diy backpacking/hunting gear?

[syoungs]

Anyone into making their own gear? I purchased the girlfriend a sewing machine last night, and pickup up a couple yards of 1.9oz ripstop, never sewn a thing in my life, but figured out how to make some stuff sacks for a couple of my sleeping bags that were lacking them.

Im going to keep practicing and making smaller items, then move up to a tipi or possibly making myself a hammock.

[ELKBURGER]

I think that is a great idea. I used to sew up a few things years ago but would like to get back into it. I wouldn't know how to thread the bobbin now. You can make custom stuff and its cheaper than buying new. Good luck with it and post some pics of your creations

[syoungs]

No pictures for now, I butcherd my stuff sacks when I was sewing the button holes, well one turned out, but its not as I had imagined it lol, the only ripstop I can find locally is 9$ a yard, need to order up a bunch of 2nds and get some practice in before I try anything bigger.

[ELKBURGER]

Yeah, play around on small scraps to get the feel of it. I need to do the same with welding

[rosscrazyelk]

I have been wanting to make my own stuff for years. Just never able to find the time

[syoungs]

how do you plan on sewing that canvas for the wall tent? I figured the same thing on the 7$ replacement warrenty they offered when I picked up my "thread injector", (to sissy calling it a sewing machine)

[syoungs]

If I had a heavy duty machine I would try my hand at a wall tet for sure.

[acnewman55]

If you're serious, here's the community you need to source from:

https://www.backpackinglight.com

requires a membership.  i think it's $25/year or something.  but these are the ultra-light gurus and a lot of them make their own gear. the site publishes a lot of articles and reviews on backpacking gear, and it's all super or ultra light class stuff.  a lot of it would be very useful for the hunter trying to shave ounces or save $$$

just be aware, some of these guys are hard-core ultra-light. it can get obnoxious.

[syoungs]

that site is what inspired me to start, A guy I worked with a few months back was on it and showing me some stuff, it is full of great info, but for my skill level theres lots of articles online that are still over my head at this point lol.

when guys start talking about shaving ounces I get slightly annoyed, when they are talking in GRAMS it just pushes me over the edge.

then again at 6'4 and well over 300# a few extra grams could stand to be lost 

[acnewman55]

Coming from a backpacking background instead of a hunting background, I'm always surprised by some of the unnecessary excess weight that hunters seem to carry.  Way too much ammo or example - if you can't kill your target with 4 rounds, you probably shouldn't be shooting 

But I'm with ya when it comes to counting grams.  It's a little too much sometimes.

As far as shedding a few pounds off the gut... That's the cheapest way to shave ounces!  You can upgrade your tent or your sleeping bag or your tripod to a lighter model and pay hundreds of dollars... Or you could eat more vegetables and fewer snacks and shave 5 lbs off without lightening your wallet 

Good luck with making your own gear though - I'm not really at the point where I'm tempted to start doing that, but I'm curious to see how it works out for you! 

[syoungs]

yeah its more of a hobby thing for me to try and make my own, I get a pretty good sense of satisfaction to make something that most people assume need to be bought at a store to be functional.

about the ammo though, if your out walking the woods with only 4 rounds and a zombie outbreak happens, or you get lost and have to live off the land for the next 15 years, your gonna be sorry you didnt have at least 3 full boxes, sometimes more if you packing multiple grain weights!

[syoungs]

PLUS, learning to sew has already saved me a bunch of money, I had 2 sleeping bags that needed repair, one with a tear where the zipper seperated from about 18" of the bag, and one that had a rip about 10" long right across the mid section of it. both are fixed up now and back in service 

[huntnnw]

screw the 4 rd logic...never know what can happen. Im in grizz territory...pretty easy to take 2 shots at animal..finishing or etc...left with 2 and still gotta pack and cut up your game..no thanks

[acnewman55]

4, 8, 10.  I've seen some guys post that they take 2 boxes of ammo out with them.

Point is cutting weight is about tradeoffs.

You carry more ammo weight so you can feel better about packing out your kill in bear country.  Same with carrying a sidearm.  If that makes you feel comfortable in the woods, more power to ya.

Anyways, that's not what this post was about to begin with.