Has anyone ordered CF for DIY projects? Im curious if it has square edges or if its all fuzzy on the running edges when ordered as a material. Id like to start out with something simple such as a ground cloth/rectangular tarp and see how that pans out. I think ill still bivy on longer trips.
It has a plastic selvage-type line along the edges, but it is square not fuzzy. you can just trim it off . Cuben fiber is very easy to work with, it doesn't fray, and stays folded when sewing/taping etc.
That's what it looked like on one web site then another showed it looking stringy. Is it possible to get away with zero sewing and tape all the edges? I have no clue how to sew..
Last edited by Wolfie; 04-05-2017 at 12:59.
All my stuff sacks have been taped and have held up for a couple to several years so far.Originally Posted by Wolfie
Only thing I'm going to do now is convert a couple to roll top from draw string closures.
Buy 'good' tape from one of the well known vendors here and let it dry completely before stressing a seam. I overstuffed one of my diy sacks before the tape had really set and the seem started to separate. I stopped, let it cure and it's been fine ever since.
It really is easy to work with and I pick up scraps often just to make stuff sacks, ultimately everything in the pack will be compartmentalized and secure in CF. The trash compactor liner bag is just insurance.
For a groundcloth I've been using a Tyvek scrap for years. Robust, waterproof and just works.
Have sherpas, will travel...
Triangles, it's all about the triangles.
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To answer your first question, it is a straight edge but there is a selvidge that needs to be cut off. Consider the construction, cuben is a weave of Dyneema fibers sandwiched between two layers of Mylar. The Dyneema weave stops about an inch shy of the edge so that last inch, or the selvidge, will be just plastic with no Dyneema and trust me, you need to remove it as it's extremely fragile.
Second question, yes it can absolutely be taped. I would recommend the double sided tape from Zpacks. It's 3m 9460pc and is very good tape. Some say use 3m primer, I just used rubbing alcohol. I constructed this entire tent using tape, including all reinforcement patches and tie outs.
IMG_3802.jpg
You can see the raw plastic in this photo. That has to be trimmed with a razor blade, which is also how you will cut the cuben. Scissors are a no go.
cuben.PNG
Wow thats a sweet looking rig! Thats exactly what i wanted to hear!
So making a rectangular tarp should be relatively easy as long as i take my time. Thanks for the helpful info!
Im going to start super small but what i really want is a 8x8.
The ridgeline on my hammock gear palace tarp is just taped, there's no sewing on it.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Pine Barrens Leather
Yeah i have a few cuban shelters and tarps i just got this brain storm today while at work.. as sad as this sounds ive never really paid much attention to the build on them.. just get em and go
Flat tarp will be super easy. I would do a 1in ridgeline seam and 1/2in hems on the sides. Also, you will need to decide how to attach your tie out reinforcements, etc. A lot of examples out there to follow, no need to reinvent the wheel.
PS - Consider a 9x9 tarp. Even easier. Buy 6 yards of cuben, cut once at the 3 yard mark and start taping. Negligible weight difference.
Last edited by Violent Green; 04-05-2017 at 21:30.
Yeah I have zero interest in trying to reinvent the wheel lol. Looking to just do something simple to get that DIY gratification. Ill probably start youtubing & window shopping around today.
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