Tipi Build

[Tbob]

Wow! You guys take this stuff to a whole new level!! I thought about doing a project like a tipi, but after seeing your guys's drawing and technical terms I'm thinking maybe not?.. I was just going to cut a bunch of big triangles, sew them together and see how she goes.. But like I said, I'm at like a 3rd grade level compaired to you guys..

[Wanttohuntmore]

I keep adding up the prices of the material and it seems too high.  There has to be some cheaper material sources.  18yrs ago I built a bivy (goretex and sil nylon).  It was about $70 then, and that was with surplus goretex from the military.

[Tbob]

Okay, so giving this some thought... Have any of you tried making a tipi out of just one piece of silnylon? I made a couple different "prototypes out of 8.5x11 paper. I made two different archs and came up with one that is a good height and has much more floor space than the other.. Is there a reason this wouldn't work? I don't know how to sew and thought this might make things a little easier for me to try and make. I thought I could just hem the bottom all the way around and put in some reinforced nylon webbing along the bottom for staking it out and maybe add a zipper for a door or even just add an extra flap to cover for a door.. Any thoughts on this before I go and blow a bunch of money on materials? I added a few pix of my paper prototypes..

[kentrek]

Just a guess...but I'd think the seems act as kind of a reinforcement against stretching....Prolly really depends on the material you use

[Jonathan_S]

Just a guess...but I'd think the seems act as kind of a reinforcement against stretching....Prolly really depends on the material you use

A single piece of material like that would be ideal. However, it would only end up 3' tall because nobody manufactures anything that wide 

And you are correct, with a stretchy material like silnylon, having double or triple stitched seams really gives a solid "line" to pitch with.

[jasnt]

Putting this thing to the test. Think I figured out how to go poleless too. Learned how to set it up in the dark. More I use it the more I like it. I think I will need about 12" more zipper.  Got a few improvement ideas for ya as well. Love this teepee

[Jonathan_S]

 

[luvmystang67]

Just a guess...but I'd think the seems act as kind of a reinforcement against stretching....Prolly really depends on the material you use

A single piece of material like that would be ideal. However, it would only end up 3' tall because nobody manufactures anything that wide 

And you are correct, with a stretchy material like silnylon, having double or triple stitched seams really gives a solid "line" to pitch with.

I did consider doing a tapered spiral with a single continuous stitch, but I thought it would be difficult to guy out and would create areas of slack on the tent.  You would use nearly 100% of your material that way... except the little you cut off on the bottom.  I just don't think it would make a lot of practical sense in use.  Plus the water might sit on the seams when it rains.

[Jonathan_S]

Just a guess...but I'd think the seems act as kind of a reinforcement against stretching....Prolly really depends on the material you use

A single piece of material like that would be ideal. However, it would only end up 3' tall because nobody manufactures anything that wide 

And you are correct, with a stretchy material like silnylon, having double or triple stitched seams really gives a solid "line" to pitch with.

I did consider doing a tapered spiral with a single continuous stitch, but I thought it would be difficult to guy out and would create areas of slack on the tent.  You would use nearly 100% of your material that way... except the little you cut off on the bottom.  I just don't think it would make a lot of practical sense in use.  Plus the water might sit on the seams when it rains.

Good luck sewing that.  you'd have a monster pile of material trying to sneak back under the needle.

[Fl0und3rz]

Any more lessons learned or thoughts on how you'd do things differently or better, Jonathan_S?

I am deciding between a seek outside 6 man or giving it a try sewing my own in the next month or two, and I have been watching a ton of sewing videos. 

[Fl0und3rz]

Good info on tie outs, bindings, and seams.

http://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/sewing-tips/

[huntingbaldguy]

I've been trying to come up with an ultralight portable blind idea after having 2 blinds stolen in 2 years.  How loud is silnylon in wind and rain?

Did you tape the seams on the whole thing?  Maybe you already answered that.  Your teepee is looking really good, i've always wanted one.

[Special T]

Would one of those be a lot easier to sew up on a quilting machine?

[Jonathan_S]

Any more lessons learned or thoughts on how you'd do things differently or better, Jonathan_S?

I am deciding between a seek outside 6 man or giving it a try sewing my own in the next month or two, and I have been watching a ton of sewing videos.

Yes I have flip flopped on silpoly vs silnylon. Silnylon holds up so much better in the wind

[luvmystang67]

Any more lessons learned or thoughts on how you'd do things differently or better, Jonathan_S?

I am deciding between a seek outside 6 man or giving it a try sewing my own in the next month or two, and I have been watching a ton of sewing videos.

Yes I have flip flopped on silpoly vs silnylon. Silnylon holds up so much better in the wind

I had kind of decided on Sil Poly, can you elaborate on the SilNylon choice?  I was hoping to avoid "wet stretch".  Do you have any recommendations on which mmHg rating will be adequate for single wall in the NW?  I know a lot of people think 1200 is sufficient, but I really want to be at 2000+ I think... Thoughts?