What is this pole modification everyone speaks of?..

[Trooper]

I've been searching for another photo done with a standard HH fly. I recall that it was because the owner didn't like how the shock cord interfered with the natural sway. There weren't any stakes involved.

[Ekul]

I'm missing something here.

Is the pole pre-bent? If not, what keeps it from launching pegs into lunar orbit?

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...&cutoffdate=-1

First pole I used to experiment was a wally world 3/8 fiberglass pole cut to length. Its stiff but the msr ground hogs held fine. I use a 5/16" fiberglass pole now. Its a lot less springy.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...&cutoffdate=-1

here it is under 1.5" of snow holding strong.

[MacEntyre]

I've been playing with making a carbon fiber pole that doesn't cost $50 to $100.

I have an ultra light, three piece, adjustable, carbon fiber pole for about $20.

I'm working on a second use for the pieces, so you don't just carry it around until you need it for your tarp.

Stay tuned!

- MacEntyre

[Gonzzo]

Any news Mac?, im dying to see what you are working on.

Thanks.

Gonzzo.

[lazy river road]

WOw hat loks like a really cool mod, very nice work 2Q. I cant wait to hear gear reports of how the mod evolves over time.

[MedicineMan]

Crystal ball says that there is in the works of a great mind a double pole mode for bridge users.....can you say conestoga....

[MacEntyre]

Any news Mac?, im dying to see what you are working on.

I have not modded my tarp, but I have made the adjustable pole. What I am working on is a way to assemble the pole from the stiffeners in a Molly Mac Pack, so it has a dual purpose.

The adjustable pole takes (2) four foot long carbon tubes and (1) four foot long carbon tube of smaller diameter. The smaller diameter pole fits perfectly inside the other two, so it joins all three together. The smaller diameter tube also stows inside the larger diameter tube when not in use.

To use the assembled pole, you tie the middle of the smaller diameter tube at the ridge of the tarp, and it takes the curve. The longer, larger diameter tubes extend down to the pockets at the bottome edge of the tarp. To adjust the length, you simply extend the larger diameter tubes by sliding them up and down the smaller diameter tube. The curve of the smaller diameter tube serves to make it all tight so it doesn't slip, but you could add a short piece of electrical tape at each joint for peace of mind.

If you want to try this at home, I'm using the following:
(2) tubes that are 0.210" OD X 0.132" ID X 48" [CST Item # T517-4]
(1) tube that is 0.125" OD X 0.072" ID X 48" [CST Item # T512-4]

All three tubes together weight only 2 oz. Total cost is about $21.

All this carbon fiber tubing is about three times what is necessary to stiffen a Molly Mac Pack. Since the Molly Mac Pack is only two feet tall, the four foot poles must be cut in half and joined with a union, which is simply a short piece of the smaller diameter tube.

When I have a way of opening and closing the binding on the MMP, all of this carbon fiber tubing will have a dual purpose.

Which will have to wait until I get back from Big Bend. Meanwhile, some of you should spend $21 and try this for yourself!

- MacEntyre

[Hawk-eye]

....Which will have to wait until I get back from Big Bend. Meanwhile, some of you should spend $21 and try this for yourself!

- MacEntyre

Where can you get the stuff at that price?

[Trout]

Is anyone doing this mod for others?

[2Questions]

Is anyone doing this mod for others?

ZQ here....we have someone's OES tarp here that we are going to make the pole mod for. We probably will be offering this mod on our web site in a week or two. We will be doing the sewing....you will be responsible for getting the poles. We will make sure we post when it is put on our site. Thanks