DIY Climashield UQ

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10-27-2012, 17:09
SouthernExposure

DIY Climashield UQ

I live in a more temperate area of the country where it doesn't get below freezing very often so I really didn't need an expensive down under quilt that could offer warmth to very low temps. After reading several reports, I decided that the Climashield line of insulation materials should serve me very nicely. I ordered some 2 yards of 5 ounce Apex insulation online and picked up 4 yards of rip-stop nylon locally.

I wanted the quilt to be 54" x 70" with 4" differential cut between the widths of the top and bottom RSN layers to minimize insulation compression. I pinned the material together, evenly gathering the short ends to compensate for the difference in the widths of the layers. The 4" drop off of RSN was cut in half lengthwise and used to make the long side channels for the shock cord assemblies.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...9/img_1449.jpg

I made the first line of stitches about 1" in from the edge and followed up with another one at about 1/2".

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...9/img_1450.jpg

I used grosgrain ribbon to make the shock cord channels on the short sides for gathering the ends. The ribbon was 7/8" wide and wound up being a little too narrow. If I were to do it again, I would forego the grosgrain ribbon and make wider channels from strips of RSL. After sewing the 3 sides, I turned the assembly inside out and closed off the open end by sewing a grosgrain ribbon channel over the outside of the end, thereby closing it.

I threaded 1/8" shock cords into the short side channels and secured them with barrel cord locks on each end. I then threaded the side cord assemblies that were made of shock and utility cords lock stitched together with the junction then protected by heat-shrink tubing. A bowline knot was then tied onto each end of the 2 cord assemblies.

I set up the hammock with a Structural Ridge line fitted with 2 Prussick knots on the SRL near the ends of the hammock and 2 Prussick knots with 'S' hooks near the center of the SRL. I positioned the UQ under the hammock, threaded the ends of the long side cord assemblies through the outermost Prussicks and hooked their end loops on the inner Prussicks with the 'S' hooks.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...9/img_1451.jpg

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...9/img_1457.jpg

With this configuration, I can snug the UQ up under the hammock for chilly nights without getting out of the hammock. By sliding the 2 Prussicks with the 'S' hooks away from each other towards their respective ends, I can adjust the hammock so that it allows some air to circulate between it and the hammock bottom for those nights when it is not as chilly.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...9/img_1461.jpg

Additionally, I can place a CCF pad in the double bottom sleeve of the hammock to further extend the range of the insulation as the need arises. This hammock that I made also has an integrated bug screen on it. I can close off most of the screen at the ends of the hammock and run the adjustment cords through a small opening without offering much of an opening for a mosquito to find her way in.

The next projects on deck are to make a pillow from the leftover Climashield, a draw string stuff sack for the UQ and a box-footed top quilt.

I hope that you enjoyed this modest offering of a tutorial and make one of these for yourself.

Hang tough.

SouthernExposure. :D
10-27-2012, 17:34
FLScouthanger

Great looking UQ! Have you had it out for a test drive yet?
10-27-2012, 17:50
HURTHEART

Looks great, I look forward to reading the report on how it worked for you. It looks like it will be very effective.
10-27-2012, 17:54
SouthernExposure

Thanks. I have just taken it for a spin around the block yesterday afternoon. We had a cold front blow through with plummeting temperatures and high winds. I tucked in and it felt like I was rocking in my sweet baby's arms all snug and warm. I plan on putting it through it's shakedown cruise tonight.

SE
10-28-2012, 08:04
SouthernExposure

I sacked out in the hammock last night with the new UQ. The temperature here was predicted to drop down to almost 40 overnight so it was going to be a good check for the limits of the system. The Climashield was able to keep me comfortable, but I knew that the temps were as low as it was able to work to. I used my unzipped sleeping bag as a top quilt and stayed warm on top and a little chilly under my rear and back.

I believe that by adding a CCF pad to the sleeve in the hammock and getting in the sleeping bag instead of just under it, I would be able to to handle temps well into the 30s. All in all, I think that the quilt has been a success in being able to sleep through the temperatures I am likely to see around here.

Cheers! :laugh:

SouthernExposure
10-28-2012, 08:20
barbermike

That looks great! I just finished up my APEX underquilt yesterday. took me about 6 hours to do and it was only 48"x40"
10-28-2012, 10:50
SouthernExposure

I think that this will turn out to be a great cooler weather UQ. Hope you enjoy yours.

SE
10-28-2012, 13:30
Klaussinator

Great job on your UQ! Looks good! That's a lot of rigging to hold it in place, but I like the concept of being able to adjust it from inside the hammock.

I just got done adding two more layers to my IX UQ in anticipation of cooler temps. Ahhh, good instant warmth! An IX layer or two might work in conjunction with your ClimaShield and be lighter and more flexible than a CCF pad . . just sayin:rolleyes:

-Klauss
10-28-2012, 13:54
SouthernExposure

IX UQ, OK! I will take that under Klauss-visement. :shades:

Cheers!

SE
10-28-2012, 14:05
WV

Great job not only on your underquilt, but also on your report. This is the kind of thread that gives people real, useful DIY info.
10-28-2012, 16:48
gunner76

Very nice. What was the final weight of the UQ ?
10-28-2012, 19:45
SouthernExposure

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunner76

Very nice. What was the final weight of the UQ ?

All told, it weighs right at 31 ounces. I used 1.9 oz RSN so this weight could be dropped to about 26 ounces if you use 1.1 oz RSN.

SE
10-30-2012, 07:31
Fish<><

I agree with WV, this was not only a well done project, but a very well written article. It was clear and concise.

Just out of curiosity, where did you get the two prussik knot on the SRL from? I really like that...
10-30-2012, 08:47
SouthernExposure

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish<><

I agree with WV, this was not only a well done project, but a very well written article. It was clear and concise.

Just out of curiosity, where did you get the two prussik knot on the SRL from? I really like that...

I looked at most every DIY UQ and suspension project that was posted on the boards here and saw something very similar to this. I adapted the idea for my application and specifics by adding the 'S' hooks to allow easy setup/removal of the UQ. I would love to give credit to the originator as it seems like an elegantly simple solution to a problem.

SE
11-01-2012, 00:56
scum

Here ya go.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=41140

Well done UQ. I suspect that will take you to some very low temps in comfort.
11-01-2012, 01:32
DemostiX

Nice project. It is good to see scum's innovation for high-accessibility UQ rigging make another appearance.

The photos couldn't be sharper illustrations, either, what with the colors of lines you've chosen.
11-01-2012, 06:36
SouthernExposure

Quote:

Originally Posted by scum

Here ya go.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=41140

Well done UQ. I suspect that will take you to some very low temps in comfort.

Mr. Scum, Thank you for this beautiful, adjustable answer to UQ support. Very well done.

This board, and its depth of generously shared knowledge gathered by innovative, considered tinkering is an amazing asset to the internet.

Hang tough.

SouthernExposure
11-01-2012, 08:11
MAD777

Wow! You practically have an insulated hammock sock / peapod there! Great job!!!