Solo Tent

[Nuts]

Iv'e been using a shangri'la 3 which is a six sided tipi but wanted something lower, smaller footprint, perhaps lighter. Something that could be closed up, a floor of sorts, meshed ventilation for summer.

After spending time under open tarps i have a bit of trouble with small tents, especially those that 'fall away at the head end (ie akto style). Realise the convenience of side entry but thought an end opener worth the compromise.

The idea started with stretching and lowering the six sided tipi design and i ended up reinventing the wheel that was a two pole tent Maximum height on a 1200mm high walking pole, for the foot I chose a random height then discovered it was close to the Tenkara (flyrod) tube length so that's where it ended up (Abt 550mm high iirc). A half tipi, 2100mm between the poles and from 1100 tapering to 720mm wide usable floor space. A second 'half tipi' at the foot end. Probably most similar to golites shangrila 1, but bigger, heigher at the head, lower at the foot end..

Ive had a ream of Cuben Fibre for ages and wanted to use that, its light and the idea was to get and keep the pitch drum tight.

Anyhow, here's about the extent of my plan before building (credit to Franco) using the tight line method:

Last edited by Nuts on Tue 27 Sep, 2011 7:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Nuts]

Its getting close, here's what it looks like so far:

It does pitch a bit better, not ideal how it is here but I'll post some more detailed photos here when I get the chance and can post some of the construction (if anyone shows an interest.. please do ask before throwing yourself at something like this.. It Was A Big Job, much more than the simple design reveals). I did weigh it at the fly stage 285grams, imagine it will come out around 450 plus pegs though im using that space blanket for floor material so expect another 150 or so on top of the cuben floor.

[Tony]

Hi Nuts,

Very very nice and top work. I like your design and I am interested in making one too.

Tony

[Jellybean]

Wow! Great job Nuts! Will be interested to see more pics (especially with gear inside) when you get the chance.

[Bluegum Mic]

Love it! Top work nuts. Its the perfect blend of my two favorite beasties my SL3 and my msr twin sisters. What a dream shelter. Enjoy and definitely more pics please

[andrewa]

Nuts, thats a fantastic project........well done.

Over the years, I've made all my sewable gear EXCEPT a tent, and I've always wanted to tackle this project, but remember a discussion about 20yrs ago about the issues of catenary cutting fabrics in 6 dimensions, and it all just got too hard............ particularly when I am now in a fortunate enough position to buy a Hilleberg Nallo 3GT for less than a day's work. This tent has been almost perfect for me.

Despite this, I still love to design the "ultimate" piece of "unpurchaseable" equipment for my particular pursuits - eg packrafting/fly-fishing/daypack, or ultralight hammock quilt etc.

Currently working on next generation of "ultimate" hammock quilts/underquilts, and small packrafting packs, looking towards my next NZ fly-fishing/"tramping"/packrafting trip in Jan 2012.

Andrew A

(if you have an interest in packrafting in Oz and NZ, I've done a few "youtubes" which are accessible searching "allanfamily6" on youtube.

[Nuts]

Yer, I couldn't get my head around the catenary cuts and how to ensure it stayed tight with so many (all the seams have some curvature). Rather than try to juggle the picture in mind I ended up building the ends as an mdf form with a timber stringer and natural curve between them for the main seam. The fly was the easier part, the 'fittings' and floor angles have taken longer. You are correct in that if something is available, buy it! At a rough guess a custom design like this would be worth 2k (for the time and materials that went at it). While number two would be a Lot quicker, the prototype made no sense time/money wise.

Thanks JB & Mic, i'll get some action shots. Tony, thanks, any help I can be if you do decide to build just ask. I did lots of testing on the strength of bonding various materials to try to sort out some of the issues that arise. Ended up sewing the zip and a few bar tacks here and there where the the material join stress was in peel, otherwise its all bonded. Read most of the cuben posts from bpl, worked on some easier test projects.

[Orion]

Very nice, Nuts.

I recently finished making a tent and agree with you that it's much cheaper to buy one. But there is of course great reward in using your own product in the field. I hope it works well for you.

I wonder, were you also wishing you had computer design tools at your disposal? I found mocking it up and then doing a fair amount of the work seat-of-the-pants style was very tedious.

[andrewbish]

Nice piece of MYOG, Nuts.

