DIY vs purchased: Cost savings?

So I'm looking to make a hammock, and put together a preliminary material list. Using the plans from the diy gear supply site, as well as their prices, I've come up with numbers that are close to what I would spend on new gear. Considering all the effort involved, and the risk of failure (I'm not adept at using the wife's thread injector), am I going the right route? Or am I missing some serious cost-cutting that I could be doing? Right now I'm looking at $100 for materials just for a single-layer hammock and tarp, and I'm not even warm yet!

Can you give us a break down of items and cost?

Just going from the materials list from the DIY projects.

3.5 yd rs nylon $14
2 yd draw cord .50
12' tech line 2
6' amsteel 1/64 1.50
thread 3.65
Hammock total 21.65

7 yd silnylon 43.75
1 yd oxford nylon 4
4' 3/4 nylon webbing 1
6 d-rings .60
Tarp total 49.35

EDIT I forgot the straps
30' 1: poly web $12
4 Al rings 11

Yes, provide some more information and we can help you sort through the project. Some materials are inherently most costly. I sourced out some fabric, netting, and a cheap 8x10 tarp to make hammock kits for my entire Boy Scout troop. Each "kit" worked out to about $30 _per kit_. It was amazing.

BUT, those were using some pretty inexpensive fabrics. The goal was complete cost savings. Papa Smurf helped source the materials and he did a yoman's job finding deals, even sourcing some straps from a local Amish group.

When I made my own hammock, using the same pattern but with better materials (lighter ripstop nylon, lighter no-see-um netting, etc.) the costs went up.

Materials List

1 20ft x 1in polyester webbing straps
1 54 × 132" (1.4 × 3.4 m) no-see-um bug netting
1 60 × 132" (1.5 × 3.4 m) ripstop nylon or polyester fabric
2 ½ × 8" (1.25 × 20 cm) elastic ribbon
1 6' (1.8 m) #3 YKK zipper (w/double pull)
2 60" (1.5 m) of 3/32" shock cord
2 36" (91 cm) 3mm Spectra rope
— Outdoor polyester thread

In my particular case, the only way I've been able to justify DIY is when I want something that I can't readily buy or the project involved is pretty straight forward. Ie my 2 bridge hammocks that I made. There wasn't anything available that had 36" spreader bars and made from crinkle polyester taffeta material. So I had to bite the bullet and do it myself. Fun project, BTW.

Unless you can get your materials very inexpensively and don't place a value on the time involved, DIY can produce some cost savings. For most it doesn't work out that way. For the time involved, some do if for the sake of learning a new skill, others do it because they have the time available.

There are many threads on the merits of DIY vs. buying. It comes down to the points I mentioned above.

Cheers

Brian

I got my 1st hammock for fathers day and started using an old ground cloth as my 1 st tarp. Since then I've made a larger tarp and then bought a Kelty, Noahs tarp 12x12. So far the things I've made have been workable, but if I'm out by myself for 30-60 days next summer, either my sewing will get a lot better or ill buy what I need. I like making gear, I just hate spending money on diy projects that turn out, how shall I say???? I'm afraid my diy gear may fall apart after a week of hard use.

That's not bad. Although, if the Amsteel is for Whoopie Slings, you'll need more like 24 feet for two, six foot slings. You'll probably also need another spool of thread and seam sealer for the tarp and (optional) some no-see-um netting for a bug net. Also, zing-it or tech line for your tarp suspension.


David

Sometimes the experience is worth more than the expense.

Sometime the expense is not worth the experience.

The price you listed is not bad, and is pretty far off from a complete kit brand new from a vendor. Your tarp is the kicker, but you opted for silnylon, which can get expensive quick. I'd say the expense is right on par.

The question becomes are you ready for the experience?

I would offer that you buy a couple of yards of the cheapest fabric you're willing to buy (JoAnn's, Hancock, etc), and start out by making stuff sacks and the sort so you can get some lightweight work under your belt. That will help you figure out if doing the whole gig is worth it for you or not.

My personal experience is that I enjoy sewing and making gear, but I absolutely hate putting in in-ground sprinkler systems - both of which are DIY jobs that I've tackled in times past. One of which I will never do again even if you paid me to...

