I have recently discovered the joys of making my own gear; and just started making a tarp. Now I am looking forward to the next project, I would like to make a tent / tarp and want to try and do it with out a million guy lines. What I’m looking for (and having a hard time doing it) are tent pole clips. Plastic clips that will attach the tent fabric to the tent poles. Many tent manufactures make these but none will sell them individually. Does anyone know where I can find these?
Thank you for your time and any ideas as to where I can find these will be greatly appreciated.
Sierra Designs has grip clips, a set of 4 for about $12. There is a ring and center disk part that clamps the fabric. Attached to the disk is a clip that fits around a pole. paulj
I did contact Sierra Designs; they told me that they do not sell their "tent clips" individually. I was hoping for a manufacturer that actually made and sold the plastic or nylon tent clips so that I could incorporate them into a tent / tarp design and make a few of them for friends and family. I would be looking to buy more than just what I would need for one tent, I’d say around 20-30 clips.
Thank you all though for the direction, and please keep any ideas coming!
From experience, it appears that no-one makes an aftermarket pole clip for the hobbiest builder, at least not available in the States. With 99+% of the tent manufacture being done overseas, most of that specialty small hardware like that never makes it to the states. There probably just isn't the demand for it, other wise you would folks like Quest or OWF carrying them.
You could try contacting DAC or Yunan to see if you could buy some of their clips (I don't believe Easton makes any of their own pole clips). The problem might be that they would want you to buy a case, which may mean a few thousand clips. A small side business perhaps?
Thank you for the reply. I was going to start contacting manufacturers next, good call! But a case of a few thousand clips??? WoW! I would do it if there was the demand, anyone out there want Tent Clips? Just let me know. Lol
Registered: 04/06/06
Posts: 290
Loc: New York / Istanbul
I'll get you an answer next week from the trade show.
While the other poster is correct that there isn't much manufacturing over here, most of the parts do exist here and are available for prototyping purposes for manufacturers. I don't think that DAC or Easton makes the actal parts though...
They may not make you buy a case, but I just wanted to prepare you for what you might face. Just part of the fun of MYOG!
As an alternative, you could do short sleeves instead of pole clips. Just use a loop of webbing/ grosgrain, or create a loop out of doubled over fabric (helps use up the waste). Big Agnes did the fabric loops on their Seedhouse SL's a few seasons ago and it seemed to work OK (or at least I didn't hear any complaints). You would lose some of the convenience of pole clips, but would still save over full sleeves.
They may not manufacture them, but I know DAC at least brands their own clip, the Twist Clip, as it is highlighted on Big Agnes' website for the Emerald Mountain tents. I thought Yunan did as well but I couldn't find any mention of it.
This is the type of clip that is included in the SD grip clip set, but they will end up costing $3 each.
Still for one tent they could be worth it, especially if you want to experiment with the placement of the clips, or have other uses for the 'grip clip' part.
But you can get the 'grip clip' part in bulk from these people: http://www.shelter-systems.com/gripclips/products.html Their black size (20 for $25) is the same as what SD uses. This black light weight size has a slot that takes webbing (as with the SD product), but other grip clip sizes have two small holes that take a knoted string.
Thank you very muchfor the info, I have visited those sites and both have "almost" what I'm looking for. I just wish that a company sold clips that are similar to the ones found on most major tents today. They must have either patents or tent manufacturers have companies who make these clips exclusively for them.
I can’t afford to have a plastic company prototype one for me, those costs plus tooling fees and the sheer volume of clips you would have to buy would exceed thousands of dollars; unless there was a huge market in the MYOG world that wanted or would use these tent clips, I couldn't see doing that.
They manufacture plastic parts for use in camping equiptment. The link will take you to a sample order page that will allow you to order up to 5 parts for FREE!!!
I hope that this leads you to what you are looking for.
Good Luck,
Todd Heyn
_________________________ "Not all who wander are lost." -J. R. R. Tolkien
The white grip clips are labeled: Shelter Systems, pat no 4308647 The black ones (from both sources) add Sierra Designs (same pat no) The hook part, that you are interested in, just has 'SD' molded on it. The clip and hook are joined with a 1 1/2" loop of 1/2" ribbon.
The patent for the plug/collar part dates from about 1980. The idea for a pole clip probably wasn't patented (too obvious), though specific shapes can get a 'design patent'. I don't find anything of this sort for Sierra Designs.
Keep in mind that the pole hook is designed to fit a specific diameter of pole. Ideally the opening is a bit smaller than the diameter, so it has to flex when you attach it. The clips on my Kelty Zen tent are designed for the same size pole, but are quite as beefy.
What it comes down to, is that there isn't much of a consumer level demand for this product. People sew clothes, packs, and tarps, but few try to make a full blown tent.
Here's a different idea - sew the same 1/2 webbing to the tent, but use small center or side release buckle. You might be able find something small enough under the pet collar or bicycle helmet hardware sections. Some tents use buckles like this to secure unzipped tent doors. Door flaps are also secured with webbing ties, or ball and loop.
Out of the box thinking is what is going to solve this little problem. I was suggesting plastic because of the weight factor. Also I would think that a metal product would damage the tent / tarp material while in a stuff sac and possiblly the poles. I have thought about the small aluminum D-rings before. They would work but not like it was a clip specifically designed for the tent poles and that is what I'm trying to find; tent pole clips specifically designed for tent poles. I really appreciate the help, and any further sugestions are always welcome.