I went the opposite direction space-wise with my MYOG tent, making a largish 'mid so I would have a lot more room. Your cuben seems like it might be quite spacious, though. Would be great to see some pics of the inside.

Andrew

[Nuts]

Things like the vent cover (going from three-sided to semi circular) could have been easier perhaps.
I had a big roll of light vinyl given to me which made templates for the different shaped guy points easier.

I think i fussed more than necessary over some of the details, funny material to work with, with no stretch and starting kinda stiff (paper like) its more like origami perhaps. There's no stretching if its undercut, everything needs to be accurate but stays that way when pitched (if you get it right). I did try 'seat o pants' style for the floor, it seemed so simple.. lol

I guess there is some reward. Iv'e used up my free time now though (for a few weeks at least). One of the benefits i guess is that i now could fix anything with it (rips or whatever) and building easier things with Cuben should be a cinch.

Are you going to show us your tent?

[Nuts]

Cheers Andrew, Still a bit of work to do inside, its not huge, can sit behind the main pole (which i'm trying to design a strop for to hold it in an angled position) facing out so that was all i was wanting, was more to fit in tight spots otherwise I would have gone much bigger. Pics to come.

[Orion]

Nuts, so there is a more difficult fabric to work with than silnylon?? Maybe it's just as well that I can't afford it.

My tent: just imagine a Tarptent "The Moment", only shorter. And much wrinklier.

Last edited by Orion on Wed 28 Sep, 2011 10:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

[cams]

Wow. Looks great Nuts. I have an Alpinlight Terraform which is a similar design. Does the foot end have a beak? Or is it just open. One thing I've found pitching the Alpinlite is that the large side panels seem to be a very big sail with only the single bottom middle tie out. Yours being smaller may not have this issue. I intend to install some mid panel tie outs sometime.

[Nuts]

It looks spacious Orion. Yes, I imagine computer generated graphics would be really handy for more complicated shapes like that, big task to tackle first up. I like the end design..

Alpinlite Cams, ill have a look.. I's still considering more side tie outs, will see. I wanted to avoid anything mid-panel. It gives up side stability to something like a hex or tipi, i guess time will tell whether the lower profile and directional stability makes up for it.

The foot is a reverse of the head end cams only shallower angle. The space under isn't used but the intention was to start lifting wind from ground level.

[cams]

They've changed their name to Yama Mountain Gear. This is the one I have http://www.yamamountaingear.com/index.p ... ucts_id=51

[Nuts]

Yer, right, I did see your other topic on the terraform. Similar design, mine would be a fair bit smaller (solo size), lower at the foot end pole, i'd imagine the side windage less. I noticed with the Golite shangri-la1 no mid tie and a few remarks that it needed one. I'm hoping that the lower foot end and stiffer pitch my help. Don't mind a couple more hem ties but the mid panel ones i've never liked much. I'd like to keep it to a single guyline (to peg the front with the two door open).

[photohiker]

Looks great, Nuts.

When I first saw it, I thought TT Contrail, but that doesn't have a pole at the foot does it.

I'm really liking the stuff I've been seeing made from Cuben, my only misgiving is light transmission. Especially on moonlit nights, I've found this to be a bit of a PIA in a light coloured tent, so I guess it would be worse in a virtually see through cuben...

[Nuts]

The Zpacks site has a good sample of the different weight Cubens and light transmission, This is 25g/m going to 50 is almost solid. I considered 50 for the side panels (would add around 120grams to the tent), might do if i scale it up and build a two person model. I wasn't really concerned for this one, privacy of the thicker cuben would be the only advantage (to me). As is, you can see a figure moving around, much like the really light weight grey silnylons (i had an integral designs siltarp that was similar) not really 'clear'. I wasnt set on the 'look' on the roll but as soon as it starts to crinkle it looks covered in roots or veins, kinda 'organic', this green stuff i'm liking a lot now.

[corvus]

Good looking tent Nuts it will be nice to view it in the flesh
corvus

[phan_TOM]

That is a wicked looking tent Nuts,

Like everyone else I'd love to see some more angles & inside and know where and how you incorporated the mesh for ventilation.

Would you rate it as a 3 or 4 season & how sturdy do you think it will be getting blasted side on etc?

