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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    DYI - How much do you actually save

    I am curious to know how much money you save, on average, building your own gear.

    For instance an average 10x8 tarp may cost $X but you do it for cost $J or a regular 30 degree TQ (or UQ) costs $W but you do it for $T.

    Also, when you calculate your cost for doing a DYI project do you calculate an hourly production cost for your time?


    We get into this debate all the time at work but it normally relates to home improvement and it got me thinking about Hammock and Backpacking gear.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Syb's Avatar
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    For me, the savings is minor but the satisfaction level is through the roof. Same with home improvement (the satisfaction part especially). But I guess it's all a matter of how much time do you want to invest? That said, materials can be cheaper but hourly costs are usually more.
    Syb
    Enjoy the elevation

  3. #3
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Here's a prior thread which explores this very question. The dialog runs the gamut. The same issues are involved in gear making as in home improvement. How you rate the value of your time is a personal decision. I doubt there is any standard answer.

    Quote Originally Posted by Breck View Post
    I am curious to know how much money you save, on average, building your own gear.

    For instance an average 10x8 tarp may cost $X but you do it for cost $J or a regular 30 degree TQ (or UQ) costs $W but you do it for $T.

    Also, when you calculate your cost for doing a DYI project do you calculate an hourly production cost for your time?


    We get into this debate all the time at work but it normally relates to home improvement and it got me thinking about Hammock and Backpacking gear.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
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    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

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  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    Here's a prior thread which explores this very question. The dialog runs the gamut. The same issues are involved in gear making as in home improvement. How you rate the value of your time is a personal decision. I doubt there is any standard answer.
    Thanks for the link. I should have done a better search on that one.

  5. #5
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Its more a hobby, or a curse, depending on how you look at it.
    DIY can cost you in higher cost per yard vs. a cottage guys bulk purchase, mistakes, numerous returns to the store for "needed" items.
    Initial cost may include the machine, thread, fabric, accessories, plus shipping. And time, a lot of time at first. Learning all the tricks will speed up the process for the next project.

    But there is a great satisfaction from laying inside your creation.
    Some folks tinker with cars, others collect antiques, pick your poison.

    Cheaper, not at first. But with experiences learned, it can be a rewarding hobby.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Jazilla's Avatar
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    It depends. I just finished a DIY Blackbird. Material I got from JustJeff years ago for $1.36 a yard. Suspension I got for $.15ft and zipper I got for $3. Thread I got at Joann's for ... less than $5 (can't remember price, had it a while). So my hammock so far with no bug net has run me about $11.28. Plus $2.37 for the 2mm dyneema cord on my ridgeline that is $13.65. As for time, well everyone's time is priceless but DIY is all about two things. Having fun doing the project and saving yourself money.
    Yosemite Sam: Are you trying to make me look a fool?
    Bugs: You don't need me to make you look like a fool.
    Yosemite Sam: Yer deerrrnnn right I don't!

  7. #7
    Senior Member Randy's Avatar
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    I could have bought 2 black birds for what I have spent on a sewing machine and supplies. And still ended up with a hammock.

    But for me I like messing with this stuff.
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  8. #8
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    For me DIY is an avoidance issue.... just trying to dodge what I should be doing and doing what I want to do!
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  9. #9
    Senior Member exup's Avatar
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    I can personally contest that in many situations that the project either ends up a failure or you spend twice the amount of hours working on it than you would working to make the money to buy something of professional quality. I failed at a backpack I worked hard and long on and ended up spending half as much as a full price pack would be. I'm not going to quit with the diy but now I know a bit more of what to expect.

    I was actually planning to make an 11' x 8' tarp with silnylon (I assume a straight rectangle would be easier) I check prices of black silnylon and other cost, then check Brian at oes site and it would have been about $10 more for him to make it for me haha. So I didn't do it. Like Gargoyle said, we have to purchase at consumer cost while vendors have accounts to get the stuff cheaper and sell at a very reasonable price.

  10. #10
    Senior Member hangnout's Avatar
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    The first project almost always cost more that buying once you factor all the hidden cost. Sure you can make a netless diy hammock cheap but once you add a bugnet etc you can still approach the cost of a new hammock.

    I agree with the post above. I am a die hard DIYer but tarps are an area that are not worth the diy time unless you are trying a new design. The retail cost of cuben or silnylon with shipping can almost be the cost of a tarp at retail. I have made several tarps but the next one I will purchase.

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