CF3 Ordered for DIY Tarp

[MDSH]

CF3 comes in an odd size and I was stubborn about wanting a 10x10 tarp like my grandfather's old canvas one.

But the price of the material was choking me!

I was in this state of confusion until FLRider referred me to his DIY diamond tarp, explaining how he dealt with wind and rain coming under. Thanks, again, Rider. I had already been thinking of a Garlington, and lo, he had one on his set up. That convinced me that the last foot on the tarp was not needed so ordered the material from Zpacks.

I plan to be happy with a 9x10 tarp supplemented by a $31 silnylon poncho/tarp from the Army Surplus store and a Garlington. If it gets worse than that I should not be out there!!!

BTW -- was sorely tempted by a Spinntex diamond that is offered on Mountain Laurel Designs for $70.

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[FLRider]

You're welcome!

Note that my version of the Garlington is really only good to ~50* for me (and I'm an inhumanly warm sleeper; I'd rate it at 55* to 60* for most folks), but that I also don't put the space blanket in a trash bag. If you do use the trash bag (especially if you already have it as a dry bag for your insulation and spare clothing), you should get another 5* to 10* out of it, from what I've seen.

Also, real thanks got to member DaleW; he was the one who initially pointed out the Garlington to me a couple of years back. It just took me a while to come 'round.

[Kemerernick]

Can you really save a lot by diy cuben tarp?

[MDSH]

Can you really save a lot by diy cuben tarp?

My reckoning shows a 22% savings and it can probably be done faster.

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[MDSH]

Got the shipping notice!

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[MDSH]

The material just arrived. Glad I ordered the .74 ounce version because I can't imagine anything lighter; though I'm sure intellectually .51 is just fine, things have to feel good, too, right?

My plan calls for using almost every square inch of it. Out of the bag it weighs an incredible 7.9 ounces. This is going to be great -- no more poly tarps from Walmart! LOL

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[MDSH]

A big project requires a large work space, so I set up a couple of saw horses out back and straddled them with a piece of clear cedar house trim that had been replaced.



The straightest edge I could find was a joint of steel landscape edging. That is to make the cut across the 4.5 foot material, which has now been marked at 10'-1" and 20'-2 inches. That leaves a piece 10x54" for cutting into reinforcements and loops. Those are small enough to cut on the craft mat.

Just calculated the hypotenuse if it was pitched diagonally: 13.45 feet. I'm going to like this tarp.

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[MDSH]

Small pieces cut. Yes, the tab loops are small -- want them to be the designed weak point in the system. Flying metal stakes are not good. Ripped main body of the fabric is too expensive to replace. Cheap #62 rubber bands will probably break before the loops, don't you think?



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[FireInMyBones]

I'm very much looking forward to seeing the finished product. You've really been bitten with the UL DIY bug haven't you.

[MDSH]

Thanks, Fire.

Yes, I enjoy working with my hands.

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