Good luck on your journey, oh... and pics or it didn't happen :D

If you take DIY as a journey... play with this, experiment with that, etc... it's not cheaper.

If you count your time as free, then it can be cheaper, but not by much... most of the time, our cottage manufacturers are buying fabrics, down, etc, at wholesale...

John

To me the DIY is about pride.
Yep I made that!
Just the other day I showed one of the guys at the Fire dept my bud light beer bottle stove
Tonight he had this big ol grin on his face because he made one also.

My stove is not pretty by no means
But I am happy with it.

It may just be me but $100 for a tarp, hammock, and good suspension seems like a pretty good price. Besides that I like the feeling that comes with knowing that I made it :shades:

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Originally Posted by darkbyrd

Just going from the materials list from the DIY projects.

3.5 yd rs nylon $14
2 yd draw cord .50
12' tech line 2
6' amsteel 1/64 1.50
thread 3.65
Hammock total 21.65

7 yd silnylon 43.75
1 yd oxford nylon 4
4' 3/4 nylon webbing 1
6 d-rings .60
Tarp total 49.35

EDIT I forgot the straps
30' 1: poly web $12
4 Al rings 11

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If you're wanting to go as cheaply as possible you could eliminate the Al rings in the suspension and just use a toggle (sticks work fine). Also you could use 2nds silnylon (7 yards would cost around $38) or if weight isn't a concern the coated ripstop 2nds (7 yards roughly = $20). This would bring your total to around $60 although I would round that up to an even $100 by the time you pay for shipping and all the other extra expenses you'll likely run into (thread, ridge line cord, etc.).

So for a complete set up $100 isn't too terribly bad but it certainly isn't cheap. The only time you will ever come ahead financially in the DIY game is if you happen to have access to cheap materials or are able to re-use other items you already have laying around the house. If you're having to buy all of the raw materials there will be a minimal gain compared to buying from the talented cottage vendors that are out there.

The way I look at DIY projects is that its a hobby. It can be an expensive hobby but it does allow me to make things that I can use for my other hobbies (camping, motorcycling, travelling, etc.). So for me being able to make my own gear has probably saved me money in the long haul since my time would have been spent pursuing some of my other hobbies which also cost $ and would leave me having to purchase all my hammock gear. If you're not going to enjoy making your own gear then the best bet it to just buy it already made.

As always HYOY.

To get started as cheaply as possible, go Used.

1.Most DIYers make multiple items.
2. "Normal people" normally buy more than one or each item while "getting it just right".

You also, unless you are an experienced crafter, will have to make more than one hammock to be satisfied.

Buy your first item used. Expect to pay about half for a lightly used example.
I don't feel you can make stuff competitively versus half of list price.

Then, with real life experience, you will be better prepared to create your dream project.

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Originally Posted by firemedic

To me the DIY is about pride.
Yep I made that!
Just the other day I showed one of the guys at the Fire dept my bud light beer bottle stove
Tonight he had this big ol grin on his face because he made one also.

My stove is not pretty by no means
But I am happy with it.

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Well said. That's how I feel about my diy tarp. It ain't pretty, but it works, & I made it. I'll let you know how I feel about the insultex uq after I test it for fit and warmth. Scott's design is straight forward and doesn't cost much at all.

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Originally Posted by mitchrob23

It may just be me but $100 for a tarp, hammock, and good suspension seems like a pretty good price. Besides that I like the feeling that comes with knowing that I made it :shades:

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Yeah, I don't think that you could buy something already made for very close to $100. Add on another $40 and you can make an insultex underquilt.

I also completely agree with mitchrob about the pride factor. That's pretty big for me.

Many people say that you have to consider the value of your time while doing DIY projects, but I say, if you're enjoying doing it isn't it just another hobby? Do people that like to golf, or fish have to put a monetary value on the time they spend doing those things?

IMO DIY is not worth the cost savings when all is said and done. Don't get me wrong, I am an avid DIY person. But if you are doing it for sole purpose of saving money, it is not worth to me. There are lots of reasons to DIY but sheer cost savings is not one.

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Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

IMO DIY is not worth the cost savings when all is said and done. Don't get me wrong, I am an avid DIY person. But if you are doing it for sole purpose of saving money, it is not worth to me. There are lots of reasons to DIY but sheer cost savings is not one.

