DIY. Is it REALLY worth it?

[MacCherokee]

Hammock pretty easy.
Rectangle tarp same.
Costco quilts, PLUQ more labor intensive and challenging.
A "real" UQ- I would never want to try it.


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[TiedUp]

It depends on the person and their situation. I have the ability to build anything on this site - however I don't have the time or patience right now to build anything that takes more than 5 minutes. Raising kids and having having home projects and a career is more than enough to keep me tied up. Hehe. So I support the cottage industry.
Maybe when I retire in about 15 or so years I can more diy.


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[PharmGeek]

Ditto as Tacblades said...

I doubt it has yet saved me money and I don't much care. It has been tremendous fun and thankful I must be ok enough as my end results have been entirely useable/functional.

I actually enjoy it so much I have slowly looked forward to replacing my purchased gear with my DIY - not because it is clearly better necessarily but because i get my own personalized stuff.

If you enter into DIY with saving money as a primary motivator - more than likely disappointment will ensue.

But some people do make it economical in their own situation - there are some clever people.

I've been doing it now for like 5 months and the addiction only grows. I guess in a couple years I could get bored and walk away so who knows.

I raise kids and full time working and so I just work on projects and hour here and an hour there and before too long I finish it up...but time is precious

Absolutely nothing wrong with ordering from the manufacturers!



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[tcar0341]

For some things yes, and other things no.

I bought a HG Burrow. Totally worth every penny. I would never want to make one myself.

I made my own underquilt from scratch to try to save money. In retrospect, should have just bought something.

However, in retro-retrospect i'm glad i made it because it's been a source of experimentation and i've realized that most of the current generation of underquilts are not designed very well, IMNSHO. I think my DIY is now better for my needs than a commercial offering.

I made my own 12' hammock from regular ol' ripstop. ~$45. 2-3 hours of work. It was easy. Totally worth it.

If you need an good underquilt on the cheap, i'm always happy to plug my Gemini DIY no-sew project.

I just bookmarked your DIY UQ page. Thanks!!


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[GT]

HINT: If you dont make around 70 or 80K a year, forget about finding insurance.

[kitsapcowboy]

"I should have just put the money into getting this done by someone who knows what they're doing"?

Cynicism really isn't in my nature, but IMHO if you have to ask whether DIY is really worth it then the answer (for you) is "no"; DIY is a calling for those who are of a mindset to reap its rewards and a straight-up chore for those who would have been better served by steering clear.

[jellyfish]

The only thing I don't like about DIY is the space it takes up in my house. I wish I could have a designated sewing room.

Even so, for me it is more than worth it. I like sewing and I'm always making one thing or another. Sewing camping gear is fun but using it is even more fun. It all depends upon what you like to do.

I doubt I'm saving any money. I'm not actually counting or comparing to what one can buy. I haven't spent much time looking at what is available for sale, to he honest.

[kitsapcowboy]

I wish I could have a designated sewing room...

I wish I could have a dedicated sewing HOUSE...

[Karla "with a k"]

Last year I started hammocking. I purchased an initial set up from a member (hammock, ridgeline, ridgeline organizer, & stuff sack). I then dusted off Grandma's old sewing machine and taught myself to sew. I made a hammock, ridgeline organizer and stuff sack with my new knowledge. And then I started fixing my own clothes with a sewing machine than stitching by hand. I made a sack for my camp chair, one for my tree straps, another for my marshmallow prongs, and one for my camping cutlery. I've made stuff sacks for friends as gifts and sold a couple too.

I'm not sure I want to make or purchase a TQ or UQ yet. I know a tarp and tree straps are next on my DIY list. I am super proud of the gear I've made and glad to know how to make stuff sacks. I've saved a ton of money just with that.

Not sure I really helped answer your question (as I'm debating about making vs. buying TQ & UQ myself).

[jcksparow]

Hammock pretty easy.
Rectangle tarp same.
Costco quilts, PLUQ more labor intensive and challenging.
A "real" UQ- I would never want to try it.

Pretty much ditto. My wife and I have made virtually all of our gear (hammocks/tarps/few costco quilts), but ordered our winter quilts from Enlightened Equipment, as the prospect of making those ourselves was just too daunting.