Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    New Member landcruzr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    49

    Fabric Identification???

    I have a bunch of fabric from wal-mart- I told everyone I know that if they saw sil-nyl there to pick it up for me- now I have at least three or four different types of nylon- how can I be sure what is what- Some of it seems very heavy and coated on one side-I was told that it is probably DWR-How can I be sure??? I did test it by cutting a swatch off and securing it over a large glass of water-then turning the glass up-side-down for 24hrs- there was no leak-thru - would DWR leak or not? and if it is DWR- does anyone have any suggestions on projects for it?? as for the other fabrics- I'll have to work on identifying them as well so that I cam make all kinds of things this winter!!!!

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Western New York
    Posts
    369
    water test:

    take the unknown material (not a swatch) and form a depression inside a glass. fill it with water, and see if it leaks. If not, empty the water and see if the water on the fabric is absorbed, or if it just beads off. If it beads off, congrats, chances are its sil or a REALLY heavy DWR.


    Breath test:

    take said fabric in question and hold it against your mouth. Inhale and exhale deeply. If you can breath barely, its a DWR. If it breaths easily, uncoated. If it does not breath, chances are sil.


    burn test:

    this is a great test, if you like fire. Cut a small swatch of fabric, and in a safe place lite it on fire. If it beads up into a black plastic and smells sweet, its polyester. If it beads white and smells like chemicals, tis nylon.


    Fray test:

    with a cut end of the fabric, pull it and mess with it and see what happens. Uncoated frays easily, heavy coated fabrics fray slower, and sil barely frays.

  3. #3
    New Member landcruzr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    49
    OK- started the stuff I have most of on fire in the basement- it turned into flaming droplets of black plastic and stunk up the house- guessing that makes it polyester????
    the other stuff I have is much lighter-kinda opaque-as I can see my hand through it- the polyester has much bigger ripstop type squares- and the real light stuff has much smaller ripstop squares and is much crunchier than the supposed polyester

  4. #4
    Senior Member FanaticFringer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Lawrenceville, Ga
    Hammock
    JRB Bear Mtn. Bridge
    Tarp
    BlackCat/JRB 11x10
    Insulation
    Pad(s)/JRB Quilts
    Posts
    2,417
    Images
    34
    Quote Originally Posted by landcruzr View Post
    OK- started the stuff I have most of on fire in the basement- it turned into flaming droplets of black plastic and stunk up the house- guessing that makes it polyester????
    the other stuff I have is much lighter-kinda opaque-as I can see my hand through it- the polyester has much bigger ripstop type squares- and the real light stuff has much smaller ripstop squares and is much crunchier than the supposed polyester
    Did you have a fire extinguisher on hand? DIY is not worth losing the house.
    "Every day above ground is a good day"

  5. #5
    Senior Member Just Jeff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Charlottesville, VA
    Hammock
    Blackbird
    Tarp
    MacCat Standard
    Insulation
    Winter Yeti, MWUQ4
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    7,924
    Images
    32
    If you can see that one side is coated, it's not DWR. It's probably urethane coated nylon...good for backpacks but heavy for a tarp. Not that a heavy tarp is a bad thing, especially if you're just getting started. Much easier to sew that than 1.1 oz silnylon!
    “Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” ~Judge Joseph Story

    - My site: http://www.tothewoods.net/
    - Designer, Jeff's Gear Hammock / Pack Cover by JRB

    IMPOSSIBLE JUST TAKES LONGER

  6. #6
    New Member landcruzr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    49
    I can definately see that one side is coated- I also cant seem to blow air through it-and the idea of doing a pack has crossed my mind-I'll have to start looking for fairly simple plans and see how it goes- I'm all set for tarps right now-

  7. #7
    Senior Member Grinder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    winter haven, florida
    Hammock
    DIY double layer
    Tarp
    Guide Gear
    Insulation
    Pad or DIY quilt
    Suspension
    rings and strap
    Posts
    755
    Images
    19
    this may not be true, but last year, when I was asking the same question, I was told the sil "crinkles" when you bunch it up. DWR doesn't.

    I have a bunch of gray DWR that I thought was Sil. Couldn't blow through it. Sent half to another member who informed me it was DWR and told me the "crinkle" trick.

    I don't think I've ever seen sil fabric in the flesh

    Tom

  8. #8
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    Custom OES tarp
    Insulation
    JRB Down UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    8,797
    Images
    40
    Water test...
    It might take quite a while for the water to leak through the material if it's not silnylon. Depends on how much of a DWR coating the material has. So be sure to give it some time.

    I haven't tried any of the fire tests...


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  9. #9
    New Member landcruzr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    49
    What does DWR look like and weigh? does it have a shiny(coated) side and have the ripstop pattern in it?-It does look like it would make pretty good pack material-but I dont know what to call this stuff-not sure what to call anything anymore - but I am going to turn some of it into a pack- cut out all the parts today- and when the snow lets up I will be off to the store to get some thread and webbing to put it all together- if it works out- I'm going to make some more for the fam- hopefully I'll have some pictures to share before Christmas
    The pattern I picked is the "GV-4"
    I think I found it through a link here somewhere-
    thanks
    Landcruzr

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Apex vs ordinary jar bridge identification
      By litetrek in forum Arrowhead Equipment (Home of Kick Ass Quilts)
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 11-16-2013, 22:12
    2. Fabric identification help
      By Ldnmkl in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 10-25-2013, 21:17

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •