Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#91863 - 03/03/08 05:48 PM Making a silnylon tarp
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee

I am in the process of making my own silnylon tarp and I am thinking of not putting holes in it for any grommets so as to not compromise the things strength. I have located these small very light de-tachable plastic grommets. They hold tight and they don't seem to put much stress on the fabric where it would normally be "stitched". I was just wondering what every body in here thought of the idea and does any one think that it would not be feasible at all??? The tarp weighs around 28 oz. and the plastic grommets only add 4.8 oz. to that. Hope some one can help...Happy Trekking...sabre11004...


The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there !!!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#91864 - 03/03/08 06:44 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
Tango61 Offline
member

Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods
Do you have any pic's or can you describe how these grommets attach to the fabric?

I read the part 'detachable' so I'm wondering how they stay on when you want them to.

Top
#91865 - 03/03/08 09:48 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
billk Offline
member

Registered: 08/20/03
Posts: 1196
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Are you talking about these things?


Grip Clips

I have some of the smallest ones. They work, but to use them on silnylon you have to make a "washer" out of a balloon or they'll slip. For attachment at the edges of the tarp, light webbing sewn into a wide (maybe 3/4") hem and reinforced might be better.

Top
#91866 - 03/04/08 03:40 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: billk]
TurkeyBacon Offline
member

Registered: 10/04/02
Posts: 524
Loc: Boston
I'll agree with billk on this one. Sewn in loops will work better.
TB
_________________________
I had superhuman powers, but my therapist took them away.

Top
#91867 - 03/04/08 04:38 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Silnylon is so slickery that a grommet won't likely hold unless you stitch in a patch of heavier cloth to give the grommet something to clinch to.
I chose grosgrain tie loops sewn to the hem, which was three layers thick after folded. No failures after 4 years.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

Top
#91868 - 03/05/08 12:25 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
I'll admit here to much preferring stitched eyelets to grommets. I've had to replace both metal and plastic grommets in the past, but never stitched ones. I use machine stitched ones like these for garments: [img]http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Costuming/Kate's_Klobber/eyelets5.JPG[/img]

You'd probably be better off hand stitching eyelets over a metal reinforcing ring for a tarp as they would need to be larger than corset lacing holes! Some UV protected nylon tape, or tapes sewn from off-cuts of the tarp fabric, sewn into loops and stitched to reinforcing patches might be your best bet here, both for durability and weight.
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

Top
#91869 - 03/05/08 12:16 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: Kate]
pennys Offline


Registered: 12/31/01
Posts: 2842
Loc: Washington
sorry kate, but for me handstiching eyelets falls into the" you've got to be kidding me" category. If they work so great, how come no one uses them in commercially manufactured outdoors gear? Especially the high end stuff where there's tons of attention to detail, to stress points and so on. Hand done eyelets might be great for corsets and costumes, but I sure wouldn't trust it to the stresses of what ma nature can dish out, or even a well tied knot.

Based on what I see the key to successful grommet life is the right selection of materials for reinforcement and for predicted stresses. Early Winters certainly did it right, and many other tent makers too.

ps
_________________________
tips for making gear

Top
#91870 - 03/05/08 04:19 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: billk]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee


Those clips are very similar to what I have, however, the ones that I have are a little smaller. I have used them on smaller tarps and they seem to work fine. They have withstood serious rain and wind without a failure yet. I know about the balloon idea too and without the balloons the clips just will not work on silnylon. It is way too slippery and the things just will not hold. I have tested that out too and they just won't hold with out the small washers I have made out of balloons. That's a great idea and I know for a fact that it works. sabre11004 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#91871 - 03/05/08 04:22 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: Tango61]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee


It is a little hard to describe but I will try. The ones that I have are bendable plastic and they two pieces. One piece fits into the other while pushing a small portion of the tarp into the clip. Once you have the material in the clip you just pull it closed and it holds. It holds very well too because like I said, I have tested them i the winds and the rain and have not experienced a failure yet...sabre11004 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#91872 - 03/05/08 04:32 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
Spock Offline
member

Registered: 01/10/06
Posts: 679
Loc: Central Texas
Forget grommets. They always weaken the fabric. Sooner or later they fail. Use loops. Silnylon itself makes a good loop - or use cheap polyester grossgrain ribbon from the nearest fabric strore. Anything but grommets. Really.


Edited by Spock (03/05/08 04:33 PM)

Top
#91873 - 03/05/08 07:22 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
Instead of grommets I used a faucet washer , put in on the tarp and wraped tie out lines around it. No holes etc. you could use a small stone etc.
_________________________
Enjoy your next trip...

Top
#91874 - 03/05/08 08:28 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
speyguy Offline
member

Registered: 04/11/06
Posts: 35
Loc: Portland, OR
Another vote for grosgrain ribbon. Have you seen the Henry Shires tarp instructions ? They show the technique and are a big help. Mine came out like this . I would stay away from the grommets for the reasons already mentioned.

Top
#91875 - 03/06/08 07:07 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: speyguy]
pennys Offline


Registered: 12/31/01
Posts: 2842
Loc: Washington
There are different types and weights of the grosgrain. Be sure and get the beefier nylon type and not the dressmaker type that is sold on the notions wall.
_________________________
tips for making gear

Top
#91876 - 03/06/08 07:46 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: pennys]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
When I made my tarps an poncho shelter, I told the nice lady at OWF what I was doing and she made sure I got the right stuff. Grosgrain is cheap and handy stuff. Buy a bulk supply...you'll use it.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

Top
#91877 - 03/06/08 07:59 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: Dryer]
speyguy Offline
member

Registered: 04/11/06
Posts: 35
Loc: Portland, OR
Yes, I forgot to mention the different types of grosgrain. I believe the stuff sold at most fabric stores is polyester? I ordered the nylon stuff online.

Top
#91878 - 03/06/08 06:55 PM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: sabre11004]
EricKingston Offline
member

Registered: 11/01/02
Posts: 272
Loc: Michigan
I can attest to trying grommets in silnylon, and it's just not a good idea. The stuff is so slippery, that whatever little bit of fabric gets cinched within the two grommet pieces just slides right out. So the grommet basically falls out with the slightest tug, and you're left with a hole in your silnylon. Not good! Just use crossgrain - it's pretty easy.

Eric

Top
#91879 - 03/07/08 05:36 AM Re: Making a silnylon tarp [Re: pennys]
Kate Offline
member

Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 45
Loc: On top of the North Downs, UK
They do work perfectly in some fabrics. I've replaced metal grommets with hand stitched eyelets in cotton tents and not had them fail thereafter. The reason they don't use them commercially is time: you need to pay about £25 per hour for handwork like this, and you can really only do about 4 an hour... Compared with banging in grommets by machine... Well, you can see the difference! Some sailmakers making canvas sails for things like period accurate tall ships and Thames barges DO make the eyelets by hand. So do some of the re-enactment tent makers. After all, if they worked well for hundreds of years, they will still work well today. But it is a level of insanity that not all aspire to! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Handworking eyelts in modern artificial fibres is a complete pain in the posterior, and that is one area where I'd go for the plastic ones set in 2-3 layers of the fabric, probably glued together with seam sealant for added strength. Either that or the stitched in tape loops... Depends on the abrasion characteristics, really...
_________________________
Kate XXXXXX
Mad sewing witch!
http://www.katedicey.co.uk

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
MSR Recall
by balzaccom
02/24/24 11:13 AM
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Yosemite Winter Rangers
by balzaccom
12/21/23 09:35 AM
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 55 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum