$300 full DIY set up

**MrClockWork** · 11-20-2011, 16:50

So I am newly married and on a budget so that we can really go gung-ho on our student loans but I am still trying to get a full working set up together. I recently got a sewing machine (I still feel like a goober calling it a thread injector) and I seem to be catching on pretty quickly and I enjoy the tinkering, like any good man would.

I have been working on ideas for a full DIY setup and I kept wondering how much money I would actually save by making everything myself. Today I went ahead on estimations of fabrics and priced it out and to my surprise it was under $300! Good news for the bank account

My thoughts were that I would start with the hammock, since that will be my first project with ripstop and it is the easiest. Then I would progress in difficulty and hope that my skill acquisition keeps up with the demands of the project.

Project progression as planned: hammock -> tarp -> UQ -> TQ

So here are the materials, sites and prices listed out. I tried to use as few sites as possible and I got lazy on the TQ and went with a kit but it probably pretty close and it is made with momentum rather than 1.1, probably over kill but it was easier. If someone wants to price out the materials with the sites I would appreciate it for comparison. These are all pre-tax and w/o shipping.

Hammock:
3yds- 1.5 ripstop (I am 220lbs) -> DIYgearsupply.com= $10.05
30ft- 7/64 amsteel -> DIYgearsupply.com= $7.50
20ft- 1" polyester webbing -> DIYgearsupply.com= $8.00

Tarp: (going for something similar to a Big Daddy or Mamba Jamba
7yds- 1.1 silnylon 2nds -> DIYgearsupply.com= $38.50
3yds- 1/2" grosgain -> DIYgearsupply.com= $0.84
6 linelocs -> DIYgearsupply.com= $1.64

UQ: (will be upgraded to down eventually. Wife will inherit this one)
4yds- 1.1 ripstop -> DIYgearsupply.com= $12.80
2yds- 5.0 oz ClimaSheild Apex -> Thru-hiker.com= $31.90
25ft- 1/8" shockcord -> DIYgearsupply.com= $6.25

TQ
kit from Thru-hiker.com= $159.95

100ft of Zing-it for guylines and ridgelines from outdoortrailgear.com= $22.00

Grand Total: $299.47

Pretty sweet huh?!?!

I figure this setup would get me to 20* pretty comfortably. I know there are some hardware pieces that I did not include but I didn't want to hunt down the prices for prices. Any thoughts would be much appreciated

**Veto 65** · 11-20-2011, 17:07

That is sweet. Its you people with the ambition that is going to get me into going the DIY route. I've tried several times and failed more or less.

Great work on your research.

**DavyRay** · 11-20-2011, 17:08

If that is a gathered-end hammock, I would get 3.5 or 4 yards. I weigh 240 or so, and would use 1.9oz ripstop. Actually, I'd prefer polyester for the body material. Are you sure 9 feet of fabric is enough? Of course, there is no end to personal preferences in a project like this.

I don't remember how much Amsteel I bought, but I've used a good bit learning to splice it properly.

**MrClockWork** · 11-20-2011, 17:16

Originally Posted by DavyRay

If that is a gathered-end hammock, I would get 3.5 or 4 yards. I weigh 240 or so, and would use 1.9oz ripstop. Actually, I'd prefer polyester for the body material. Are you sure 9 feet of fabric is enough? Of course, there is no end to personal preferences in a project like this.

I don't remember how much Amsteel I bought, but I've used a good bit learning to splice it properly.

I think the 1.5 ripstop would work for me. I estimated the numbers based off of the weight ratings listed on the warbonnet site. I am 5'11" so with the hight+2' formula for a gathered end hammock this should do just about right. I would probably use the whole 3yds to make it as long as I could.

When I order materials I will definitely order a little extra of everything for wiggle room (read: to compensate for screwing up) and to build up a supply for modifying bought gear and general tinkering.

**DavyRay** · 11-20-2011, 17:20

Originally Posted by MrClockWork

I think the 1.5 ripstop would work for me. I estimated the numbers based off of the weight ratings listed on the warbonnet site. I am 5'11" so with the height+2' formula for a gathered end hammock this should do just about right. I would probably use the whole 3yds to make it as long as I could.

When I order materials I will definitely order a little extra of everything for wiggle room (read: to compensate for screwing up) and to build up a supply for modifying bought gear and general tinkering.

Sounds good. You've done your homework.

**nothermark** · 11-20-2011, 18:10

height plus 2 finished or started? I'd add another yard of hammock material ans use leftovers for stuff sacks. YMMV.

**Roadrunnr72** · 11-20-2011, 18:40

Originally Posted by MrClockWork

I think the 1.5 ripstop would work for me. I estimated the numbers based off of the weight ratings listed on the warbonnet site. I am 5'11" so with the height+2' formula for a gathered end hammock this should do just about right. I would probably use the whole 3yds to make it as long as I could.

When I order materials I will definitely order a little extra of everything for wiggle room (read: to compensate for screwing up) and to build up a supply for modifying bought gear and general tinkering.

I think that you need 2' at each end. So, 5'11" plus 4 feet= 9'11" + seam allowance. Your better off getting the 4 yrds. It may kick you over your $300, but your would be better off.

**MrClockWork** · 11-20-2011, 18:46

Originally Posted by Roadrunnr72

I think that you need 2' at each end. So, 5'11" plus 4 feet= 9'11" + seam allowance. Your better off getting the 4 yrds. It may kick you over your $300, but your would be better off.

I will have to play around with this some more. I have an ENO dblnest so I will get something to make a RL out of and play with the lay and then make my final call on length off of that.

The goal wasn't to be under $300 actually. I really wasn't trying to get by as cheap as possible either but it was kinda cool that it turned out THAT close to $300.

I am pretty weight conscious (as much as you can be on a budget anyway) so if I can get away with a shorter hammock (not baring comfort, of course

) then I will do that just to save some weight. But... that is another discussion for many other threads.

Keep the feedback coming guys. This is great

**Catavarie** · 11-20-2011, 18:51

Looks like a great starting point to me.

I've ordered a down filled pillow from ebay (waiting for it to arrive still) that I plan to use the down to fill both a TQ and UQ. Hard to beat the down per dollar.

**MrClockWork** · 12-01-2011, 02:37

Amsteel is in and Whoopies are made! set up is coming along. Waiting to see if I get any materials for Christmas before I go and buy any more. Any other thoughts on this whole thing?