First DIY UQ! mmhmm... Feels good!

[Vincethebutcher]

Well took me 14 hours, and a lot of reading. But definitely a good project, gives me a lot of respect for the guys that do this day in and day out. But i like the price tag on this one. $71, harvesting down got to be a bit messy, good thing i live alone so no one to yell at me for messing up the place.

Now all I need is my Ridge Runner to show up, got the shipping notice yesterday morning so should be soon. Thanks a bunch to cpverne and his instructions on a ridge runner UQ. I made mine slightly wider, hope it still fits like a glove as his did.

And thanks to that catsplat calculator, without this it would not have come out nearly as good.

$30 - 6 yards 1.1 Ripstop (DIY gear supply)
$15 - 4 yards no-see-um (Axe Man)
$13 - Thrift store down jacket (First Down) 20oz Approx. 700 FP (Savers)
$10 - 2 spools (200 yards) Coats & Clark Outdoor Thread (Joanne Fabrics)
$3 - 30ft grosgrain (Thrifty Outfitters)

Here are my drafting notes.
Finished size 80"x33"x3.5"
Baffle height (min) = 2.5" (max) = 3.5"
Number of Baffles = 7 each
Approx Down Fill rate = 700
Over Fill = 10%
Down per Baffle = 55g
Total Down = 385g = 13.58oz

******
******I call Thrifty Outfitters to get a general idea of what fill power i had
******Approx temp via catsplat calc = 2 Degrees

Inner Shell Fabric = 80" x 33"
add fins head and foot = 80" x 47" (33' at middle)
add seam allowance = 82" x 49" (35" at middle)
baffle width = 4.7"

Outer Shell Fabric = 87" x 44.8"
(7" were add for the differential cut, 3.5" per end)
add seam allowance = 89" x 46.8"

No-see-um = 87" x 4.5"
actual baffle height = 2.5"
6 each cut
******
******So what i did was cut my no-see-um to long intentionally, i didn't
******know exactly what I would need. So i trimmed at an angle to help
******with the differential cut. I wish i would have sewed it down to the
******end up i didnt. Oh well, next time, i guess i will just have the ability
******to move my down from baffle to baffle.

Well this is what i did. Hope it helps someone else. I know i was reading for about 3 weeks before i actually started cutting and sewing. Also i made a pillow with baffles and differential cut, just to try it out before i did a big project with it.

Enjoy!

****stuff sack weighs 86g in pic

[Lost_Biker]

Excellent work - You have learned much, young one. Like your bike too.

[boulderv7]

nice work! making your own gear feels good doesn't it?

[Mountnman]

Looks great!! Im sure it will keep you toasty

[FireInMyBones]

Looking forward to pictures of this on your new Ridgerunner.

[XTrekker]

Awesomeness...Looks like you kept it under $100 too..GJ

[Vincethebutcher]

Ya I'll get some pictures early next week. Looks like I'll be heading to the north shore Sunday thru Wednesday. Should be a good first test for the UQ, when I went in June 15-22 it was getting down to 38 degrees overnight.

[Hamish]

Nice work. But if I may ask, what is the reasoning for the fabric extensions on the sides? It seems as if they allow more of a gap. But it looks great and you can't beat the price.

[Vincethebutcher]

Nice work. But if I may ask, what is the reasoning for the fabric extensions on the sides? It seems as if they allow more of a gap.

Well, great question..... I dont know. LOL! I just got my WBRR and couldn't wait till light to go try it out. (also i work in the morning). BTW WBRR is awesome! Super comfy!

Anyway back to the question, I set it up with the UQ and there were gaps because of these fins. I think i need to play around with it in the light to really see what is going on. I had some shock cord with me so i was able to pull it tight but basically didnt need the fins. So who know mabye some mods to this are coming. But what i did like is far the baffles came up on the WBRR. Right to the edge of the saddle bags. So there wasnt any side wind coming in.

Thats all i got for now, I gotta be to work in 7 hours.

[CatSplat]

Looks awesome - you did a great job!