"U Can't C Me" DIY Camo Tarp!!

This is by far my biggest project to date!! I have made several hammocks, and 2 hammock stands, but they do NOT compare to this. The ridgeline is about 12', the bottom about 14'. It has a slight cat-cut in it. The cat is not a much as I would have liked. It is still a little floppy, but I think I am going to add side tie outs. With a 14' bottom edge, it has doors. I wanted something that I could use for bad weather, and for scouting, where I may need my privacy with a bunch of boys running around. It may not be that big of a deal on troop campouts, but at camporees where there are several hundred boys and adults, something with doors is needed!!! It is made from 1.1 camo ripstop from BWDD. This is NOT silnylon. I plan on doing that myself, but the weather is not cooperating. I need a good sunny, warm day. The ridgeline was a pain for me to get straight. I hung the tarp and the ridgeline was terrible. I didn't realize how bad it was until then. So, back to the drawing board, cut off the ridgeline and injected a new flat felled seam, much better. I actually looks like a tarp now. Ok enough talk, lets see the pics!!
[IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._002_thumb.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._003_thumb.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._004_thumb.jpg[/IMG]

Looking good RR72, that's a nice big tarp you've made there:)

Can't wait to see/hear how it's going to turn out after you've treat it with sil.

I'm not a big camo junkie...unless it's woodland camo...I'm diggin' this!

Well done rr. It will serve you well.

Looks great. What are the dimensions? The ridge line is 12'. What is the distance between the side mid- points?

The pattern works well. Just looking at the pictures with what little trees are in the background I can see how this would work nicely.

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Originally Posted by wwk10

Looks great. What are the dimensions? The ridge line is 12'. What is the distance between the side mid- points?

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The mid side tieouts are 8' apart- leaving 3' at each end for the doors. It stands about 5' high. The fabric is 68" to start, then subtract for the hem and the flat felled seam (x2 in this case, for the one I cut out and fixed). I have not measured it, so that is a rough guess.

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Originally Posted by oldgringo

I'm not a big camo junkie...unless it's woodland camo...I'm diggin' this!

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Thank OldGringo!!

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gargoyle Well done rr. It will serve you well.

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TY GG- and I hope it does.

awesome job - i would really like to know how the application of silcone goes. i love camo print - if they made a crayon i'd use it.

looking forward to a report after the DIY silcone.

That came out really great! I'm glad it all worked out for you. I think I need to make myself a camo tarp next. Awesome job!

Fronkey

Well done! Can't wait to see this camobabe siliconized and read about your experiences with her!

Wow! Very nicely done. That thing looks great and I especially like your doors.

Mighty fine....good fortune on the siliconing.......
Shug

What tarp? I don't see a tarp :laugh:

Well done RR. Very nice!

Thanks all, and will post after I get the sil done. Figure a good water test will prove how well it works!!

Super tarp. Between the doors and the camo, those scouts may never find you. :)

Looks great man! kinda similar to mine, except for the slight cat cut and better working doors! I had great success on my DIY sil! hope you do too!!

very nice,,, great job

Everyone's in DIY Tarp mode but me! :eek:

It IS my next project, I just haven't gotten around to getting the material yet!

Looks great, RR!

Where is that masked hammocker!

Nice tarp.

Great job dude. I need to make myself one of these, just got to get off my lazy butt and do it. :rolleyes:

i can "see" u:tongueup:

I had to sil my tarp. The first time I had a chance, the mineral spirits I picked had problems. So I bought more mineral spirits and silicone, then had to wait for mother nature and time to give me a chance. It has either been cold, raining or I had trips with scouts (1 week I was helping with leader training, the next was a camporee).

Finally, a nice sunny day. After cutting the grass, I went to mixing the sil for application.

[IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._004_thumb.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._001_thumb.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._003_thumb.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._002_thumb.jpg[/IMG]

I did add side pull-outs, which really opens up the inside.
After letting it set and dry, it was time for the newpaper test. I laid out a couple of papers and then time for the water hose at full pressure. Water just beaded up and ran off. No water at all on the newspaper or even the inside surface of the tarp.

