Fabric Question

[slowhike]

you may be able to find some slightly heaver coated fabrics at a better price (maybe) but i would suggest considering 8 yards of silnylon from speer hammocks at $4.25 per yard.
that's not a bad price for a full coverage, silnylon tarp.

[Preacha Man]

If I decide not to make a tarp out of this fabric and at the risk of hijacking the thread I started, what are some places (other than Wal-Mart) that I can get silnylon. Also, what are some other fabrics that I can use to make a tarp? Are there any other cost effective materials that I can use for a tarp, or is silnylon the most budget friendly fabric? Sorry to be asking so many "newbie" questions, but I am still relatively new to making gear other than soda can stoves.

Really any kind of lightweight waterproof fabric will work. I have heard of people using a large mil plastic sheet for a while. I have used Tyvek, its light and economical. You can get sil from numerous places, such as; Ed Speers, Outdoor wilderness fabrics, thru-hiker.com. All of them will get you sil, with different prices. Ed Speers is a fellow hammocker and very great to work with. The key to making things is to see what works best for you, but the DWR will not make a good tarp in a lasting rain.

Dwight

[froldt]

Sorry to be asking so many "newbie" questions, but I am still relatively new to making gear other than soda can stoves.

As another newbie who's learning from your questions just as you are, keep on asking!