Just finished first DIY hex cat cut tarp

**NWAlabamaHiker** · 04-22-2015, 21:28

Thanks to Ripstopbytheroll.com, Diygearsupply.com and Dutchwaregear.com, I just finished my first tarp project and I couldn't be happier with it! Of course I haven't tried it in the rain yet, so once I do, I may be disappointed if it leaks! :scared
I call it my "bat" - big a## tarp! Here are pics starting with my plans for the tarp, to a pic of my idea for something to help mark off cat cuts, to picture of the tarp in double ended stuff sack (my design with pocket on the side for zing it ridgeline) and small sack to keep stakes and finally the finished tarp. I put tieouts on all four corners and at each end of ridgeline and also tieouts in the middle of each side- inside and outside. I put the ones outside, of course, to tie out my sides to give me more room under the tarp and I put tieouts inside to attach the tieouts on my hammock bug net to. It works great!
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**Spark** · 04-22-2015, 22:03

Looks Good! BTW What did you use to mark the material with to cut it out?

**FLScouthanger** · 04-22-2015, 22:18

Great work! Which material from RSBTR is that? I've recently been using their HyperD on a few projects and love that stuff. It's easy to work with; not too slippery.

**NWAlabamaHiker** · 04-22-2015, 22:48

Originally Posted by FLScouthanger

Great work! Which material from RSBTR is that? I've recently been using their HyperD on a few projects and love that stuff. It's easy to work with; not too slippery.

I used regular silnylon. I looked closely at the HyperD and almost went that route, but since it was my first go at making a tarp, I went the cheap(er) route because I wasn't sure of my abilities to do it right! I think it turned out good enough that I will try HyperD next time. That was my biggest issue with the SilNylon- was that it was as slippery as owl crap! If HyperD is less slippery, then that would be a plus!

**NWAlabamaHiker** · 04-22-2015, 22:51

Originally Posted by Spark

Looks Good! BTW What did you use to mark the material with to cut it out?

This is what I used:
Clover Pen Style Chaco Liner White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016ZZOEK..._UUgovb1R5K08Z

Since silnylon is so slippery, this worked better than anything else I have tried. I could have used a permanent marker maybe(?) But didn't want to leave permanent marks on the tarp.

**NWAlabamaHiker** · 04-22-2015, 22:53

As for my "tool" I used to get the right curve for the cat cuts, I used a 6' metal ruler from Lowes. Used some tech line to string it up and tension it like you would a bow until I got the curve I wanted.

**Spark** · 04-22-2015, 22:58

Thanks, I've been looking for something to use on black.

**NWAlabamaHiker** · 04-22-2015, 23:12

Originally Posted by Spark

Thanks, I've been looking for something to use on black.

Just a quick tip if you go that route: when I got it, I thought it would work almost like a marker and that chalk would just flow out of the end, it took me a while to figure out that the end actually has a roller, so you have to apply a little pressure to the get the roller moving. Since it is chalk and not a marker of some sort, there might be some slight "skipping", but nothing major. It might not be the perfect solution, but I was really pleased with how it worked.