Now I just need to make a stuff sack and shockcord guy tensioners. Then wait for my tarp flyz. Figured I might as well use them with this tarp, vs my Kelty 9 or Guide Gear tarps.

I am a very happy camper now. A lot of work has gone into this tarp. I guess I am now "experienced":laugh::laugh:

Awesome dude! I was just thinking about how your tarp turned out and it looks terrific. Great job and looks like it was worth all the hard work.

Fronkey

Thanks Fronkey!! If I had to do it again (or when?) I think I would use grosgrain around the edge. And the next will be sil to start with. I'm thinking........black!!!!

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Originally Posted by Roadrunnr72

I had to sil my tarp. The first time I had a chance, the mineral spirits I picked had problems. So I bought more mineral spirits and silicone, then had to wait for mother nature and time to give me a chance. It has either been cold, raining or I had trips with scouts (1 week I was helping with leader training, the next was a camporee).

Finally, a nice sunny day. After cutting the grass, I went to mixing the sil for application.


I did add side pull-outs, which really opens up the inside.
After letting it set and dry, it was time for the newpaper test. I laid out a couple of papers and then time for the water hose at full pressure. Water just beaded up and ran off. No water at all on the newspaper or even the inside surface of the tarp.

Now I just need to make a stuff sack and shockcord guy tensioners. Then wait for my tarp flyz. Figured I might as well use them with this tarp, vs my Kelty 9 or Guide Gear tarps.

I am a very happy camper now. A lot of work has gone into this tarp. I guess I am now "experienced":laugh::laugh:

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Looks great. Final weight? Mine came out way too heavy but she's a beauty.

Great tarp! I have been thinking a diy tarp from the same fabric. Curious what your final weight on the tarp after sil waterproofing is?

Love that woodland camo!

I just weighed it, and the final tally, with guylines......

29oz., don't know if that is bad or not, but it is a BIG TARP!! If I get time, I will remove the guylines and weigh it, if anyone is interested.

Now that makes me want to stop my current project and make a tarp.. Oh if there was only enough time in the day

Roadrunnr72.

That's a mighty fine lookin tarp there pardner. Will be a good feeling sleeping under your own made by hand tarp. I'm sure you will get your intended uses out of it. :D

How many hours of pain and pleasure have you logged into making it?

Might have to change your name to CammoHide. :lol:

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Originally Posted by HWS

Roadrunnr72.

That's a mighty fine lookin tarp there pardner. Will be a good feeling sleeping under your own made by hand tarp. I'm sure you will get your intended uses out of it. :D

How many hours of pain and pleasure have you logged into making it?
Might have to change your name to CammoHide. :lol:

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Couldn't even start to guess!! I know it could have been quicker, if not for a few thread injecting errors. The hardest part was just having to redo the ridgeline. I was about to give up at that point. But after getting it starightened out, I am very happy with it now.

Hey Roadrunnr72,

That is a great looking tarp you have made. It must feel good to sleep under such a good tarp that is DIY. I'm sure the doors will be very handy for wind / rain & privacy.

[QUOTE=Roadrunnr72;438128]This is by far my biggest project to date!! I have made several hammocks, and 2 hammock stands, but they do NOT compare to this. The ridgeline is about 12', the bottom about 14'. It has a slight cat-cut in it. The cat is not a much as I would have liked. It is still a little floppy, but I think I am going to add side tie outs. With a 14' bottom edge, it has doors. I wanted something that I could use for bad weather, and for scouting, where I may need my privacy with a bunch of boys running around. It may not be that big of a deal on troop campouts, but at camporees where there are several hundred boys and adults, something with doors is needed!!! It is made from 1.1 camo ripstop from BWDD. This is NOT silnylon. I plan on doing that myself, but the weather is not cooperating. I need a good sunny, warm day. The ridgeline was a pain for me to get straight. I hung the tarp and the ridgeline was terrible. I didn't realize how bad it was until then. So, back to the drawing board, cut off the ridgeline and injected a new flat felled seam, much better. I actually looks like a tarp now.

