I feel so ashamed...

**JerryW** · 09-03-2009, 17:25

I was all ready to order supplies to make a new winter tarp with doors. Ed Speer has the best price on silnylon so I was looking around his website. Then what do I see? His SWT is on sale.

For the price, and knowing how long it would take me to make it myself, and no crooked seams, and, and, and...you get the idea. I just couldn't pass it up. I put it in the cart and hit the 'pay now' button.

I kinda feel like I let down the whole DIY community.

Please don't banish me, I promise to make it up. Now I can start on the down underquilt I've been trying to talk myself out of! (I really need to stop talking to myself!

)

Jerry

**shrek** · 09-03-2009, 17:35

No shame necessary. I picked up a SWT from Ed, on sale, at the Hot Springs hang in June. Everything doesn't have to be DIY. Think of it as admiring his handiwork.

**sclittlefield** · 09-03-2009, 17:56

Supporting the Hammocking community is right on par with DIY in my book. Underquilt sounds like fun... sort of... maybe.

And besides. Who can live with just one tarp anyway? You know you'll have to make one sometime.

**Shug** · 09-03-2009, 19:08

Go for it! ..... let others do the tedium and you support it. Be proud.
Be not ashamed. Your smart!

**MacEntyre** · 09-03-2009, 19:28

Now you have more time for other DIY projects!

- MacEntyre

**JerryW** · 09-03-2009, 19:30

Thanks for the support guys! I thought someone might mention the new GG pack I just bought, but I'd have to come back with the fact that I DIY'd a Molly Mac Pack clone, so it evens out.

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

Who can live with just one tarp anyway? You know you'll have to make one sometime.

This will make number two. I already made a nice hex tarp. I also made snap on doors, but I really wanted a bigger tarp with permanent doors.

Never enough stuff!

JW

**MacEntyre** · 09-03-2009, 19:40

Originally Posted by JerryW

...I DIY'd a Molly Mac Pack clone...

Where's the pictures and trip report?

- MacEntyre
"Flattery makes friends and truth makes enemies." Spanish Proverb

**Optimus** · 09-03-2009, 19:41

Jerry, I've been struggling with the same dilemma. After pricing the material and considering the time commitment, I am realizing some of the bargains out there too.

It's a tough call tho . . . so far I've made my own hammock and UQ. The dream of a completely homemade sleep/shelter system is a hard one to give up on.

Maybe I'll order an OES Standard, and add my own doors . . . (to make me feel better)

**JerryW** · 09-03-2009, 19:56

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Where's the pictures and trip report?

MacEntyre - I figured if anyone caught that remark, it would be you.

No trip report yet, but here's a couple of quick pics. Similar in size, added a pocket on the waist belt. There's a lot of sewing...er, thread injecting on this thing. Man, those shoulder straps were a pain to make! All the respect to you!!

How's it go - imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

Jerry

**MacEntyre** · 09-03-2009, 21:03

Looks like you sewed on the shoulder straps, and added two more columns to the PALS array. Your pack must be a good bit wider than the MMP. Have you tried attaching any MOLLE gear? It looks like the webbing rows are pretty far apart.

I'm tempted to make a DIY kit for the MMP shoulder straps. They are relatively simple to make.

Good job!

- MacEntyre