Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: Typo-On on June 09, 2011

Title: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Typo-On on June 09, 2011
Following on from the 'Make your own hobo stove' thread I thought I would post my attempt to make my own Micro-Tarp.

My idea is to use this while bivying.

Its purpose is to allow me somewhere to sit if its raining and also to provide shelter for the top half of my bivy bag from wind and rain with enough room to cover by backpack as well while being as small and light as possible.

I have to say that the plan from http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-solo-micro-tarp.html (http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-solo-micro-tarp.html) was perfect for what I wanted so I have simply copied it  ;D

I have a length of Silnylon and some webbing and will be making it today/tonight. Fingers crossed all goes well.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: RedLeader on June 09, 2011
Interesting. I bought a ultralight solo tarp but it was pricey. Is perfect for solo bivvying, super light but enough room for one in bad weather and two if it's nice. Wish I could sew!!

Is very interesting that it's not square/rectangular like a usual tarp.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on June 09, 2011
wow this looks class! Nice find.

Where do you get the Silnylon?
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: twentyclicks on June 09, 2011
Cool: interested to hear how you get on.
I may be making one of these myself for some extra comfort when bivvying more than one night in a row.

Point North are a good online source of tech fabrics.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Spud on June 09, 2011
this is great, have wanted one of these for a while, but funds are tight, so this would be a good solution, and me mother in law is a dab hand with a sewing machine!  ;D
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Drongo on June 09, 2011
That looks like a school floor...?
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on June 09, 2011
I might try and make one of these too. It looks really good.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on June 10, 2011
Nice work there flipmeb. It looks really good.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Kayakgirl on June 10, 2011
Are you taking orders? ;D
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: MG1 on June 10, 2011
Looks good dude
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: twentyclicks on June 10, 2011
Very nice - that's loads of protection.
I do imagine the silnylon takes a bit of work on the machine - my sister will likely tell me where to go if I ask her to help, I'll be shown how it works and left to swear to myself  :D
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Scribble on June 10, 2011
Quote from: Shamara on June 10, 2011
Are you taking orders? ;D

Ditto  ;D

Looks a cracking piece of kit , must be a nice feeling knowing you made it  ;)
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: VMCC on June 24, 2011
Hope it went well Flipmeb, it looks great. I'll be interested in any more photos you take of it so keep us updated!
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: twentyclicks on June 24, 2011
Was it just the 'silicon coated nylon' you ordered for this? It's a confusing maze of materials on there.
I ordered a few PU coated samples to compare the feel, ripstop, beading (and colour  ::) )

Trying to weigh up the weights and waterproofing. The highest has a hydrostatic head of 1200mm (which is probably ok for a tarp). I wonder how much weight an application of fabsil would add??

ps. got some pertex and isobond insulation samples - there may be an elephant foot/quilt type project on the horizon too!
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on June 24, 2011
I order the camo pu coated nylon with a hydrostatic head of 1200mm last week. It should do the job :) i was thinking of getting some midge netting for my hammock as well.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on June 24, 2011
your stuff is lighter.

http://www.profabrics.co.uk/shop/show_product_info.php?id=NR6C
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: twentyclicks on June 25, 2011
Cool, cheers for the info knights of the sewing circle.

Aye - thinking of the olive NR6 same as the camo, or might try one of the lighter NR3 PU ripstops (and in a lighter cheery colour, seeing as my bivy bag is already bright blue there won't be much hiding behind a micro tarp)  ;D

For the quilt thingy might get the cheapo bag of pertex off-cuts and see what happens! (too much stitching will be heavy though)
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on July 09, 2011
Finished my micro tarp  ;D

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/IMG_3381.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/IMG_3382.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/IMG_3378.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/IMG_3379.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/aakilles/IMG_3380.jpg)




Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Gerry on July 09, 2011
Looking good.  ;)
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Kayakgirl on July 09, 2011
Looks fab, can I place an order?
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on July 10, 2011
Quote from: Kayakgirl on July 09, 2011
Looks fab, can I place an order?

lol i'll make you one if ya want. The materials cost about 20 squid!
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Kayakgirl on July 10, 2011
Sounds good!! What colours do they come in?
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Eamonn on July 10, 2011
All the colours of the rainbow.
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: Kayakgirl on July 10, 2011
Cool!!  Purple might be nice lol
Title: Re: Make your own Micro-Tarp
Post by: twentyclicks on July 10, 2011
Good job! Beats £45 for one from BPL.