DIY Cuben Tarp - minimal sewing, using VHB Tape

**SGT Rock** · 11-01-2011, 06:53

That sounds similar to my first efforts at the pull outs. I had a hard time getting the sewing machine to sew the patches without bunching the material up and making a mess on that version. Glad it worked for you, probably what made it work was your larger patches than I used.

**Alligator** · 11-01-2011, 20:54

I did ruin two triangles right away. The bar tacks I made weren't particularly even either. What I figured out for sewing this was to mark off 6 inch squares and mark the diagonals but not cut them. I sewed the loops onto the triangles, prepped them with primer and tape then I cut them, 4 triangles to a square. I got the idea from the way you had laid out all of your pullouts together to get the tape on them easier.

**SGT Rock** · 11-02-2011, 06:43

I did something like the first time I tried making my pull outs - they were smaller than yours though, and even leaving them all together on the sheet for sewing it didn't work so well, but it did work.

**fuzzie** · 11-07-2011, 15:10

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

A friend of mine asked me to make him a Cuben Tarp. As some may know, I did mine using VHB tape for most of the work, keeping sewing to a minimum. I think it makes for a stronger tarp overall.

So this time I made a video about it so you DIY guys can see how it is done. Maybe it will help some of you to think through a Cuben Tarp DIY project, maybe it will scare some of you off.

Great video! After watching how much is involved in this, I think this might be one of those pieces of gear I just have to break down and buy. At least now everyone understands why these cost so much...with the cost of the cuben fiber and all the hard work, $300 almost sounds too cheap!

How long did it take you to make it? Maybe, just maybe, I can find some time when the kids are out of the house (or asleep) long enough to make one.

**SGT Rock** · 11-07-2011, 18:59

I didn't track time, but I would guess about 6 hours.

**freakfx** · 11-09-2011, 15:45

well thought out and executed video Thank you so much for the effort of making this. Makes me a feel alotmore comfortable spending the money on cuben and not having to experiment with it.

**Desiel** · 01-05-2012, 16:37

You guys think the 3M Adhesive Transfer Tape 9485PC would work on polyester for adding pull-outs?

**BushcraftNsite** · 01-05-2012, 17:07

awesome vid, yeah once ya go cuben you dont go back. living in the future is rad haha

**SGT Rock** · 01-05-2012, 19:10

Originally Posted by Desiel

You guys think the 3M Adhesive Transfer Tape 9485PC would work on polyester for adding pull-outs?

I don't know. I'm waiting to hear from someone that tries it.

**Violent Green** · 01-05-2012, 22:33

Originally Posted by Desiel

You guys think the 3M Adhesive Transfer Tape 9485PC would work on polyester for adding pull-outs?

Polyester webbing? I know 9485pc sticks very well to nylon grosgrain for tie outs if you wanted to try that. Either way, I can mail you a little 9485pc if you want to test it out.

Ryan