DIY/pre-made Proportions?

[Bushwhacker]

How many people here make their own gear? I just saw a claim that "more than most" people here make their own gear.... So here is my informal poll.

For the sake of clarity: If a family member made it/you received it as a gift, consider that DIY, and if you spent any money (excluding raw materials), consider it DIY.

This is for hammocks only, suspension is a different issue entirely.

Edit: First two are "have both" and preference, last two are only have one type, but would gladly switch.

[Junebugdawn]

I make my own gear. I've basically made everything except my tarp.

[pgibson]

There are literally thousands of members here that have never made a post on the forum. I think that it would be silly to say that most folks make their own gear when most folks don't say anything one way or the other. There has always been a strong DIY focus on HF, in the early days everyone basically had to make their own gear, but as membership has grown so has the silent majority. My guess is that less than 10% of the membership here regularly contributes with posts, and there is a large number of folks that read without joining to be counted in the membership. Going to be a hard one to judge.

[Bushwhacker]

There are literally thousands of members here that have never made a post on the forum. I think that it would be silly to say that most folks make their own gear when most folks don't say anything one way or the other. There has always been a strong DIY focus on HF, in the early days everyone basically had to make their own gear, but as membership has grown so has the silent majority. My guess is that less than 10% of the membership here regularly contributes with posts, and there is a large number of folks that read without joining to be counted in the membership. Going to be a hard one to judge.

Hence informal poll - I do not consider this scientifically accurate, and I recognize the strong selection bias. In my opinion it is better than nothing, and will hopefully be more accurate than ballparking it.

[perdidochas]

No option for DIY hammock, pre-made tarp.

[Life Scout]

DIY every think. Hammock, tarp, backpack G4 kit, down UQ and modified down TQ.

[lmoseley7]

Everything I have is DIY, but I would love a cuban fiber tarp or even a sil tarp that I didn't make. Just haven't been able to part with the money yet. My hold up is about 70%-30% time and money; but not what you think. Obviously a $300-$400 cuban tarp is pricey but I could make it happen if I wanted to. My problem is I only get out for 1 or 2 trips a year (time) so I can't rationalize spending that much money on something that will only get used rarely. Instead, I try to steal away time for DIY that gets me in the camping mode to keep that feeling going throughout the year until my next trip. Maybe when my boys are older I can get out more.

[VictoriaGuy]

The question/title is not at all clear: 'Do you make your own gear?'.... then, later on: 'This is for hammocks only'
Most places, 'gear' is not the same as 'hammock'

The concept of DIY gets a bit stretched as well, when talking hammocks. Tie a knot in each end of a purchased tablecloth and you have a completed DIY project.

[Bushwhacker]

The question/title is not at all clear: 'Do you make your own gear?'.... then, later on: 'This is for hammocks only'
Most places, 'gear' is not the same as 'hammock'

The concept of DIY gets a bit stretched as well, when talking hammocks. Tie a knot in each end of a purchased tablecloth and you have a completed DIY project.

Yeah I noticed that, but couldn't edit my poll wording.

[canoebie]

I kind of want to respond "don't know" because I find myself rotating between the 8 hammocks I own. 3are "commercially" made and 5 are diy. Just depends on my mood, weather, bugs, etc. etc. I still have not developed a strong preference for a hammock. Been hanging 7 years now.