What gear have you made?

Fri 17 Jun, 2011 2:41 pm

I thought I'd start this topic for some inspiration. I'm about to undertake my first ever project and am sewing an a-frame style bug shelter. I've just ordered some 70D sil nylon, noseeum mesh and grosgrain etc from the states so it's now to the drawing board. The sewing isn't too daunting but I'll be fairly nervous putting in the zippers (front and rear door).

What gear have you made? Favourite piece (if many). Any photos for bragging rights are definitely welcome :-)

also any tips before I embark (other than don't leave any pins on the ground for my toddler to find ;-)

Cheers

Mic

Fri 17 Jun, 2011 3:20 pm

I've made a few things mic, good topic, there dont seem to be many diy'ers when ive brought up a few topics here.

Silnylon is slippery stuff! As for advice, i'll probably ask you when your done, my projects were not that boastworthy. Sewn mats, mesh on a tipi, made an A frame shelter long ago (probably proofed polyester, cant recall). I now have this roll of cuben, some various materials waterproof zippers etc I got some dyneema for reinforced patches... The time and motivation to form this into a shelter will come one day.

There are some really good projects, forum and tips on BPL for this sort of thing, the $25 would likely be worthwhile? Packs, shelters, clothing, sleeping bags etc. all possible. Makes a mockery of brand 'loyalty'.

Ive done all sorts of crazy home builds (from other materials), the new skills unfortunately come the second time around but of course you only probably wanted a one off. This in mind, one tip....a template, mock up is a really good idea.

Fri 17 Jun, 2011 5:34 pm

Hi Mic,

I haven't sewn any backpacking gear but have sewn a bit and used silks. Use a wash away stabiliser or something similar when sewing the seams.

Ro

Fri 17 Jun, 2011 5:44 pm

Nice to hear there are other MYOG types on the forum.

I have made a bivy/bag cover using Tyvek HomeWrap. Lacked breathability and had condensation issues so am about to do some mods with a more breathable variation of Tyvek. Am currently working on a silnylon pyramid tent - 3m x 3m base.

These have been fun, absorbing projects. My better half did the zipper sewing for the bivy, however, I am intending to do most of the tent sewing myself.

Materials have been sourced via this forum (for Tyvek HomeWrap) or from OS (Quest Outfitters - good price & prompt delivery).

Andrew

Fri 17 Jun, 2011 11:47 pm

Hi Mic,
I've made a myself a backpack for shorter walks. You can find a few photos here.
I am also interested to make myself some sort of shelter, but I did find it a bit hard to source materials, and right now money and time lacks for a project like that.

Sam

Sat 18 Jun, 2011 9:55 pm

Back in the good ol' days at uni I made my first snow tent and expedition sized pack and sleeping bag on mum's sewing machine, they lasted for ages

I did make gear commercially for a while.
A great place to source cordura/pack nylon/ silnylon/tapes etc is Bainbridge International, they're sailmakers.
I got my materials from their Brookvale warehouse (NSW)

Sun 19 Jun, 2011 1:25 pm

Tele they are awesome. Both look like great pieces of kit. You have quite a talent. Sam that's a really good looking pack. Looks very well made.

Thanks for the advice so far (keep it coming :-)

and thanks for the heads up for Bainbridge too. I like to buy things locally where possible and round there is my old stomping ground :-)

Cheers

Mic

Mon 20 Jun, 2011 12:55 pm

I should add the inner I'm making is to go into this-

I will also mod the fly (ever so tiny) by adding a toggle to each snow skirt so they can be rolled up for fine weather general camping. With the inner and skirts up this will allow me to use it for other purposes than just snow or bug free environments. I also like the fact with the new 2011 msr twin sisters they supply two light poles with it so I can take them with me when in the snow and remove my BD poles if I'm out touring with a base camp.

Tue 21 Jun, 2011 7:23 pm

Mic, what equipment do you use? I don't sew (or weld or solder) but I want to make my own gear in the future. Working in a gear store is jading and I never find exactly what I want. What would you recommend starting with (equipment and projects)? I am thinking about making a hammock and a tarp poncho to go with it.

Tue 21 Jun, 2011 7:28 pm

I made a belt(!) No sewing, just used webbing, two triglides and a clip. The triglides act both to adjust and hold the ends in place and the best thing is IT FITS ME! The Petzl Ceinture and MHW Nut Belt are both too short. According to gear manufacturers, fat people don't deserve the dignity of clothing. It is very strong and my pants no longer fall down. Next I will make some braces for hiking that don't rub holes in my merino tops (as I am sure the market ones will.)

