DIY Tarp - Kit Ripstop By The Roĺl

**bassnboots** · 01-13-2018, 12:52

I want to make my first DIY Tarp for my 11 ft Dream Hammock- Sparrow. New to Hammocking. I settled on getting the Pre-Cut UL kit. Being from Texas, I'm not sure on Winter Tarp or Hex Tarp.
Anyone have opinion on this Kit? For Flexibility- which tarp setup is best for most camping. Any recommendations
would be appreciated.

**Otter1** · 01-13-2018, 14:01

Well since you mention flexibility, make the tarp with doors. You can easily clip them together when not needed, yet they are there when the hard, sideways blow hits ya.

**MikekiM** · 01-13-2018, 18:34

I agree with Otter1.. Doors make a huge difference.

The UL kits use Silpoly Membrane. A few words of caution are due. SilPoly Membrane is super thin and slippery. It could be a real challenge to work with if this is your first DIY project. In addition, considering how thin it is, it's almost transparent. I just started working on an Asym in 0.9 SilPoly Membrane in Olive Yellow and you can see right through it. Since it will be my UL kit, for when I am running light, fast and probably solo, I don't mind it. But for a group hang it offers nearly no privacy. Other colors might prove to be more opaque.

I also bought supplies to make a 1.1 SilPoly Hex.. it's still challenging to work with considering how thin and slippery it is, but it's more opaque than the membrane. I opted for no doors because I have a Superfly as well. If I didn't have the Superfly I most certainly would have gone for the Hex with doors.

**Country Roads** · 01-13-2018, 19:36

As has been stated, silpoly is eel slippery. I had no issues with the ridge line; I do a felled French seam for that. To make the reinforcements, I cut them and pre-glued them on with a small amount of thinned down silicone seam sealer. I smeared a bit of the sealer on in the general area of attachment, placed the reinforcement on and weighted each of them with weight plates from my weight set. I then let them sit overnight and then rolled and sewed the edges. The sealant did not gum up the needle and was so much easier than trying to keep the pieces in place by hand or even by pinning or clipping and the finish was much cleaner. I then just sewed the pull outs on.
As for doors or no doors: Go for the doors; you will need them in summer monsoons.

**MoldyFrog** · 01-14-2018, 02:09

I'll fourth the doors. Easy to pin back when not needed, very useful when it's nasty outside and a small weight penalty for the gains.

**MikekiM** · 01-14-2018, 09:14

Originally Posted by Country Roads

....I cut them and pre-glued them on with a small amount of thinned down silicone seam sealer. I smeared a bit of the sealer on in the general area of attachment, placed the reinforcement on and weighted each of them with weight plates from my weight set. I then let them sit overnight and then rolled and sewed the edges. The sealant did not gum up the needle and was so much easier than trying to keep the pieces in place by hand or even by pinning or clipping and the finish was much cleaner. I then just sewed the pull outs on.....

^^^^Exactly what I am doing....

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/blogs/t...s-and-shelters

**kitsapcowboy** · 01-14-2018, 09:30

If you want one tarp for all conditions with a minimal amount of fuss, definitely build one with doors, as others have suggested.

However, if you want flexibility in being able to adjust the pack size and weight of your shelter system from trip to trip, especially if most of your adventures will be in milder weather, a hex tarp with an add-on beak at the head end is a viable alternative. The beak itself adds only about 100 grams and can be left at home on trips where you won't need it.

**bassnboots** · 01-14-2018, 10:33

Fantastic Advice. Thanks guys for the help. Like most things , I get started in doing new stuff and I end up getting replacement gear. I hope to have multifunctional gear. As I learn more about Backpacking/Hammocking, I'm sure to my gear will get upgraded. For now, I hope to save some bucks on the DIY gear.