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Very well put! Its not about saving money, its about you making custom designed gear for your own use, with your own hands. On the other hand, if you compared DIY to paying someone to custom sew gear for you, its a pretty good deal! For me, its all about the creative process--------its very enjoyable and satisfying to come up with new designs (as long as they work, and as long as I dont need them for a trip the next day!)

DIY isn't just about saving money. If you don't count your time and plan your project well, you can spend siginificantly less than buying new. But for me, most DIY (along with saving some money) is about having something that I can't buy exactly the way I want it to be.

You prices look about right. Try it and see how it goes. You may become an avid DIYer, or decide you'd rather support cottage vendors. You'll never know until you try.

To avoid frustration, you may want to try simple projects first. Most people suggest stuff sacks, but a gathered end hammock is pretty simple too. Tarps are a step up in difficulty due to the size of fabric, and making the cat cuts if you go that route. IX quilts are easy using the plans at DIY Gear Supply. Down quilts are more challenging with the multiple parts, and working with the down. Build your skill before you tackle big projects.

Pretty pleased with all the DIY I have done. There is a feeling of satisfaction that comes from it.
Now though...I am done with it. So many terrific vendors to buy from.
Shug

I enjoy showing off my homemade gear and having someone ask, "You made that?" It's pretty cool. I don't know how much I actually saved if any, but the pride the others have mentioned is worth it. No one has a hammock like mine!

I've done DIY in order to get exactly what I want. If I can buy something off of the shelf that fits my needs I compare the price of materials to the finished product from the manufacturer, before I decide to DIY or not. My work is seasonal and money is tighter in the winter, but I have plenty of time then, so that also factors into whether I DIY or not. Usually, for me, DIYing is little or no cost savings.

I decided to create my own hammocks so I could totally overbuild everything. I currently weigh 370 lbs, and for my recent bike trip, I wanted to be ready to hang from a wide variety of locations, so I built a suspension that would work for trees that were as much as 30' apart (meaning low angles on the suspension==>very high stress on the lines). So I went with a double-wall hammock, Amsteel 7/64 for the ridgeline, and doubled or tripled Amsteel up to the tree straps.

I used mostly "seconds" fabric from DIY Gear Supply, and I've been very happy with the results. The occasional off-color thread or the messed-up camo print just add to the beauty of the final product in my opinion. I used aluminum nails (rain gutter nails) for tarp stakes, and I bought my cord by the spool. My webbing and carabiners were from other projects; I made some of my own hooks etc. out of aluminum left over from other projects, using drills, saws, and grinders from other projects. I'd say that up to this point, I haven't saved a dime, but I have a lot of fabric and cord left over for more projects.

My immediate payoff was making stuff I couldn't easily buy. To do this, I spent lots of hours learning to sew again (hadn't done much in 15 years), learning to clean and oil the sewing machine, making a parabola for cat cuts on the tarps, muttering curses I don't want the kids (or even the pets) to hear when I had to rip out yards of a flat-felled seam that was also sewn into the middle of a tarp panel, learning to bury splices and make soft shackles, etc. If all this sounds like a good time, then DIY is for you.

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Originally Posted by Hiknhanger

I enjoy showing off my homemade gear and having someone ask, "You made that?" It's pretty cool. I don't know how much I actually saved if any, but the pride the others have mentioned is worth it. No one has a hammock like mine!

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I agree with Hiknhanger. I know I can buy most things from the vendors, at a price equal or close to what it will cost me to DIY. I enjoy showing off custom work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firemedic

To me the DIY is about pride.
Yep I made that!
Just the other day I showed one of the guys at the Fire dept my bud light beer bottle stove
Tonight he had this big ol grin on his face because he made one also.

My stove is not pretty by no means
But I am happy with it.

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I feel the same way. I saved about 20% on my underquilt vs buying and when people ask me where I got it I can say, "I made it". I would say DIY pays off if you are successful. But if you buy $100 worth of stuff and it doesn't work out, and you buy premade, then you're purchase cost $100 more than it should have.

My neighbor's wife used to say when her husband started a home improvement project, it was going to cost twice what he thought it would, and require five trips to lowes.

