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  1. #1
    Senior Member Gra_factor's Avatar
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    Jun 2011
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    Syracuse, NY
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    Cheap tarp made from Heatsheets

    A friend of mine has made a bunch of these for her family. If you take good care of them they should last a dozen trips or more. I used 2 "Heatsheets" emergency blankets and taped them together with "Frost King" waterproof and freeze-proof tape. The sheets are about 4 bucks each and the tape is about $3 plus. I also strengthened the edges with some regular packing tape. Obviously it won't take a grommet or any kind of sewing so you need to tie a couple of knots in the corners then tie your guy lines over them.

    Here's the blanket: in the USA you can get these at Dicks or other camping stores:
    http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...hp?i=15083&c=7

    Getting it to lay flat is important. Carpeted floor won't work. My friend tapers hers to the wall with low-tack tape. Luckily my work has a nice big cutting mat:
    http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...php?i=15085&c=

    The tape is 2" (5cm) wide. I was trying for an inch a side and I just laid the other sheet down edge to edge. Frost King tape is actually pretty low tack when you apply it, so you can carefully peel it back and re-set it if you don't gt it right. I assume it cures over time.
    http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...php?i=15086&c=

    I flipped it over and taped the edges on the other, then tied knots in the corners. I will hitch some shock cord over the knots.

    http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...php?i=15087&c=

    The last thing I did was to apply some clear packing tape along the edges of the silver side. It might have better to do this before the knots, but we'll see.

    The tarp is hung on a diagonal. It measures 84" x 112", so it's plenty big. My friend cuts hers down first so the final dimensions are 84" x 84", but I couldn't be bothered. She usually has the shiny side down, which apparently helps reflect some heat back as well.

    All for 10 bucks approximately!

  2. #2
    Senior Member Pipsissewa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Yancey Co., NC - Home of Mt. Mitchell
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    And about 2.5 ounces x 2 = 5 ounces!!! (142 grams!) CL!!!!
    "Pips"
    Mountains have a dreamy way
    Of folding up a noisy day
    In quiet covers, cool and gray.

    ---Leigh Buckner Hanes

    Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.

    Surely, God never did.

  3. #3
    Senior Member DemostiX's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Like Lewis & Clark: Wintrin' o/t Columbia again: PDX
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    Clark w 2QZQ mod,Tropical, NX;Nano
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    Clark micro
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    This bi-directional fiberglass strapping tape may be what you'd like for the tie-outs. Tensile strength is 220lb in both directions,

    http://www.findtape.com/product328/J...ping-Tape.aspx

    Find there a reference to polyester tape, filament reinforced that is even stronger.

    Adhesiive strengths on stainless steel are given as about 5lb per inch. Dunno if that means that 10 sq inches would be required to have 50lb of sheer strength. On the other hand, at no more than U$.10 yd, cost you could run strips completely crossing the tarp and have that 220+ lb tensile strength, with surely enough adhedsion.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Otter1's Avatar
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    Dec 2006
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    FL
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    DIY Hexon 1.0, Hexon 1.6
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    Very nice! thank you for posting.

    Please post pics of it over your hammock!

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Jan 2011
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    My ultralight summer tarp is almost exactly the same, except I used duct tape to reinforce the edges and the ridge line. I works great, but I would never take it if I expected bad weather... It just isn't big enough.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Gra_factor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Syracuse, NY
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    Byer of Maine Moskito
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    Chinook 12" x 9'6"
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    web cinch buckle
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    That tape looks really cool. I'm a design engineer so I like investigating new materials/products.

    I will definitely take a photo next time I set up. I need to get some shock cord and more tent stakes first.

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