What is this pole modification everyone speaks of?..

[MacEntyre]

Where can you get the stuff at that price?

KC Hobby in Archdale has the CST line of carbon fiber tubes. That's where I buy all my carbon fiber at retail prices. There is no wholesale source, other than retail distribution, especially for small quantities.

I probably should buy a BL of it... prices are going up.

EDIT: I added the CST Item numbers to my previous post.

[Hawk-eye]

Thanks Mac ... might just have to give them a visit soon.

[Hawk-eye]

Well picked up a couple three sections of the carbon fiber rods that Mac mentioned from KC in Archdale and played a bit last night.

Not sure how well it will work but the more I read bout this the more I like the idea 2Q uses with the pole. I've got a couple fiberglass tent poles that will work great ... but Mac's post about the CF got me interested just on the weight. So at a little over 4 dollars each for the 0.125" OD X 0.072" ID X 48" [CST Item # T512-4] CF rods I picked up three and a short piece of the tubes that are 0.210" OD X 0.132" ID X 48" [CST Item # T517-4] (got a cheap deal on a short section).

Test number one was to cut them to 16" lengths, a really packable size and I could get three out of a 48" rod ... it'll take 7 for my 10x12 tarp so that gives me two spares which I'd carry since the whole bundle after ferruling weighs nearly nothing ... not even two oz.

I cut the ferrules 1.5 inches (0.210" OD X 0.132" ID) leaving .75" for the connection. Glued these in place with super glue (well the expensive version for CF).

I took two and bent them after drying to see how much flex they'd take before damaging ... the rods bent more than enough to be acceptable but the ferrule snapped. I thought it might since these rods have straight fibers the length of the tube ... no wrap to them at all. So my next step will be to reinforce the ferrule with heat shrink tubing tonight and see how that works.

Because of this issue I'd be afraid to go with the internal ferrule on something I'm going to flex with the tarp unless it's reinforced with something like the heat shrink.

The fully assembled rod might be too flexible for my tarp ... I'll know this weekend under test ... if that's the case then I could just step up to the next larger diameter.

IF this works effectively ... you could have a nice single CF pole that packs small and light for less than $20 that will work on a 10x12 tarp.

ANYWAY ... I'll let you'all know if it works out for me ... or I just end up going with the fiberglass tent poles I have!

[oldgringo]

It's just a matter of time till someone crosses two poles in the middle, like a dome tent. Should be interesting.

[opie984]

Ok, I understand the mod; now I am just curious as to what brought about this evolution in tarp pitching. Is this primarily to aid in shedding rain or snow, it is to beef up wind resistance, is it for more room under the tarp, or is it just because it is so darn cool???

[Hawk-eye]

It's just a matter of time till someone crosses two poles in the middle, like a dome tent. Should be interesting.

I thought about that ... but kinda want to make it work like 2Q did with just the added "volume by the flex of the pole ... and I'm lugging enough stuff as it is! But boy a cross brace would really open that puppy up!

Ok, I understand the mod; now I am just curious as to what brought about this evolution in tarp pitching. Is this primarily to aid in shedding rain or snow, it is to beef up wind resistance, is it for more room under the tarp, or is it just because it is so darn cool???

Well a little of each ... the pole would help "open" up the inside of the tarp especially when it's pitched with the sides down ... and you just can't find a place to tie off a side pull to do it that way.

... and it's just so darn cool! Ha!

[Trooper]

Finally found the image of Jack Krohn's pole modification on Jeff's site. It is a single pole that supports the tarp and doesn't restrict the sway by staking the tie-outs to another object.

[MacEntyre]

...but the ferrule snapped. I thought it might since these rods have straight fibers the length of the tube ... no wrap to them at all.

You can get wrapped CF tubes. Of course, they are more expensive.

[Hawk-eye]

You can get wrapped CF tubes. Of course, they are more expensive.

Yeah I know ... but I think the heat shrink will do the trick ... I could be wrong ... I have been before!

[oldgringo]

Yeah I know ... but I think the heat shrink will do the trick ... I could be wrong ... I have been before!

If that doesn't work, try some of that tape with nylon running through it. Dunno what it's called.