Tue 21 Jun, 2011 8:02 pm

Wolfix wrote:Mic, what equipment do you use? I don't sew (or weld or solder) but I want to make my own gear in the future. Working in a gear store is jading and I never find exactly what I want. What would you recommend starting with (equipment and projects)? I am thinking about making a hammock and a tarp poncho to go with it.

G'day wolfix.

This is my first dabble at making gear so I'll let you know more once I'm done :-)

But so far I've ordered 70d silnylon for the floor, noseeum mesh for the walls and I've also ordered 30d silnylon which I'm tossing up whether to make the two end panels out of. I've bough some zipper to make one for both ends so it will give the tent access at both ends and should make a smallish (45cm) vestibule at each end (there's plenty of room inside the inner for gear but I thought it would be nice to have floor space for cooking etc). I've bought the poly thread, nylon webbing for peg loops etc. I've not bought my stuff to make my patterns yet as I'm still toying with designs on paper. I've got a great local sewing center that can help me there. Other than that a sharpie for marking the silnylon and my trusty sewing maching.

As for what to make I'm not sure. I'm probably throwing myself off the deep end a bit but I plan on taking it slow and thankfully there are some great resources on the web. The belts a great idea btw.

Cheers

Mic

Tue 21 Jun, 2011 10:01 pm

tele-whippet!
Your tent looks fantastic. That old school charm is great! Is it a Japara?

Building or dabbling is an incredibly slippery slope! Beware for some great fun, frustration, and immense satisfaction.

One of my most personally satisfying moments in my outdoor pursuits was when my big three were all made by my own hand and designs. I was packing everything in a pack, staying warm in a sleeping quilt and staying dry under a shelter all made from materials I had taken off a roll.

Here is a couple of packs I put together. The day pack still sees much use.

mid size pack

A duluth inspired daypack

Wed 22 Jun, 2011 8:43 am

Made a goretex bivvy sac way back in the 80's make lots of stuff sacs and I have made a few flysheets as well as towing harness for my pulk, but never a tent or rucksac, although a new rucksac is on my list.
Made a few polar fleece jumpers for the kids, and soon I'm going to attempt an Arctic pull-over storm parka but mainly I am a tinkerer, I do not think there is one bit of gear I own that hasn't been modified or strengthened and I repair most of my stuff myself.

Wed 22 Jun, 2011 1:24 pm

@Moondog - Actually, the first time I saw the word 'pulk' was in your post about your new harness.

Wed 22 Jun, 2011 2:28 pm

HitchHiking wrote:tele-whippet!
Your tent looks fantastic. That old school charm is great! Is it a Japara?

No it was made from ripstop nylon scavenged from 2 tent flys.
Before this tent was the Paddy Pallin japara unit.

Wed 22 Jun, 2011 6:47 pm

Has anyone made some decent snowshoes themselves? If it's possible (and they go okay) I wouldn't mind trying it out on a walk in a few weeks!

Fri 24 Jun, 2011 7:36 am

Haven't made any, but I recently bought a pair of second hand Yowies quite cheaply from a guy in
Melbourne. He has more I believe which he is selling via eBay.

Sun 17 Jul, 2011 11:01 pm

Thought I'd share with you a photo of my latest MYOG project - a 9ft sq floorless pyramid tent - just finished over the weekend. Will blog details later, but this gives you the idea.

Mon 18 Jul, 2011 9:01 am

Wow. That looks great. Certainly won't lose it anytime soon. Were you following a pattern?

Mon 18 Jul, 2011 9:28 am

Looks good Andrew, you were right about the orange being bright, I think you need a taller center pole tho

Mon 18 Jul, 2011 9:52 am

Excellent looking TeePee. Reckon youll get a heap of use out of that eh! Nice work.

Mon 18 Jul, 2011 9:03 pm

Thanks, guys.

Cams - I followed the design here (you will need to be a BPL member - which is very worthwhile)

Moondog - the design provides for each side to have a 2-3" gap.

Sat 23 Jul, 2011 8:52 pm

Over the years we have made several bits and pieces as the need arose. Umm - yes we did have a hand in these two also. :roll:

: yester years

When the kids started arriving they did it by force of numbers and we needed some form of restraint that allowed us some freedom and ability to enjoy our walks and at same time was pleasing for the young arrivals.
Also for Sanity’s sake – most important.
We made these from aluminium tube, light canvas and webbing.
Nothing flash and by today’s standards pretty basic.
They served us well and were passed onto another couple in need.

