Photographs of Superfly pole mod w/grommets and split rings

[OnTheMove]

After reading most, if not all, of the posts concerning this subject I ended up using 4 of the 26" Easton 340" poles (cut into 8 - 13" lengths), 4 tie-off grommets, and 2 of the 145 degree arches from Quest. Everything is shock-corded together. Three inches in from the end of each pole I placed a 5/8" outside diameter by 5/16" inside diameter rubber grommet. On the tarp's pullouts I secured a 3/8" split ring. The arch piece has a piece of washing machine water hose slipped over it to reduce/eliminate any unnecessary abrasive rubbing. Because the grommets fit so tightly on the pole, and are slightly larger, when the pole ends are slipped into the split ring there is no further movement and tension is secure.

There's been no equipment/design failure thus far in rain and very windy conditions.

[varga49]

After reading most, if not all, of the posts concerning this subject I ended up using 4 of the 26" Easton 340" poles (cut into 8 - 13" lengths), 4 tie-off grommet, and 2 of the 145 degree arches from Quest. Everything is shock-corded together. Three inches in from the end of each pole I placed a 5/8" outside diameter by 5/16" inside diameter rubber grommet. On the tarp's pullouts I secured a 3/8" split ring. The arch piece has a piece of washing machine water hose slipped over it to reduce/eliminate any unnecessary abrasive rubbing. Because the grommets fit so tightly on the pole, and are slightly larger, when the pole ends are slipped into the split ring there is no further movement and tension is secure. I DO appreciate the pictures. They really help me decide and plan for my new tarp. I've already got poles although they are .344 as opposed to the .340 shown here. That's a very clean set up! Thanks again for the pictures!

There's been no equipment/design failure thus far in rain and very windy conditions.

[AZsteelman]

very nice!

[zukiguy]

Ditch the washer hose...it's more abrasive than the poles themselves....

Do you have a weight on the completed poles? I made a full length internal pole mod but it's kind of heavy so that's going to be a "short" or car camping only luxury. Something smaller like this might come along in the pack.

[sustaireblues]

That's a slick looking pole mod! I like the short pole lengths.

[Passinthru]

I used brass grommets attached to the web loops for my pole mod. But i like the idea of using split rings. I think I will look at making some changes.

[OnTheMove]

zukiguy, respectfully asking,...I'm wondering why you're inclined to think the hose, which has a clear vinyl covering on it, would be more abrasive?

As for the total weight,...7.2 oz/204.1 grams

[TominMN]

zukiguy, respectfully asking,...I'm wondering why you're inclined to think the hose, which has a clear vinyl covering on it, would be more abrasive?

As for the total weight,...7.2 oz/204.1 grams

I think he's probably right. The smooth, anodized aluminum pole is almost certainly slipperier than even a vinyl tube except at the joint and I'm guessing the joints are never really in contact with the fly. Wouldn't have thought of it if he hadn't mentioned it.

[zukiguy]

Tom beat me to it....

[OnTheMove]

Sounds reasonable thinking about it that way, so...slowly and with care I'll use a carpet knife to cut these two pieces off, and an additional benefit will be a slight further reduction in the total weight. Thanks fellows...