Thanks for the insights. When it is time to pull the trigger, I may have decided what route I want to go. I was also going to make the IX quilt also described on the DIY gear supply site. Maybe I'll make some stuff, and buy some used. I have the time, but when the investment in materials is as much as buying it put together, the time might be better spent elsewhere. Besides, I don't even know what I want yet!

I do things in threes. Me, my son, and an extra for my husband, mom or one of Dakota's friends. DIY has saved me bundles! I have the time, so why not. It also gives me pride, but the $ I've saved has been well worth the frustration of learning a new skill and worth the time it takes to make. Only draw back is that I can't seem to stop, and it has created a very real problem in our home.

I agree with another poster about starting with a couple small projects. My first two projects were a ridgeline organizer and a stuff sack. From there I made a tarp. I was very pleased with how it turned out. Some things you make will cost almost as much as new. I just got my materials for making a new hammock with an integrated bugnet yesterday. Total cost was $52. To buy a hammock like I will be making would cost between $150-$200. The cost difference will pay off on this project and it will be exactly how I want it. That being said, I bought a Hammock Gear Phoenix a few months back. I couldn't come close to the quality craftsmanship of that piece of gear. I love it! It just depends on what you want to do. Don't be afraid of the DIY route, though. In the end, it's worth it to use a piece of gear you made yourself. :)

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Originally Posted by ibgary

Well said. That's how I feel about my diy tarp. It ain't pretty, but it works, & I made it. I'll let you know how I feel about the insultex uq after I test it for fit and warmth. Scott's design is straight forward and doesn't cost much at all.

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Ok, the insultex uq is done, and its warm. I think the next project will be converting my sleeping bag into a top quilt.

I started with DIY because I couldn't afford $50+ for a basic hammock, but I could afford $25 for the material to make one. Since then I've made my own tarp and quilts and a few other odds and ends. DIY may not be cheaper al teh time, but I can buy materials as the funds are available and stockpile until I have everything I need for a project. I've never been great at saving and budgeting cash. and having myself a $150 biweekly allowance for food/gas/incidentals means I don't have much left over for gear purchases. And it would take me several years to save up enough to buy a premade down quilt from one of our cottage vendors. But by finding a great deal on a down pillow and purchasing ripstop on sale I was able to put my quilts together in only a few months.

DIY can be cheaper, but you have to be a bit creative at times sourcing material. :cool:

I like to make gear for the fun of it. Sometimes I save a little bit of money, sometimes I don't. I know what I can do and I buy what I can't (always from cottage vendors).

I tend to go both routes. I DIY for myself if I have something specific in mind or I buy from HF vendors for others. Otherwise, I DIY for my neices and nephews, friends, family, god children and who else I can gift and get out hammocking!

I love making gear, I love tinkering with different designs and coming up with new solutions, I love the pride I gain from my projects, I love how crazy it drives my wife when I say, "Darlin could you help me with this down? It'll only take a sec.", and I LOVE the amount of money I save.

I got to admit that I also love it when I sell something on the forum that I made so that I can fund the next project or get rid of excess and I get compliments on my work from people that know what it should look like.

I got into DIY to make a few things. I'm a remodeling contractor by trade and consequently like playing with tools. A thread injector is a tool and it's been fun/interesting/frustrating/frightful learning to use it properly. So far, I've copied some of what's available, but now I'm working on some designs that may or may not work, but look promising for my needs. Have saved some $$$ on bug nets & hammocks for all my grand children who requested them. Have a few things I'd like to sell, but am too embarrassed to have them seen. Good for hanging in the back yard practicing my dark of night set-ups.

I have found that in the beginning, DIY was not cheaper, but for my projects I always buy a little extra material and supplies than I need. After time, and many projects, I have a good stash of surplus raw materials. Now I have all the necessary items to make projects for nothing. It feels like it is cheaper now, and as far as my wife is concerned, it is….don’t tell her anything different! :scared: The cost all balances out in the end. It is worth it to me, I enjoy making items for myself and others.

+1 to those who have talked about DIY not for the sole purpose of saving money but for the pride factor.

