cat cut poly tarp?

[Cannibal]

No not that!

My bad; it just seemed like it should be. However, I do feel like some kind of junkie. A slave to the machine.

[gunn parker]

I read something that said "If you look at your sewing machine like a big piece of Crack, you're on your way".

Hi All
Can someone please explain that bit to me, it sounds a bit dodgy to me.
Thanks
Gunn

[blackbishop351]

Hi All
Can someone please explain that bit to me, it sounds a bit dodgy to me.
Thanks
Gunn

Sorry for the US-specific terminology there...

What I meant was that making your own gear can be as addictive as illegal drugs. An exaggeration, of course, but used to make a point.

[FanaticFringer]

Everyone knows crack kills.

[rptinker]

My dad recently gave me a huge (about 30' X 40') poly tarp that he had used as a temporary roof over his house/construction site while building. Parts of it have seen some hard use and show serious wear, but there's a portion of it (a roughly rectangular area about 19' X 13') that's in good shape.

I was wondering if it would be possible to cut a catenary tarp, Black Cat style, out of the good area. Would it work? Would I have to cut it into a hexagonal shape first, cut that in half, and then rejoin the two halves to make it truly catenary?

Aside from whether it would work, it this a good idea? On the downside, this thing is heavy as hell, and it's that typical baby-blue tarp color; I'll look not so much like a hammocker as a consturction site. I also imagine this thing is very loud in wind and rain. On the plus side, it's compltely waterproof and I got it for free.

In the end, I might just donate this thing. Maybe the local little league can cover their very tiny infields or something. But before I do that, I thought I'd ask: Any thoughts from the DIY catenary crowd?

Im sure you could make a cat cut tarp out of it. I've made a diamond tarp out of bits and pieces of blue tarp and it worked fine. The only downside is you have to sew and glue/seal the seams with silicone sealant(specially the ridgeline seam). Do not dilute the silicone sealant with mineral spirit or gasoline b/c it will weaken the seams structurally. Remember that your sealant is also your glue. If you hate sewing you can always ask or pay somebody to do it.

[Coffee]

If you make a cat tarp, I don't see any need to cut it in halft just rto resew it. I may be wrong, But I think that you will be just fine using 1 large piece of material for the whole tarp. Plus that way you will have no sewing to worry about.

[Nails]

If you make a cat tarp, I don't see any need to cut it in halft just rto resew it. I may be wrong, But I think that you will be just fine using 1 large piece of material for the whole tarp. Plus that way you will have no sewing to worry about.

What I was wondering (beside from whether I want to do any of this in the first place) was whether the joining of the two halves in Black Bishop's directions is a necessary part of the catenary shape. I might be wrong, but I thought joining the two halves imparted a certain curve to the seam and that is part of what makes the catenary shape. BB's directions mention the halves as trapezoids, but I seem to remember my mom telling me that "You always end up with some curve out of the [sewing] machine." Of course, she may have just been making excuses for why my clothes didn't fit right or looked like thrift store fire-sale seconds.

As to the frayed edge, I could always duct-tape it. Then I'll REALLY look like a fugitive from the trash heap. It would add lots of fun extra weight as well.

As for getting into DIY sewing, no thanks. I know how you pushers work. First one's free, right? The the next thing I know, I'm curled up on the bathroom floor cuddling a sewing machine and mumbling incoherently about catenary vs. parabolic curves. I choose (a sewing-free) life.

[Hooch]

The the next thing I know, I'm curled up on the bathroom floor cuddling a sewing machine and mumbling incoherently about catenary vs. parabolic curves.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Coffee]

What I was wondering (beside from whether I want to do any of this in the first place) was whether the joining of the two halves in Black Bishop's directions is a necessary part of the catenary shape. I might be wrong, but I thought joining the two halves imparted a certain curve to the seam and that is part of what makes the catenary shape. BB's directions mention the halves as trapezoids, but I seem to remember my mom telling me that "You always end up with some curve out of the [sewing] machine." Of course, she may have just been making excuses for why my clothes didn't fit right or looked like thrift store fire-sale seconds.

As to the frayed edge, I could always duct-tape it. Then I'll REALLY look like a fugitive from the trash heap. It would add lots of fun extra weight as well.

As for getting into DIY sewing, no thanks. I know how you pushers work. First one's free, right? The the next thing I know, I'm curled up on the bathroom floor cuddling a sewing machine and mumbling incoherently about catenary vs. parabolic curves. I choose (a sewing-free) life.

The joining of the material is b/c of the width you can get the sil nylon. It comes in 60" or 66" widths. The shape is defined by the cuts on the sides.

[beamarshall]

My recollection is that the ridgeline is straight. (well, as straight as hanging fabric under tension can be) some of the cat tarps professionally available have a cat cut ridgeline- as well as sides- to tauten (sp?) the pitch, but at some cost in flexibility of set up.
just my .02 lira
Betsy