ideas for DIY that do not require sewing

hi guys,

i'm new to DIY. I got into it because i started wanting a hammock but wanted a more personalized set-up. anyway, i'm looking for some really cool and useful things that i can make at home that do not require the use of a sewing machine. a small amount of hand sewing is o.k. i'v been camping and involved in scouts for a long time so i almost have everything one could want but i want to make cool personalized stuff.

-backcountrybart

You can start here for some cool ideas.

Where do you do most of your camping?

We're working on a post for our blog about this kind of thing, We've made a pot cozy out of an old sleeping pad that FINALLY allows us to eat hot dinners in the backcountry...

AMazing what you can do with close-cell foam, a knife, and some duct tape!

I'm working on a taptent like design with some bug net tyveck tape, contact cement, and a little oragami !

Some items that can be made with no or minimal sewing-

As already mentioned, check the DIY section of this site, glued tarps/tents, and pot cozies.

Hammocks-Google Risk's site.

Stoves: Alcohol, Esbit, wood.

Windscreens

DIY pot from cans

Stakes, knives, utensils, trowels

Fleece poncho or blanket (Fleece doesn't fray, so edges need not be finished)

My first MYOG project was Cuben fiber stuff sacks. Very easy to do with two sided tape. Then I went on to make rain jacket and rain kilt also bonded though the jacket did require a little sewing for the zippers.

Hey Zippy, welcome to the forums!

I finally got to see cuben fiber for the first time last year. A woman who was camping near me had a tarp made from it. I didn't mess with it much, but I felt it and checked out her set up pretty good. It is impressively light, and she said it worked good for a tarp for her.

It looked pretty delicate to me. I didn't get to poke at it or stretch it or anything, but it didn't look like it was strong. How have your stuff sacks held up?

There's a way to make a set of lightweight camp slippers out of a cheap sleeping pad. I'll see if I can find it.

I was quite impressed by the ideas in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgCUc_aUn...mp;feature=plcp

This is a hammock specific tarp, but the same techniques and materials can be used for flat tarps and shaped tarp shelters (hexamid type eg). Use plastic drop cloth LDPE or polychryo and reinforced mail strapping tape or high test (2120?) 3M duct tape as the stres line reinforcement. There are multiple examples on you tube if you look carefully. Many people use Tyvec and tyvek tape.

Thanks for the welcome Bill. I have been a regular over at Backpacking Light where I saw something mentioned about this forum. Thought I would come see what's happening here. I like what I see so far. It seems pretty positive here. I like that.

Now about Cuben. I continue to add Cuben pieces to my set up.I Have have been very happy with the durability of the items I use. I haven't had to repair anything yet but it is very easy to repair even if out in the backcountry. It is certainly less fragile than it looks and feels.

I should add. I have been using the stuff sacks for about 500 miles with no special treatment. They are all in great shape still. I'm expecting most of them will last through my upcoming AT hike too.

A PLTQ = poncho liner top quilt. PLUQ (under quilt for hammock) can also be made.

Poncho liners can be found at army/navy surplus stores for around 20 - 30 bucks.

I cut mine and did in fact sew grosgain around the edge because it is rather larger than my needs (I am a small dude at 5'6") and I wanted to save weight, but you don't have to.

There are strings around the perimeter, tie the bottom strings together till about 24" from the bottom to form a foot box. walla, a top quilt good to around 40 degrees pending on if you are a warm or cold sleeper. 40 has been good for me thus far.

To extend my 40 degree down bag (really nice bag, but I just don't have the cash to buy new "nice" bags for each temp range) with either/and liner, and a poncho liner (from my Army days). The poncho liner serves multiple purposes for both the trail and car camping. It's a nice, versatile implement. Used alone in summer it makes a good loose throw for cool evenings. I like the fact that it is big enough to fold over into a complete sleeping bag.

Here's one:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/...thread_id=73514

I was just reading that one DJ over at BPL. You look very stylish. That fish net should come in handy on the strip. Great idea though. Make sure to report how it works out.

I know this is a diversion, but the fishnet being "as warm as a solid fabric" is sure interesting. I can see how that would work. It should keep the cold windproof shell off of your skin, and trap the air next to your skin, where it should warm up.

That's a pretty darn brilliant way to reduce the weight and volume of clothing. I've got to try that out.

Thanks for sharing that!

I remember the fishnet style baselayer was quite popular in the 70's for that very reason. I do believe we used cotton too.

After reading the thread on the sleeping pad jacket (which is pretty cool too) and then the comment on the fishnet, I got to wondering about how you might make a thicker layer that would allow for more airspace. More airspace (to a point) should make it warmer. A loosely crocheted "Afghan" type layer came to mind, or maybe fleece with holes punched in it.

So you have a rain/wind proof outer shell, with an thick airspace layer, and the fishnet as in inner layer. That ought to be warm, light, breathable, fast drying and fairly compressible.

I might have to play with this concept a bit. It's just too easy not to.

Bill,

I agree with your thoughts. I made some wool fishnet out of a sweater that had big gaps between the yarn and the yarn was very thick. I liked it.

Perhaps another way to experiment would be to try wearing two fishnet tops at the same time?