Would like some feedback on an idea for pole solution to go with pole mod on tarp.

[Owl]

OK, so I have the habit of doing things a bit...errr....differently than most folks. I've got a HH Hex that I've had 2QZQ add doors to, and do a pole mod for.

I've been lazy and not ordered a set of tent poles to use with it, but at a hang last week with a couple of the KC area folks, I saw Radiohead use some of the 3/16ths firberglass poles on his Clark 250, and it gave me an idea.

For about $10, I can pick up this kit: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-in...kit-65326.html

I'm thinking that these would work fine, be relatively light weight, and I can break them down and carry it all simply enough.

My one worry would be if they failed...and resulted in a hole in my tarp.

SO...thnking about carrying about 10-12 foot of some of the thin, black aquarium airline tubing, and feeding them through that, then attaching to the tarp. I use the same tubing already on my tarp ridgeline to keep from ringing the tree.

Thoughts? Brilliant, or braindead?

[OutandBack]

Great idea. I like every thing except the 39" length. That's abit long for the backpack.
Since you get 10 of them you could test one to see how easly it breaks and what the break looks like.
You might not need the tubing.

I hope you will post a report if you do this project.

[Owl]

Actually, this might not be the pulling kit I was thinking of. The ones I saw were about 24" in length. Think I'm going to make a trip to Harbor Freight over lunch time and see what they've got in store.

Oh, and I am not sure where I got the 10-12 foot length of tubing I mentioned...should only need enough to run edge to edge through the center of the tarp.

I'll post some pics when I test this.

[Nift]

Those do not break clean. They make a mess when they break. On the bright side I have seen one bent almost to 90 degrees before it started to pop. The flex of these is very different from a tent pole. Probably about half the force of a tent pole in flexing back to normal.

[Timberrr]

I think it's worth a try.
Test it thoroughly. If it breaks, take it back. If it doesn't have enough spring, return it.
I'm more worried about those brass couplings rubbing and wearing a spot on the tarp.
I'll be following this thread to see what you learn. Good luck!

[Timberrr]

BTW:
Amazon has the exact same kit for more than twice the price.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&pf_rd_i=typ01

Harbor Freight and Hammock Forums... hmmm... maybe I've got a thing for the initials HF...

[2Questions]

Donna here...our concerns with using these poles.....they are not thick enough to be ridged enough to hold a straight shape. They will probably want to "s" a bit when going from one pocket to the other. We have tested a verity of poles...thin to thicker...and the thin poles (such as .344 nanolites)are good only for a shorter distance...such as a OES deluxe width. I am concerned that the Harbor Freight poles will be much too thin.

Another concern. I have a set of these Harbor Freight poles...used them for another project...I have had one start to break at the coupling...and it splintered...not good for the tarp. Putting it inside a tube as you commented would be a good idea...if you decided to try these poles.

If you want to further discuss...PM me your phone number, and we can call you. I will be in and out of the house most of the day today, so I might not be able to call you until later.

[Owl]

Thanks for the info, 2Q!

The reason I'd considered putting them into airline tubing was precisely for the concern you mentioned...I figured it would prevent damage to the tarp if that did happen.

The main reason I'm considering testing this option is that weight isn't a huge factor...but I'm a cheapskate, and thought that this might be a low-cost alternative. Of course, I want to avoid damage to my tarp...which would completely negate the cheapskate benefits.

I'd not considered the "S-ing" of the poles...something to watch for. I think I'll do a test run to see how it looks, and try to catch it on my gopro to share with folks here.

[Tendertoe]

If your idea doesn't work out, for an extra 10 bucks you can get legitimate poles here.

Many folks have had success with these.