DIY gear

[protus]

There are many of us out their that make our own stuff. From camp stoves, firesteels,knifes,to tactical gear.
If you got some show it off!

me i was making light weight sil tarps for a bit. here is a few.

[protus]

few more

[Lowdown3]

Neat stuff! + 1,000 on the tarps!

I've never made any gear but I've modified a pile of it over the years. Some more "pretty" than others.

[EX121]

it would be nice to get your method for making the tarps.

[eeyore]

I would be interested in knowing what you use to attach the rope, it is not grommets

[thereisnospoon]

I've made a few things here and there:







Chest rig

[protus]

it would be nice to get your method for making the tarps.

2 part series showing how to and also what i use as tie outs.

[RevDoc]

Ha! I'm just headed out to crash in my hammock under a big cat tarp I made from Wal*Mart green SIL stuff, (had enough for a back pack, too) and just HAD to click on this thread...

I only wish I'd asked Mom to teach me to sew when I was little, not learn by hand on my bunk in the Army. Little did I know that sewing was a Manly Art...

[Rmplstlskn]

Wow! Got an unbelievable deal on a Consew industrial, "walking-foot," single-stitch sewing machine, motor and work table... $420!!! Just an hour's drive away...


For over a year I have tried, with fair success, to do all my web gear and cordura projects and mods on my old 1927 "66" Singer "Red Eye" sewing machine, but the thread tensions needed for sewing multiple layers of nylon webbing were just not possible on these cast iron beauties...


Nor was it capable of large needles for thick, mil-spec, nylon thread...

Now, web gear work will be like butter! I guess I will have to start modding others web gear as well... :lol:


Anyone else mod their own gear to make it "just right" for you?

Rmpl

[610Alpha]

@Protus -- what is the material you use for your tarps/shelters? I tried looking at my walmart and can't find anything that looks like that...I probably need to go to an actual fabric store.

[Rmplstlskn]

@Protus -- what is the material you use for your tarps/shelters? I tried looking at my walmart and can't find anything that looks like that...I probably need to go to an actual fabric store.

Most use lightweight "silnylon," which is silicone-impregnated nylon fabric. I found some at a local Jo-Ann's store, but the best source for outdoorsy nylon supplies, besides dedicated web sites, is eBay...

I doubt Walmart will have what you are looking for, that place is geared to normal clothes sewing, etc... Not Rambo gear...

Rmpl

[Bearman202]

610Alpha, you can find a great deal on canvas at most paint stores. Look for drop cloths. I bought several, and they're not only huge, they good quality. I've seen the plastic tarps disolve into shreds too many times. Then again, in the midwest, even canvas can tear after a year or two. The natives that lived in this area built log cabins, rather than relying on temporary housing. If you can, do a bit of research into the way the natives lived in your area, and you can get an idea of the direction you need to go. They lived here for a lot longer than the Europeans who came later, and did the trail and error stuff for us.

(A friend bought and erected a 24' teepee. After about six months, it became obvious why most natives considered cats to be target practice. They would see the shadows of a leaf on the side of the teepee, jump up and try to grab it with their claws, and RIIIPPPPP! Not a good thing to have happen. His teepee finally dry rotted too. Way too humid for canvas to be set up on a continuing basis, and a good lesson in drying stuff out after the rain....)

[protus]

Employees. I've gotten all my silver nylon and other nylons from Wally world....even 8+ yards of coyote 1000 d.

[Rmplstlskn]

Employees. I've gotten all my silver nylon and other nylons from Wally world....even 8+ yards of coyote 1000 d.

Nice... Your Walmart must be more "super" than mine... Very small sewing section where I live.

Rmpl

[thedreamers]

If you ask the ladies back in crafts alot of the time the can order material for you, aslong as its in there catalog book. Gf has had them due it a few times on different cammo prints.