Mine's Bigger!

Just kidding. yours is nearly identical to mine (cammo color, too) with the exception of the base tie out points: mine are 7.5 ft apart. This means that I can have a wider pitch with the doors closed = no side pull's required.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...2_original.jpg

Hope you got that odorless mineral spirits thing resolved.

Cheers

Finally got to do some real world testing. I had a scout campout (OA Ordeal). I used my Eno DN, HG 3S Incubator, a sleeping bag (for TQ), my DIY Stand, and of course, my TARP.
[IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...tarp_thumb.jpg[/IMG]
This was a Fri and Sat night campout. Fri we had a light rain, not too bad. But Sat, right in the middle of the ceremony it started raining. Not long, it was pouring so hard that my Dry Ducks soaked through at the zipper (the front of my shirt was soaked). I found out the next morning that a couple of the scouts ended up sleeping in the pavilion because they had about 3" of water in their tents. Me and my gear stayed nice and dry all night. I am very satisfied with the the DIY Sil. You can't beat pouring rain and staying dry.
Several people were very impressed with my set-up, and even more so when they found out that I made the tarp. My only regret is not having my DIY Gathered End Hammock. I just got the ENO DN and wanted to try it out.

When asked "How did you sleep last night?" It was nice to say, "High and Dry!!":laugh:

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Originally Posted by Roadrunnr72

Finally got to do some real world testing. I had scout campout (OA Ordeal). I used my Eno DN, HG 3S Incubator, a sleeping bag (for TQ), my DIY Stand, and of course, my TARP.
[IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...tarp_thumb.jpg[/IMG]
This was a Fri and Sat night campout. Fri we had a light rain, not too bad. But Sat, right in the middle of the ceremony it started raining. Not long, it was pouring so hard that my Dry Ducks soaked through at the zipper (the front of my shirt was soaked). I found out the next morning that a couple of the scouts ended up sleeping in the pavilion because they had about 3" of water in their tents. Me and my gear stayed nice and dry all night. I am very satisfied with the the DIY Sil. You can't beat pouring rain and staying dry.
Several people were very impressed with my set-up, and even more so when they found out that I made the tarp. My only regret is not having my DIY Gathered End Hammock. I just got the ENO DN and wanted to try it out.

When asked "How did you sleep last night?" It was nice to say, "High and Dry!!":laugh:

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That's awesome man! Great job showing off your gear and having a successful night in your hammock. But, what the heck are all those colorful things around your hammock... trash cans?

fronkey

Those are gear storage shells!!

Awesome setup.

And am I the only one who remembers Boy scouts getting stuck with worn out military surplus A-Frame tents held together with duct tape and bailing wire? Scouts got it way too easy these days. :D

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Originally Posted by Catavarie

Awesome setup.

And am I the only one who remembers Boy scouts getting stuck with worn out military surplus A-Frame tents held together with duct tape and bailing wire? Scouts got it way too easy these days. :D

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Our troop (me excluded, now:D) use 2 or 3 man canvas tents. [IMG]http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...3662_thumb.jpg[/IMG] when on camporees. These are over 25 yrs old. How do I know? I used them when I was about 13 years old as a scout.

Wow is that a sharp lookin' tarp.
Good show, man! Very nicely done.
:laugh:

Great Set-up! Let me know if you ever hit the trails in W. NC. I would love to get a eyes-on look see at your "manor."

Ken T.

Great tarp! maybe I missed it somewhere, but did you use a pattern? If so, do you have a link to it?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by seionage

Great tarp! maybe I missed it somewhere, but did you use a pattern? If so, do you have a link to it?

Thanks!

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No pattern. This was just a little thinking on my part. I have seen other tarps that have removable doors. Then started drawing a few designs. And this is the one I liked best.

thanks for the reply. Sorry for the 20 questions but I really like this tarp:

a)Where did you buy the material from?
b)Where did you put the seams?
c)Would you mind posting an sketch of the tarp dimensions?

thanks a bunch!