Now for those who doubt you can keep warm without the latest and best down and mats etc consider this one.

It’s a bit long in the tooth and lost half its size and is somewhat dishevelled looking. (Now sits on my ute seat and keeps me warm in winter and from burning my backside in summer.)

It’s a sheepskin I tanned from Black Wattle bark I collected at Blessington.
It would accompany me on many trips to the Walls of Jerusalem, sun hail and snow.
If very cold I’d put the skin inside my sleeping bag and then all that (with me inside) inside my pack. It was an H frame with a long sleeve that when pulled up, would cover me from toes to shoulders.
I’m a tall bloke and a cold sleeper but I can never remember freezing to death type endurances.

I reckoned if they can keep warm whilst sitting on Jack frost then I could too.

: its tough being a sheep in winter; IMG_1900_cr.jpg (255.2 KiB) Viewed 53750 times

Then there’s the several bits and bobs my wife and mum made over time and one of our daughters chipped in with a billy holder.

: homely comforts

The jumper on right is mohair and is extremely light and warm.

Not something I made, but in years gone by I’d scrounge M&B tins from the chemist for food containers.
Very light and extremely strong. This one has the bite of a Tasmanian Devil still on it. Testament to the strength of both the canister and the poor blighter who bit it.

: devil proof

That’s another story – he made a big mess of other stuff!!

Finally other knickknacks. I never bought tent pegs, made them from bronze welding rods but as years went on we would accumulate at least 2 pegs on each trip from those others had left behind and now have a handy collection of all sorts.
I’ve also made a knife and its pouch.
And dear wife a japara from real japara and oiled.
All great fun.

Sat 23 Jul, 2011 10:08 pm

Wow, some really interesting things going on here

And Andrew, that amazing tent looks fit for high winds. any reports on its usage?

I tried a DIY project this morning: The most simple thing anyone can make.
I bought several metres of fleece today on sale and made a sleeping bag liner. I think anyone with even a cheap sewing machine can attempt such a project.

just cut it in the shape of your sleeping bag x 2 and sew it together leaving the top opening, and turn it inside out

Much easier than my home made tyvek bivy, and took about 5 minutes to make.

Sat 23 Jul, 2011 10:40 pm

Too funny ninja. I made the same thing the other week but I wanted a half half. I picked apart an old silk liner and made one with silk bottom and fleece top (or other way round depending where you want the warmth). It's toasty.

Andrew that tipi is truly awesome.

Sun 24 Jul, 2011 8:44 pm

Taswegian - your gear looks excellent. I hope those two tykes in the first photo have carried on the tradition.

NP
- The liner project sounds interesting. Is this mostly to provide additional warmth or to keep your sleeping bag clean? If for warmth, do you also wear your clothes in the bag?

- I made a Tyvek bivy too. The original was all Homewrap, but I had condensation probls.. I made some mods last weekend, replacing the top with a more breathable type of Tyvek (also made more room for me, the pads and the winter gear, as well a drawcord to the neck and some Velcro snaps. I tried it out this weekend - much happier - though it could be even little wider at the top. (That said, my next project is to make a synth quilt, which should take up less space.) Take a look:

: Tyvek bivy / sleeping bag cover

- Not much wind last night, but it started snowing early in the morning. The snow gathered near the lower section of the sides, causing the centre pole to bend a little, which in turn caused the tent to sag. I think I may have to try a heavier pole and/or using more tension on the tie-outs. You can see what I mean here:

FWIW, I also made the snow pegs for tent, from pvc tubing.

Attachments

: PVC snow pegs

Sun 24 Jul, 2011 8:58 pm

There ia a huge weight on the centre pole. Golite supplied a short extender that wasn't ideal, bent the tip of a walking pole over and then collapsed, we were lucky it didnt spear through the roof... Did you model this off an existing design andrew? Looks to have a bit too shallow an angle or too much curvature to the seams for heavy snow (without getting too small)?

Sun 24 Jul, 2011 9:07 pm

Hi Nuts

I used a design provided on BPL.

I am thinking I will experiment with increasing tension on the mid-side tie-outs, to increase the angle.

Sun 24 Jul, 2011 9:15 pm

Perhaps you could get some more pole height as well? it does look like a nice job though andrew, love the bright colour

Sun 24 Jul, 2011 9:19 pm

Is that Lake Mountain??

What gear have you made?