What gear have you made?

[andrewbish]

Mt St Gwinear area

[andrewbish]

I had a bit of fun a few weeks back making some snow pegs. You can check it out at my blog (where I feel a bit freer to ramble on.)

[marangaroo86]

I had a bit of fun a few weeks back making some snow pegs. You can check it out at my blog (where I feel a bit freer to ramble on.)

Hi Andrewbish nice blog site
I like the pegs, have used the aluminium ones you buy and they have a tendancy to bend.
I will make some of these pvc ones. Painting them may stop them from going britle due to UV. I dont think they will be effected by low temp.

[andrewbish]

Thanks, M.

Good point about the paint adding some durability. That said, when i used them on the weekend, they were deep down where the sun don't shine.

Good luck with your own MYOG effort.

Andrew

[Franco]

Andrew
To get (maybe...) a better pitch of your tent, try this:
Lay the tent out flat so that you have a square without any tension in the fabric.
Have your tie outs fully extended but not in tension. , insert the peg .
Now put the pole inside. It should be 10cm or so higher than before.
(put the base of the pole on top of a block of wood or something to get the extra height if needed)
pull the tie outs in as required but not too much.
Now the walls should be almost flat with no obvious catenary curve.
That curve is desirable for shedding wind but not snow.
Franco

[Moondog55]

Also if you haven't already done it; you need a pole support for camping on the snow.
Square of plywood about 200*200 to give a bearing surface so the pole doesn't sink in too quickly, I use a 3 layer plate with a hole cut in the top 2 layers to stabilize the pole, top layers are only 90*90 and a 50mm hole

The load on the tent seams can be pretty high did you use a reinforcing tape in the seam to spread the load??

[andrewbish]

Franco - sounds plausible. Will try it.

Moondog - another (albeit small) MYOG pjt - how can I resist?!

I have also realized that I used under-spec poles- the design recommended 16mm, whereas i used 11mm (trying to save weight). I'm thinking of going to 19mm for snow use - what do you think?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Andrew

[Moondog55]

Andrew do you want to "Borrow " my spare set of Bulldog poles to try out, same design as the original ones used with the Megamid but English not French, \If I was designing poles it would depend on the alloy, but 6061 it would be 25mm depending on wall thickness.

[Moondog55]

Found this on evil bait
These are pretty strong' used on the OZ-Tent to hold the awning up

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ONE-1-76-230 ... 3a66bbfda5

[Bluegum Mic]

Franco - sounds plausible. Will try it.

Moondog - another (albeit small) MYOG pjt - how can I resist?!

I have also realized that I used under-spec poles- the design recommended 16mm, whereas i used 11mm (trying to save weight). I'm thinking of going to 19mm for snow use - what do you think?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Just a thought but seeing as you were snowshoeing I assume you were using hiking/ski poles. You can always use a pole connector and put the tipi up that way. I have BD flick lock poles that I remove the bottom sections of and then replace with a 12mm diameter 25cm steel pole section. It makes for one incredibly strong centre pole and I'd rather carry my little piece of steel (fits in my peg bag) than a whole centre pole for my tipi (mind you I hike with two poles). Otherwise BD make a wrap connector usable with any pole and BPL uk make a pole connector for twist mechanism poles.

Here's mine

[gayet]

This may not be the best site for this question, but....

I would like to get hold of a smallish piece of cuben or tyvek or suchlike, to make a base for a pad sock. I'd need about 1m x a bit over 2m. enough to fit a regular neo air and maybe a self inflating mat into. This would just be the base, the top will be a cheap polar fleece. Its intended to provide a bit more protection to the mats from the ground as well as an added water barrier, and some insulation/warmth.
If anyone has some left overs, I will gladly pay for the remnants and postage. I am in Hobart.

many thanks

Gaye

[andrewbish]

Hi Bluegum

Picking up on your pole connector suggestion, I found this thread on BPL.Apart from the evidence that Franco is everywhere , it includes a nifty technique using tubular webbing.

I will head down to Lt Bourke St at lunchtime to find some.

Thanks

[Franco]

Andrew
If you look at my pyramid set up video you will see that I am using in that one the same connection that Mic has in this tread.
In that video it is a drill bit...
(different set of poles from the ones at BPL)

If you are going down to Lt Bourke st, pop in to Backpackinglight and have a look at the purpose made pole by Luxe.
290g , extends to 143cm, 19mm tubes
http://www.luxeoutdoor.com/eng/catalog- ... th=/12/163
Franco

[andrewbish]

Thanks, Franco. Will do.