Look what I found!!!!!!!!!! National Moulding makes Tent Hooks(as they call them) and stoppers that may also be able to be used. BUT!!!! They only sell thru distributors. Now to find a distrinutor who stocks or can get them.
I have called every major distributor (for the west coast) that Duraflex lists on their website; no one carries them or is even willing to order them without getting 5000 or so. I guess that they are made in the Duraflex China plant, and are difficult to come by. Go figure! I am starting to think that I will never find these “tent pole clips” that have eluded us all, and will have to go with a different option. I was hoping that the combined brain power on this forum would be able to pull a rabbit out of it hat.
The big dissadvantage of sleeves seems to be you would need to be exact and very few DIY'ers have CAD experience. I can think of a simple way to give yourself more trial and error without hurting your tent. Sew a small strip of fabric in the tent seam and then sew the sleeve to this strip. That way you can sew and resew the sleeve to the strip and not put holes in your tent body. Sew a very short webbing loop to the seam and then use paracord to make the loop that secures the pole. Paracord can be tied and retied to the correct length. Another idea. Use the paracord to loop over the tent pole and secure it with a button type closer. If I were to personally do it, the sleeve and paracord/button idea would seem to be best. Or scrap an old tent and use those. TB
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I had superhuman powers, but my therapist took them away.
I have thought of similar ways to attach the tent poles to the tent. I know for sure that I do not want to use sleeves. I have thought of really small (like 3/8 inch) buckles and grossgrain ribbon to attach the poles. I also found a company in Finland that sells the tent pole clips at about .50 cents. So far that’s the best I can do.
Anyone else have an idea where to get actual tent clips???? I can’t believe they are so hard to find.
Dealt with the same problem a few years ago and dead ended in my search for what I wanted. I came up with a few alternatives, however, for your consideration
(1) Quick Realease Buckles come in 5/8" size and are very light (about 1/5 ounce each). I tie one side of the buckle to the tent pole and the other is connected to the tent with lightweight 1/2" nylon webbing.
(2) I found some S shaped nylon connectors for hanging Christmas Tree Lights. They just happen to grip the most popular sized poles. Can't tell you where to get them. They were on an after Christmas sale table.
(3) Stan Sport sells pole hooks that fit poles of about 1/2" diameter. They usually are on the racks in sporting goods stores that have firestarters, toilet paper, small salt and pepper shakers, etc. for camping.
(4) Kitebuilder.com has many pieces of hardware for kites. They typically fit carbon fiber tubing that is about the size of popular tent poles. The father of the owner of the store will make custom made fittings and people on the discussion forum say he doesn't charge much. Haven't tried him myself.
(5) Lowes has a great section with many nylon parts. You might want to run through all of their drawers and see if something will work.
(6) Seattle Fabric sells several types of nylon snap hooks. You may find one that is strong enough. If you clip off the retainer portion it will be easier to put it on and off the pole.
(7) Hooks can easily be made by bending wire. I like 1/8" aluminum wire but it is hard to find. It is wide enough so the ends aren't sharp if you sand them. Sharp ends can also be covered with plastic tubing or dipped in that stuff you buy to add vynal grips to tools like pliars.
Dang if this here is'nt what I was just looking for the other day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Too bad you have to buy a case of 5000 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> to get 'em! Thrity Outfitters up in Mnpls MN might have them though <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
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PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
Not sure if these nylon hooks have been mentioned. On the 4mm size the diameter of both the hook hole and the through hole are approximatley .375". There is another 4mm hole (just visible in the picture) at right angles to the through hole. They weigh about 4gm each.
I've had the problem of pole clips breaking in cold weather conditions. I' <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />ve looked for replacements to no avail . I just end up keeping a small cache of plastic zip ties in my pack .
I don't see why you couldn't use the same ribbon and instead of attaching something to it, just come off the stitch and make a "loop" that the pole diameter would fit through. That seems to me the simplest way to get it done and not to mention that weight you would save leaving off the buckles or whatever...Hope that helps...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="" />
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The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!
I checked thrifty outfitters/midwest mountaineering in person about a week ago (august 2010). they do not have the tent pole clips. they do have some plastic hooks with a little safety latch (similar to a carabiner) but its not the elusive tent pole clips that everyone is looking for.
Registered: 01/10/06
Posts: 679
Loc: Central Texas
You might consider ditching the plastic clips and using toggles and loops instead. Lighter and more compact, depending on what you make the toggles out of. Simple 3/8" wooden dowels would work, or you could get fancy with aluminum or carbon arrow shafting from cheap sporting goods arrows. A glob of epoxy putty on the ends will prevent damage to the tent fabric. Toggles don't have to be round. Elongated diamonds of any suitable flat material (hobby plywood?) will work as well.
Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1228
Loc: Eastern MA, USA
A couple of suggestions, re: using arrow shafts for parts. 1) Consider picking up broken arrows from a local archery range. (Get permission, first, of course.) That should be cheaper than buying them. 2) Use some caution when cutting carbon arrows. Inhaling carbon dust is bad news.
I often switch to google.co.uk or.au when I am searching for items in the net because of the US filters... now if only I could find the DAC Ball Clips.. the jakes feet might work but id have to modify them.
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