[Nuts]

Thanks Corv, drop by. I'm not really happy with the way the tension pulls to the tie outs (can be seen in the photo). I deliberated catenary cut bottom seam and have stalled a bit (it could still be done at this stage). I'm also considering beefing up the ties. They are solid but I would like a more even pull on the fabric.. Lucky i have a few other things to do while mulling it over. Standby

[Nuts]

Any thoughts welcome

[Orion]

Nuts, you used the 25 g/m^2 weight of Cuben Fiber.
Did you consider using either of the lighter grades that are available (11 or 16 g/m^2)?

How did you join the edges -- with tape or an adhesive?

[Nuts]

No, actually considered the heavier grade though... I understand shelters have been successful in the lighter grades. I had the weight in mind but I really am more interested in the tight pitch possibilities and wind. Also being able to pull the edges into the spiky stuff that grows here

The top join is butt joined and taped ( 1" inside and 1/2" + 1" outside). the side seams have a lap join with 1/2" tape either side. The Cubictech tape is just a glue with backing, works well. I baulked at buying a hot knife for cutting so the tie outs will be sealed with mylar tape (once i'm happy with them). A hot knife would have been very handy for tieouts and the bottom seam if not just straight (and one of the reasons i did the straight hem..)

Like this:

--------- = tape

_______ = cuben

top
------------------- 1"
-------- 1/2"
_____ ________

-------------------- 1"

side
---------- 1/2"
____________
-------- 1/2"
_____________
---------- 1/2"

[cams]

The top join is butt joined and taped ( 1" inside and 1/2" + 1" outside). the side seams have a lap join with 1/2" tape either side. The Cubictech tape is just a glue with backing, works well. I baulked at buying a hot knife for cutting so the tie outs will be sealed with mylar tape (once i'm happy with them). A hot knife would have been very handy for tieouts and the bottom seam if not just straight (and one of the reasons i did the straight hem..)

Maybe a bit late now but have you seen the method for cutting silnylon using a soldering iron? I can't find it now but there was a youtube video from someone on the hammock forums showing how he seals and cuts silnylon by clamping it down and using a long straight edge or metal ruler. Then just runs the soldering iron down the ruler. Not sure if the same method could work for cf or whether you could apply this to non straight cuts somehow. You can also get hot knife attachments for gas soldering irons which are reasonably cheap.

[Nuts]

Hi Cams,

I did try my gas a soldering iron with a chizel tip, it was too hot, needs one with good heat adjustment. It worked but melted the fabric to the side, you can get a knife attachment but a dedicated electric hot knife i imagine would be best.

[Gusto]

Looks great!!,


I've been wondering about purchasing or making a tent similar to that for a while. I have one question/comment on your tent. How have you attached the peg out points? also from what I've read it is important to use some bungy cord on on the peg out points to reduce strain on the cuben,

[ninjapuppet]

Hey great shelter!

I dont usually check this sub forum so didnt see it till now. If it is anything like the hyperlite mountain gear echo, then it shall withstand some pretty gnarly winds.

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[Nuts]

Hi Ninja, similar, smaller maybe, i'll have a look... hmmm they have a mid panel tie out..

Hi Gusto,
It's still in progress. The tie outs are bonded (and sewn) but I tried a few different designs and i'm considering a change to a strap and D ring giving the option to peg directly into the ground. The mid side tie outs are bungy, the others aren't, i doubt its necessary. I also use that walking pole (first pic), it has a reasonably light spring. Iv'e seen it 'working' inside another (bigger) shelter with strong gusts and take up some of the weight under snow.

I started on an integrated floor and walls but i'm starting to think a conventional inner with fabric/mesh side walls might work better for this (and give the option for more privacy and summer use). In winter i'm likely to prefer a lower pitch fly/bivy setup. A sealed removable floor or partial inner even done lightly starts to add weight with little further advantage (ie 1" velcro @ around 10gms/m would add 100 odd grams to this size shelter however its used so a similar weight goes a long way towards the benefits of an inner tent (and the fabric above the floor)).

The fly now has catenary cut base seam (Tip 1, factor in the cost of a hot knife, makes things soooo much easier. Weller stopped making the knife tip for my soldering iron (which i just had rebuilt for $80.. frown), while powerful, it doesn't have enough heat control either way. A 125w Portasol works very well though )

[Nuts]

I Am planning on those reinforced tie out patches, have a bit of dyneema X fabric that should do the trick.... Its just a double layer of cuben atm