[Moondog55]

Hi Gayet, I have some older Australian Army 2-colour cam nylon here, it is light and not very durable but it can be overcoated with a mixture of silicon and Shellite; although I think you would be better off buying a meter of Silnylon direct. Not totally sure about Tyvek in that application

[gayet]

Thanks. It could well be all I need.

I am not sure what I should use; I want it to be reasonably light, preferably waterproof or resistant, and more durable than tissue paper. It won't be used on bare ground, and I do have a footprint for the tent as well as standard tent floor. Its more a means of keeping things together ( I tend to spread mats and bags all over the place) than providing a bivvy type of thing for use in a tent.

Which doesn't make much sense really but I know what I mean

Colour is irrelevent, as the fleece top will be a lovely cerise. Should clash nicely with the vibrant red of the Mont Bell bag and the yellow of the neo air

[Moondog55]

OK let me search it out, 500 gram prepaid unless you live locally, say $9- all up>>???

[gayet]

Sounds good to me. I'll PM you for/with details

[whynotwalk]

I guess this would come into the hand-made gear category.

See the old thread here http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4677&p=55383&hilit=camera+bag#p55383, with a sample pic below.

My update would be to add that, as I have a new long lens, we're going to put another set of velcro tabs on to accommodate the extra length of the 70-300mm lens.

cheers

Peter

[andrewbish]

A MYOG thread I missed in last weekends' scouring of the forums! Sorry.

It's a really practical piece of gear. Has it proven to be sufficiently waterproof?

[whynotwalk]

Has it proven to be sufficiently waterproof?

Hi Andrew - I would call it "showerproof". It certainly keeps the camera dry in light rain. You can see in the pic. how snugly it fits inside the neoprene. I tested the neoprene by pouring water on the outside for a few minutes, and it kept the water out completely. The risk would be leaking around the sides or through the seams. So when it's bucketing down, I don't take any chances, and put the camera away inside my pack.

And well done on the MYOG initiative!

cheers

Peter

[gayet]

The SOCK is finished!
Thank you Moondog for the camo, it looks a treat with the neo-air yellow, magenta cheap fleece and the SI blue.

Its not for the lightweight enthusiasts as it comes in at 1.88kg (inc straps) but that includes the self inflating mat, the neo-air and the sock. The sock itself is 420g or so.

The theory behind it is:
- SI for more insulation
- neo-air for comfort
- fleece for stickiness to bag as well as a bit of warmth
- base for water resistance.

The only 'seam' is where joining the fleece to the camo, there are no corner seams and no joins in the base. The fleece is 2 pieces - the cover , open at the top to get to valves on mats and to add or remove mats, and the pillow cover. Its stuffed with a fleece jacket in the pic.

It looks wonderful with a vibrant red Montbell down hugger draped across it.

I have yet to try it in the field, but it works well on the lounge room floor.

[Ticklebelly]

Made a compression harness and stuff sack this weekend. Low end synthetic sleeping bag now reduces in volume by about 40%. Just used webbing offcuts and 4 re-purposed buckles.

Also successfully reduced the weight of a pot gripper by attacking it with a drill. An hour and a lot of holes later, I have reduced the weight from a massive 51 grams to a very comfortable 42.6 grams (I am well on my way to ULTRAlite). I guess I won't ever get that time back, but I did save nearly 20 bux by not buying a titanium pot-gripper that weights 0.9 oz (25.5 g).

Making plans to build a quilt. Partner is going US next month and will bring back the materials. Plan is for box baffles, 75 high, and 900 fill power down.

Ticklebelly

[Orion]

I just finished making a tent, modelled roughly after a TT Moment. I was originally going to buy one of those but I was taken aback by the fact that its footprint is larger than that of my usual summer two-person tent. I'd rather have a tent that fits a small tent site than have one that I could set up (somewhere else) in 60 seconds, so I reworked the idea a little bit to make it smaller. This basically translated into longer (removable) struts and less ventilation. I was also hoping it would be a fun exercise, but as I left it all to do in the last five days before a trip it ended up being kind of hectic.

Now I'll go and see how it works.