I started DIY projects about 6 years ago as a means of learning new skills and passing those barely learned skills on to others in our BSA troop. You can tell it's my gear beause the stitching is not perfect, but I take pride in knowing my hands made that gear and subscriber to the notion "she may not be the belle of the ball but I'd marry her time and time again".

I have less than $200 invested in all my gear combined, however I am as comfortable as those who have spent thousands.

I confess to looking at cans of soup, beer, string beans, etc. completely differently since I started to turn them into stoves.

Just had a thought-------its kind of like a business,-- some things it makes sense to take care of in house---------in other cases out sourcing is the wisest choice! A good balance would be some diy,some new store bought items, and maybe even some used items. :)

My DIY experience....In my opinion DIY is what you make of it (pun half intended). I've got a fairly decent down underquilt for about $30. Try to buy one for that price, I dare you. $15 for 1.1 nylon and shipping from DIY Gear Supply, $10 thrift store blanket and $5 in shock cord. If you count your time though (especially on your first big project)...researching, deciding, 2nd guessing your diff. cut calculations, staring blankly at your fabric before you cut, being frustrated, spending the next month finding down floating in random locations of your home, and you're suddenly looking at (100hrs*$8/hr) an $800 underquilt. Then you finish with it and realize you love it, but want to create another one with a couple mods. Then you have the following "priceless" 6conversation with your wife.
Wife: So what is it?
You: An underquilt.
Wife:huh?
You: It goes under the hammock and keeps you warm.
Wife:It looks small, it can't even cover you, how is it going to keep you warm.
You: It's a 3/4 underquilt.
Wife: huh?
You: Lemme just set it up and show you. (After it's all set up)
Wife: Oh, that's neat, can you do the dishes now?

In conclusion, DIY can save money, it can cost more money, can leave you satisfied or not.

Thanks, now the dishes please. LOL.

I took a sewing class so I can make some of my own gear, repair (hopefully) stuff I broke and understand how something was made.

I don't think I am saving much if any money overall by the time I factor in my time and cost of materials (lets face, the cottage vendors are buying in bulk so they are getting better prices that I can ordering small quanitites).

As others have stated I can now make some things that I want that are not offered from any vendors.

I will continue to order from the cottage vendors as there is still much gear out there I know I will never be able to make myself ( Dutch Gear for examble )

I started making my own stuff 2 years ago. I got really serious about a year ago. I spent $18 on a nice Singer 201 I found in Goodwill. I buy ripstop seconds from DIY Gear Supply.

For me personally, it's to save money and more importantly to learn new skills that interest me. Yes, "projects" can be expensive sometimes, but that's part of the fun. My time is worth something only to me.

Anything you do that brings you or others joy, is certainly worth it - whether it cost alot or not.

Now not only do I look at trees while I'm driving or cycling and say "Oh - that's a good hanging spot", but I am always looking at fabrics in stores to see what I can make from them.

I started diy after I realized I couldn't find gear that did exactly what I wanted. Sometimes it's a lot cheaper and sometimes it not. But with some practice and creativity, you can make anything you can dream up or want to copy.

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Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

IMO DIY is not worth the cost savings when all is said and done. Don't get me wrong, I am an avid DIY person. But if you are doing it for sole purpose of saving money, it is not worth to me. There are lots of reasons to DIY but sheer cost savings is not one.

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I disagree. I like to DIY just about everything just because I like things custom. However, I am DIYing 2 UQs and 2 TQs purely because of cost(im not a big fan of sewing). The cost to buy 4 TQ and UQs is ridiculous. I just cant afford the Down products when you have to multiply everything by 2. I can make all 4 quilts for the cost of 1 and a half quilts bought online. When quilts are hitting the $250 and up range, it starts to carry significant weight for choosing to DIY over store bought. I guess the opinions will vary when coming from people who can afford to spend the money vs people who cant, like me.
DIYing to save money is a great reason because it allows people who otherwise wouldnt be able to afford to enjoy the outdoors in the same or similar fashion of those with nice gear, a chance to do so. IMO

I just ordered a table cloth for $12 and a marlin spike whoopie kit from arrowhead equipment for $17... That plus a little cordage to tie the ends and maybe an adjustable ridgeline for $13... And you are good to go... And that's for a 10'+ hammock...

