateral strain on the seam, which would be good for durability of the whole system.
Not that your current configuration would not work, but having the tarp ridgeline perpendicular to the main guyline stresses is a recipe for success (and how many other commercial tarps are oriented).
And the Blackcat direction would treat you very well indeed. A fine choice!
I hate you BlackBishop351 :) I just saw that tutorial linked above and now I need to return my rectangular tarp and get a hex, I had seen where everyone was saying that for ground pitching the rectangular was the way to go. now I see the different configurations the hex can go and I want one of them.
cwayman1
04-28-2009, 11:36
boghog, this may be less of a possibility than it seems in my head, but if you are up for cutting your rectangle(and depending on the layout of its tieouts) you might could just make some cat cuts on your current tarp and put in NEW tieouts :)