Edit (a few weeks later):
I used it for a week and a half and was pretty pleased with how it felt. It didn't get much of a weather test, just a bit of rain one day. Condensation was minimal which was expected given the locale and season. I did not take a camera so I only have indoor photos of it: one of a very early mock-up; another when I'd just finished seam sealing it and painting the floor with a dilute silicone mixture. I was really going crazy at the very last minute trying to finish it and did some really sloppy things I wish I could do over.

[JesperH]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but would you happen to still have the plans for you myog tyvek bivvy? Or have any suggestions on making one?
- Thanks Jesper

[andrewbish]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but would you happen to still have the plans for you myog tyvek bivvy? Or have any suggestions on making one?
- Thanks Jesper

G'day, Jesper

I will assume this is directed at me. I got the inspiration for my tyvek bag cover/bivy from a couple of threads on the BPL forum (You need to be a member - well worth the $25pa):
- MYOG: tyvek ground cover / bivy combo featuring work by a guy called Thom Darrah
- MYOG TYVEKBIVY 02 by a guy called Mateusz Szultk

I used Tyvek Homewrap (the crinkly sort you can get via this forum) for the bottom & hood and 1443r Tyvek (the soft kind) for the top. I glued the edges, with a 4cm seam. I added half zip on the side and a draw cord around the neck.

Dimensions are:
- Length (excluding hood section): 195cm (77")
- Width at top: 82cm (32")
- Width at bottom: 63cm (25")

I use it all the time with my floorless tent, summer and winter. It is waterproof, windproof, tough and somewhat breathable.

Hope that helps.

A

[Onestepmore]

Great thread, I really enjoyed looking at all the fantastic things you've made. I've had a break of a few years from sewing - I used to quilt obsessively, competitions etc and in the past make clothes from complicated Vogue patterns etc (much cheaper nowadays to buy readymade formal dresses etc) This is inspiring me to get my stuff set up again and make some cool things myself, like easy stuff sacks, sleeping bag liners and bivvy sacs for the kids who do Scouting and Venturers. I am in awe of those of you who design and make your own tents and packs. Keep it coming!

Oh and PS if any of you are in NSW and interested in making some beautiful hand made knives, Corin runs occasinal courses (from Bushcraft Oz, he is a master - they are incredible! Jiffy - in our local Scouts group)
http://bushcraftoz.com/forums/showthrea ... ife+making
I'd love to do a course with him one day

[quicky]

I was cleaning out my very feral shed before Christmas, and came across an early MYOG pair of snowshoes.

Ok, they're on the heavy side, but they saved my a** after camping on the summit of Mt Bogong here in Victoria. We got stuck in a storm and had some real sphincter clenching moments between 2am to sunrise (we had to wait until dawn to descend), with wind gusts reaching approx. 150kph (we checked with the BOM simply because we were gobsmacked by the gust wind strength).

The basic design was taken from MSR Evo Ascents. Every tooth on the side rails was individually cut with a hack saw (now that was dedication). The plastic is 7mm thick, and purchased from a plastics manufacturer here in Melbourne. It's the same type of plastic used for chopping boards. All the webbing and fastenings were purchased from our local hardware store. The bindings worked like cr*p, but these puppies saved our butts descending over sheet ice during that memorable storm.

Ok, so they weigh 1.8kg each....yep. Despite fulfilling their purpose (by saving our butts), they were only ever used once....on that trip....funny that! These things now weigh more than my entire BPW!

I think I went out the next week and purchased some real snow shoes.

...just thought I'd share.

[phan_TOM]

I just finished making a tent, modelled roughly after a TT Moment

Hi Orion, nice work, I'm thinking of embarking on my own slippery slope of making an inner for a new tent and wonder where you got your materials?

I'm happy to here from any other MYOGers with any tips or advice too (don't do it? )

Is that painters drop sheet that you used for your mock-up?

It'll be mainly for 3 season use and the overall weight isn't really an issue.

I'm thinking of using 70D for the floor, or heavier as I don't want to use an extra ground sheet, and maybe a 1oz silnylon or similar for the walls combined with some mozzie netting to provide some ventilation (no idea what types there are yet), YKK zips? (love to know what size people use or recommend) and some good quality thread, I've seen gutermann being used is there one thats ideal for tent making?

My wife has a sewing maching but I haven't done any since year 8 at school... am I biting off more than I can chew?

[gelandangan]

Love this topic.

Here is a hammock that I made of ripstop nylon and some see through cloth from Spotlights, weight including the harness is 650 grams and fits into my cargo pants pocket.
I also have a silnylon tarp for it that weights 400 grams, but I don't carry them all the time.