How many people have DIY hammocks/bugnets/UQs etc..?

[MikeWilkinson]

I'm in the process of designing/planning a UQ for my hammock set up and after doing a little reading through the many posts on here began to wonder how many people have made kit themselves and what did they prefer?

I have a DIY Hammock made from breathable coated ripstop nylon that I got off of Ebay. It is a twin layered gathered end/whipped hammock - pretty simple but wider than most commercial ones and a little bit longer to allow for a better diagonal lay.

I've also use a DIY bugnet made from an old 4 point net that I had in the garage. It is white which is a little annoying and so I'm about to make a new black one from Power netting ( the stuff used to make tights and stretchy pannels in womens clothing). Again it is pretty simple, has shock cord around two openings that sit at either end of the hammock and shock cord around the bottom where it pulls over the hammock.

Still planning my UQ, but thinking of putting 250g of 700 fill down into a pertex shell. Unless I can find something cheaper.

Here is a quick pic of the two setup. (note: this isn't how I would set up to sleep, just quickly put up for photo)

4614

[jus_young]

I have been playing with different ideas for a while now, when time and swmbo allows. The DIY hammocks have worked out pretty well and the kids love them although I would prefer a wider version when I get my hands on some material to allow that better diagonal lay as you mentioned. The underquilt has proved to be a great success and has kept me warm at freezing temperatures, its just a shame that the budget sleeping bag donor didn't come in a better colour really.

I am working on a ripstop tarp at the moment that is cut longer than the DD 3x3 to allow the ends to be closed off better, and is cut slightly narrower at about 2.5m (two lengths sewn together). This should give an adequate shelter but weigh significantly less than the DD and half of the bulk. Should be finished soon and then its time to test.

Work in the pipeline...
I have been working on designs and initial structures for a down underquilt but I am finding it impossible to get a UK supplier for the down itself. I have contacted numerous companies and not had a single reply either way which is damned annoying. I have had some interest from other parties on this one so I really need to get this going but it looks like I will have to source the down from across the water unless someone can point me in the right direction... The reason for the down UQ is bulk again. The synthetic one works great, does not really weigh that much but in my obsession to reduce weight and bulk, the down UQ will help a lot. Then there is the bug net which should be quite simple...

I do like the DIY gear as it has been designed and made for what I need. Ultimately I would like to get everything for a week away tree dwelling, food and equipment, in the Osprey Exos 46L with nothing strapped to the outside. I'm close but just need to do a little more to get there.

Just need the time to do it all now.

[Silverback]

I have a bugnet made out of an ex army cot net and i suspend it simply from below my tarp using 2 thin & very lightweight tent pole sections from a one man tent as net spreaders

I have 2 UQ's one is made from an old square sleeping bag (theres a thread on here somwhere) and i have just replaced that with an UQ made from a US wet weather poncho liner nice and simple mods.

SWMBO has just bought herself a fancy sewing machine so Im hoping to get to use it soon.....

[ian c]

I still have a hammock that i made whilst in Afghan out of a a unservicable cargo parachute so its quite heavy (good job had a veh to carry it) have not used it since i got a lighter hammock.

[CanadianMike]

Hey Ian, check out what I did with that basha you gave me:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/579351_10150903612994207_2114278275_n.jpg