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  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Northwest Arkansas
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC 1.1 Double
    Tarp
    DIY Silpoly 10x12
    Insulation
    SSTQ, pad under
    Suspension
    AHE Whoopies
    Posts
    57
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    5

    10' x 12' DIY Silpoly Tarp

    Whew! Finally finished! I'm new to this whole thread injector experience, but I made a roughly 10' x 12' rectangular SilPoly tarp with materials from RBTR and a few sundries from Dutch. I got the materials back in July and finished on January 2. I'm slow, but I also took a break for a while before my first son was born in November. Several times during the process, I thought to myself "I totally should have just bought instead of DIY!" However, I've certainly grown from the experience, and I'm pretty darn proud of the final product, even though it's certainly not perfect. I was using a Singer 7258 (the wife's) and it didn't seem to handle the slippery silpoly super well, but I got better at it over time. I've added a variety of different features that I've seen over a few years of lurking here, including c0wb0y_hubs retractable mod and some side pull-outs, etc. I seam-sealed with Permatex flowable silicone - seems waterproof, but I've yet to test it in the rain. Strung it up in the yard to tweak the setup the way I wanted it. Pictures below:










    Question - is it sagging in the middle like that because I'm using paracord for the RL tie-outs? I've read that it's not favored by all, but it's all I've got right now, and the aforementioned new son (who I wouldn't trade for the world ) ensures I'm not spending any more for a while on gear.

  2. #2
    Senior Member BanjoPicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Efland, NC
    Hammock
    Dream Freebird 11.5'
    Tarp
    12' DIY SilPoly
    Insulation
    Synthetic UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    strap + mule tape
    Posts
    164
    Images
    3
    Nice job!

    I recently made a SilPoly tarp too, although not as fancy as yours. For the suspension, I bought a 50' length of 3mm Bluewater NiteLine cord from REI. I believe it was $17. This is enough cord to make a 30' ridge line and four 5' tie out lines. It is made of polyester, and has very little stretch. It also has reflectors woven in so you can see it easily at night. If you want to replace the paracord, this would be a good option.

  3. #3
    Member Owlsnest's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    N/E Illinois
    Hammock
    DIY,Dream and Dutch
    Tarp
    DIY
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    JRB, HG ,AHE
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    Whoopies
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    61
    Nice Job! And congratulations on your new little camper!Tarp looks great to me,and I'm sure it will serve you well.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Twokag's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Texas Lost Pines
    Hammock
    DIY 126 x 65 Tablecloth
    Tarp
    chinook 9x12
    Insulation
    DIY down + synth
    Suspension
    cinchbuckle
    Posts
    130
    Is it sagging because of the sides staked low, and the connection to the trees up higher? If you lower your attachement points on the ends, or let the sides off the ground a little, does the ridge level out?

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Northwest Arkansas
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC 1.1 Double
    Tarp
    DIY Silpoly 10x12
    Insulation
    SSTQ, pad under
    Suspension
    AHE Whoopies
    Posts
    57
    Images
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by Twokag View Post
    Is it sagging because of the sides staked low, and the connection to the trees up higher? If you lower your attachement points on the ends, or let the sides off the ground a little, does the ridge level out?
    I've not really had a chance to play with it. I believe so, though I didn't let the stakes up to worry about it. If I lower RL attachments, I get conflict between hammock suspension and RL tieouts, even though I'm using a "V" connection on the RL tie out.

    It's not a huge problem, especially if I'm just on an overnight. Just wanted to know if it was fixable.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Northwest Arkansas
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC 1.1 Double
    Tarp
    DIY Silpoly 10x12
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    SSTQ, pad under
    Suspension
    AHE Whoopies
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    57
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    5
    Quote Originally Posted by Owlsnest View Post
    Nice Job! And congratulations on your new little camper!Tarp looks great to me,and I'm sure it will serve you well.
    Thanks on both accounts!

  7. #7
    Senior Member Country Roads's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    North Central West Virginia
    Hammock
    DIY Hexon 1.0
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    DIY Xenon Sil,
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    3s Yeti
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    straps & buckles
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    1,202
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    It could be the paracord, since it does stretch, especially when wet & that will let the middle sag down after a while.
    I have an Argon Sil tarp (nylon) that will do this, since it will stretch a bit. Polyester should not stretch, at least not much. Try cord with little stretch and make sure it is secure and cannot loosen up on you. It is a nice looking tarp!

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Springfield, VA
    Hammock
    Grand Trunk Single
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    DIY Hex
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    DIY 20* UQ/TQ
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    Cinch Buckle
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    56
    looks so nice esp with the hiking pole mod

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Northwest Arkansas
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC 1.1 Double
    Tarp
    DIY Silpoly 10x12
    Insulation
    SSTQ, pad under
    Suspension
    AHE Whoopies
    Posts
    57
    Images
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by Country Roads View Post
    It could be the paracord, since it does stretch, especially when wet & that will let the middle sag down after a while.
    I have an Argon Sil tarp (nylon) that will do this, since it will stretch a bit. Polyester should not stretch, at least not much. Try cord with little stretch and make sure it is secure and cannot loosen up on you. It is a nice looking tarp!
    Thanks! After looking around a bit more, I think it is the nylon paracord that is stretching. I'll eventually upgrade to something else - probably Zing-it/lash-it.

    Quote Originally Posted by hungh13 View Post
    looks so nice esp with the hiking pole mod
    Thanks! I'm very pleased with how that turned out as well - and I think it'll add a fair amount of room. I'm 6'3"+, so I appreciate the extra space.

  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Cleveland, GA.
    Hammock
    DIY 10.5'
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah 12
    Insulation
    DIY Synthetic
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    Becket Hitch
    Posts
    54
    Excellent work! Congrats on the addition to your family!

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