Anyone dabbled in Make-Your-Own-Gear ?

[freiston]

I made my own tent


and gas stove


both are still in use

That's impressive!

[Vorpal]

I made my own tent

Did you have a pattern for constructing it?

[Scunnered]

I made my own tent

Did you have a pattern for constructing it?

I made the pattern too. First I made some drawings and calculated various lengths. Then I made a full size frame out of wood and tacked plastic sheet to the frame. The plastic sheet was marked, removed and cut to shape and became the pattern. The only flaw was that this did not account for the stretch in thin si-nylon so some "adjustments" were required!

[1982john]

That tent looks epic. I have been tempted to get some DCF to try a tarptent like construction but the stuffs so expensive it went wrong it be quite a waste.

What was the purpose of doing a stove? that would never occur to me?

[Scunnered]

What was the purpose of doing a stove? that would never occur to me?

I wanted a combination of features not available on a comercial stove. And I like a challenge
The unique feature not obvious from the photo is that it can be connected to either screw threaded canisters or CampinGaz canisters (no additional adaptor required).

Current project: lightweight solar power bank. I must have a chronic "condition"

[Gattonero]

Interestingly, some people seem to be often concerned about the environment and recycling, but would easily close an eye when it's about saving money. Oh, save save save. Nevermind if that comes at the cost of questionable ways of producing the raw materials, and the ethics about the workforce employed to produce and to distribute and sell

Making your own gear can often imply the use of recycled products and upcycled tooling, i.e. putting back to work a sewing machine that someone else will put in the bin

I've done a lot of mods on existing stuff, and made things right from scratch. It's a lot more rewarding than just opening the wallet, even if it was only to pay a tenner.

[foxyrider]

What was the purpose of doing a stove? that would never occur to me?

I wanted a combination of features not available on a comercial stove. And I like a challenge
The unique feature not obvious from the photo is that it can be connected to either screw threaded canisters or CampinGaz canisters (no additional adaptor required).

Current project: lightweight solar power bank. I must have a chronic "condition"

Now that I really would like to see

[Vantage]

Has anyone ever shortened a down sleeping bag?
I'm about 5'5" and the 6' bag leaves a fair bit of room at the bottom.
My thinking is that it'll save a couple grams and some space, both in the pannier and in the tent.

[Graham O]

I've not shortened a down bag, but have done a couple of synthetics. I have re-stuffed a down bag and it can make a lot of mess; if you aren't careful, you will be finding down around the house for weeks.
When I re-stuffed a bag, I put everything inside a large poly bag and did all the manipulation and stuffing in that. I then took it out for final sewing. The great advantage of shortening a bag is that you can use the excess down to increase the insulation around your feet if you wish.

[PH]

I made my own tent

Impressed, I've thought about making my own, though I'd go for a simpler straight panel design like a ridge or pyramid.

The only flaw was that this did not account for the stretch in thin si-nylon so some "adjustments" were required!

I've replaced a couple of zips and a groundsheet, it's slippery stuff to sew, I suspect manufacturers use walking foot machines so the needle stays in as the cloth moves through.

[Scunnered]

Now that I really would like to see

This?

[foxyrider]

Now that I really would like to see

This?

Nice though that is I was meaning the power bank

[Scunnered]

Nice though that is I was meaning the power bank

Still very much a work in progress. I initially I had planned to use a single 2W solar panel:

and I made this circuit for it:

but now I have decided more power would be better, so I will use two panels which will open and close like a book.
I am currently making a new circuit to handle the extra power.

[Angstrom]

John,

If you, or anyone else, needs any help or pointers with fabric suppliers, designing etc John feel free to ask.

Yes, I'd like to sew some classic design paniers out of cotton duck cloth.
Where could I buy it?

Thank you?

[Scunnered]

Yes, I'd like to sew some classic design paniers out of cotton duck cloth.
Where could I buy it?

The best place for fabrics and other diy stuff is https://www.extremtextil.de/en