DIY hopefully should provide something that buying gear doesn't. PRIDE. Just like a good hard days work you can look back and admire your work. DIY'ing even if it costs the same or more as buying ready made gear it is yours and it will be customized for you, by you. You will know the ins and outs of that gear and that is great knowledge to have, and if it fails for what ever reason you will then know how to repair it, saving money in the long run.

OK lots of reasons for DIY...

Joy of innovation, researching, tinkering, and building it just the way I want it. There is that pride of I made that.

The cost of building a fleet for the family this Christmas is a major factor when having to buy many sets to keep every body happy. DIY means they get it there way too. The cost savings plays out multiple ways. The whole set up would have cost me thousands, complete off the shelf, but that's not really the point I suppose. When I factor in that the lead female:boggle: elf in my Santa's DIY workshop would insist I spend one on one time with her out on the town; easily a prospect of $50-200 for a few short hours. At 30-50 DIY hours that gets crazy expensive when you add it all up. Factor in the cost savings for the one on one time, cost of materials, bonus:wuv:....... we'll just say DIY is well worth it:blush:.

I do have to admit my hammocks will not be thread injected unfortunately. Since Mrs. lead elf insists my thread injector is broken we determined it best for her to sew them. But I got to make all the whoopie :thumbup: slings.

I've gotta say I prefer the DIY route. I recently got into this whole hammock thing and half of what I like doing it the DIY creations and seeing them work. The thread injector (AKA witches machine) was tough for me to learn, but after you get the hang of it, the knowledge is invaluable since June of this year I have DIY'ed a hammock, whoopie slings, hex tarp, and under quilt. I've saved a ton of money and really enjoyed it.

My hammock cost under 30
Whoopie slings were maybe 10 bucks
the hex tarp was a bit more but still only around 40

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Originally Posted by jrs62284

I've gotta say I prefer the DIY route. I recently got into this whole hammock thing and half of what I like doing it the DIY creations and seeing them work. The thread injector (AKA witches machine) was tough for me to learn, but after you get the hang of it, the knowledge is invaluable since June of this year I have DIY'ed a hammock, whoopie slings, hex tarp, and under quilt. I've saved a ton of money and really enjoyed it.

My hammock cost under 30
Whoopie slings were maybe 10 bucks
the hex tarp was a bit more but still only around 40

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The tarps is the only place that I cant seem to save money on. Silnylon is just so expensive and by time you buy all the other needed components for the tarp, you just about equaled the cost of buying one new. I tried pricing it 3 different ways using different suppliers and I only really save about $10. Shipping is the main cost eater for Silnylon tarp components. As for all the other types of gear for hammocking; I have found DIY is a huge cost saver, especially when it comes to building 2 of everything.

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Originally Posted by XTrekker

The tarps is the only place that I cant seem to save money on. Silnylon is just so expensive and by time you buy all the other needed components for the tarp, you just about equaled the cost of buying one new. I tried pricing it 3 different ways using different suppliers and I only really save about $10. Shipping is the main cost eater for Silnylon tarp components. As for all the other types of gear for hammocking; I have found DIY is a huge cost saver, especially when it comes to building 2 of everything.

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You can get Silnylon 2nds from Scott at Backwoods Day Dreamer for $5.50/yd. I made a hex tarp out of 7 yds of the stuff and it is great. Don't know why they call it seconds, I've had it out in a real frog drowner of a storm and it held up great. No misting/leaking/anything but dry underneath.

I just recently made my second hammock and took maybe 2 and a half hours at most ( cutting fabric with a hot knife and sewing ) . This latest one was a double layer ( 1.5 lbs ) and actually weighs less than the my first one which was single layer ( 2.7 lbs ) ( the weight includes suspension on both ) . I have gotten real lucky at the Wally World Dollar Bin and between both I have spent maybe $35 to include the 1000 meter spool of Gutermann 100% poly thread I picked up at JoAnn's. The first one I gave away to my Cousin who is stationed at Ft Benning, Ga and was home on leave for Thanksgiving. He was really surprised when I gave it to him and he was amazed I could use a thread injector and said I had mad skills. I took pride in knowing he really appreciated something I made and was not off the shelf store bought. I will keep on DIY'ing as long as I can make things the way I want them at a price my wife doesn't get mad about me spending money for materials on.