Go Go Gadget Online Business!

[PKT]

Heck why not be the CUSTOM GUY, giving people what they want then have a few generic models that you could have in stock.
Just a thought, seems with tarps people are always wanting modifications, different sizes ect...
Good luck

[TDFbound]

I like my Speer Winter Tarp. There are a few things I'd do to modify it in an attempt to make it perfect. The closest thing I've seen to perfection being offerred now is the Warbonnet Outdoors Superfly with doors, primarily because of the four side panel pullouts. Starting there:

• attach the doors permanently,

• provide a means by which to roll up the doors when not in use, or shock cord to clip to the door on the other end, to keep them out of the way and not flapping,

• provide two additional tieouts on the ends, 1/4 and 3/4 of the width of the tarp to allow repositioning the ridgeline should a 3/4-width upwind pitch be desired with a 1/4-width downwind awning (a la Cooke Custom Sewing's Tundra Tarp),

• three internal ridgeline hang tabs for suspending gear from the ceiling (a la Mountain Laurel Design's Grace Tarp),

• mesh pockets with velcro closures above each tieout for storing wrapped up guy lines, and

• Kelty TripTease guy lines with silicone tension adjusters.

Oh, and keep the weight no more than 16 oz with a quiet fabric.

you do realize that providing such a challenge means that I will have to actually make one of these?

[G.L.P.]

Oh I certainly plan on it! Just buying gasoline for trips to town is breaking the bank at the moment, so unfortunately it will have to wait for a better day.

not to shoot down your idea....but if don't have money for gas....how do you plan on getting money to get Sil to make tarps...along with thread,grosgain,sewing machine(if you don't have one) .....

your looking at about 8 yards at least to make a small tarp ..thats about $60-70 just in Sil ....+ thread and grosgrain

after making gear you come to find out that it cost almost as much to make gear as it would be to just buy it

i hope you can get you idea off the ground and wish you luck .. but i would really think hard about it befor you jump in head first and bite off more then you can handle
it could end up costing you more....

[Mustardman]

you do realize that providing such a challenge means that I will have to actually make one of these?

I'm pretty sure that all of that, for 16 ounces in a quiet fabric, is physically impossible

[TDFbound]

Heck why not be the CUSTOM GUY, giving people what they want then have a few generic models that you could have in stock.
Just a thought, seems with tarps people are always wanting modifications, different sizes ect...
Good luck

That is certainly an option to consider. Sometimes the difference between whether a person wants a product or not can be a 'small' thing like color, or in the case of tarps, number of tie-outs, whether or not it includes guy lines, thickness of webbing used, etc... If for a minimal cost they could change the small details, it could be what makes the sale. And also like you stated, a full custom design every now and then could be fun and a good learning experience.

[TDFbound]

I'm pretty sure that all of that, for 16 ounces in a quiet fabric, is physically impossible

nothing's impossible! if each of the components of the project are possibilities, the whole project can be possible. not saying it would be a budget tarp, but i think it could be done with enough experimenting... and possibly convincing cuben to make a lighter weight fabric. at least I think it would be fun to see how close to that i could get

[Mustardman]

But the point is that the ultralight fabrics, like spinn and cuben, are in fact NOT quiet.

[TDFbound]

not to shoot down your idea....but if don't have money for gas....how do you plan on getting money to get Sil to make tarps...along with thread,grosgain,sewing machine(if you don't have one) .....

your looking at about 8 yards at least to make a small tarp ..thats about $60-70 just in Sil ....+ thread and grosgrain

after making gear you come to find out that it cost almost as much to make gear as it would be to just buy it

i hope you can get you idea off the ground and wish you luck .. but i would really think hard about it befor you jump in head first and bite off more then you can handle
it could end up costing you more....

I've got a good reliable sewing machine... I have an extra car that I am trying to sell regardless of whether or not I make tarps. I need to sell it anyways, so why not throw a few hundred of it into seeing if this can take off or not?

[TDFbound]

But the point is that the ultralight fabrics, like spinn and cuben, are in fact NOT quiet.

not yet

[angrysparrow]

catsnack -

We appreciate your enthusiasm. But you haven't actually made any gear yet...

I'm afraid a discussion about 'starting a business' and what that business model should be is a little off-topic for HF, without actual gear to discuss.

Please start a new thread when you work out some designs and have some actual products to offer.