I have been making these hammock/tarp kits for our scouts to get them into hammock camping. Cheap is the name of the game with most scouts/parents. It does take me a little work (ok, a good bit of work) to get them together, but is inexpensive for the scouts and they still get a sense of making parts of it themselves. I made hammock kits first. I took 1.9oz nylon from Hancock and hemed all of the edges leaving a channel on the ends. I then bought these tie down straps from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...aps-67386.html). I cut the buckle off about a foot down and then sew it back to make a loop then I sew a loop on one end of the long strap I just cut off. The scouts then thread 1/8" rope through the channel and whip it per Knotty's instructions. They then larks head the buckle portion onto the hammock. Wrap the long webbing with the loop in the end around the tree and back through the loop and then feed the loose end through the buckle. The buckle then is the adjustment. And then add a length of 3/16" - 7/32" poly rope for a ridgeline. These kits cost $20 for the parts and weigh about 13-15oz.
Recently I bought a roll of tyvec and a roll of tyvec tape and we started making tarps last week and will finish them this week. we can make 15 - 10ft X 9ft tarps out of the roll. I am not sure of a total weight yet, but I saw where someone estimated tyvec at around 1.9oz/sq yd. So that would be around 19 oz per tarp and they each cost about $12.
So for $32 they have a hammock and tarp that they helped build! The hammocks can be easily upgraded with different suspensions and such as they are just basic whipped end hammocks.
Most of them will be using pads for insulation right now, but i also have plans where they can make underquilts for under $20 each. We will see a little later how much interest there is in that.
I will try to get some pictures tonight and post them.
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