I've been heading into the BWCA now for the past couple years and lately I've been looking at how some DIY projects might make the next trip a little easier or more fun. By buddy and I found the neat camp chair idea with the 3' x 5' piece of fabric and 3 larger sticks but I was wondering what the rest of you have done. Any good BWCA related DIY projects out there?

The 'wilderness' or coffee sack chair was gonna be my addition until I read the last of your post. DIY's ???...... just some improvising off the top of my head. Most learned on here.

Basketball net for anchor.
Gamma seal lids to seal plastic bucket (for food)
tennis ball for center tarp pole
clips off of pocket ID badges for clothespins
tyvek house wrap for tent groundsheet/tarp

That's all that comes to mind right now, but do a site search here for 'improvised', homemade, do-it-yourself....a few old threads should pop up.

Built this toboggan this past off season.

In action about a month ago.

Net bag, rope, and bobber to chill wine in plastic!

quote TuscaroraBorealis: " Built this toboggan this past off season.


In action about a month ago."

Very nice!

When I read the title to this topic I immediately thought of the super clever camp chairs recently discussed. And lo and behold they are the standard. I want a link to that thread here because that is the best idea and it is the gold standard. I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THOSE CHAIRS!!!! The first time I read about them I thought it might be the key to avoiding back pain while tripping but it was to far from launch to pursue but now I am ready to try them out in the woods near home.
Primitiveman

Portage yoke pads

We use a five gallon pickle bucket with a lid to haul in our bread and reels. Protects them nicely. After we get to base camp we assemble poles and reels and place bread with rest of food safely in tree pack. The bucket is then used as a wind sock or drag if you will. We tie off the bucket with about 20' of rope and lash to canoe. Let bucket fill with water and it helps in windy weather to troll with. Works great.

quote Primitiveman: "When I read the title to this topic I immediately thought of the super clever camp chairs recently discussed. And lo and behold they are the standard. I want a link to that thread here because that is the best idea and it is the gold standard. I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THOSE CHAIRS!!!! The first time I read about them I thought it might be the key to avoiding back pain while tripping but it was to far from launch to pursue but now I am ready to try them out in the woods near home.
Primitiveman"

Search 'wilderness chair'...it's a u-tube video ..or coffee sack chair. There was a thread in the gear forum in 2008, I think.

Built this a few years back haven't had a problem with it yet. Gravity fed water filter NEVER gonna pump water again.


JB

I use the bladders from boxed wine for water bladders. Have also made one into a bucket. Some use them as pillows. Also I've made some of my own stuff sacks. Have also made deadman for camping in snow and sand out of 6 inch pieces of broom handle or out of plastic coffee can lids and some paracord. Made my own caldera cone and several models of alky stoves.

quote jb in the wild:
Built this a few years back haven't had a problem with it yet. Gravity fed water filter NEVER gonna pump water again.
JB"

Where'd you get the straps/harness for the blue barrel pack? Was that a DIY job?

I have made a Paddle, a wilderness chair, a dragonfly stove flame muffler I call the dragon tamer, Basketball anchor bag, to name a few that comes to mind.

My homemade Sawyer filter system, basketball net anchor, and mount for my Vexilar mount are my favorite.

If I get time this spring, I'm going to see if I can also make a Dragon Tamer cap as well.

For those of you over 50, I've found that Metamucil cans make good food storage for flour, beans, candy, hot chocholate, loose stuff that needs a home. Packs well and is waterproof.

I made a slip cover for my Exped mat. It has cotton on one side, wool on the other and a fleece blanket sewn in. I hope to eliminate my sleeping bag, and just use this. The pump and valves are still easy to get to, and the whole thing is easy to wash when the trip is over. I leave the cover on the mat and just put it in a dry bag, so it all stays together.

I have also made the wilderness chair and 2 hammocks that pack about the size of a softball. These are the most sought after places to be in the afternoons in camp, they are seldom empty..

I have made a DIY table. I have a plastic box that was used to pick warehouse orders. It has hinges on the side. I cut a piece of thin plywood for a table top. It fits pretty well in my Kondos #4 pack. Nice to have a table to cook on under a tarp when it is raining or really blowing. It keeps things out of the muck.

My best would have to be my 38-special cedar strip canoe

Woods Walker Beautiful Canoe!!!!

quote Beaverjack: "For those of you over 50, I've found that Metamucil cans make good food storage for flour, beans, candy, hot chocholate, loose stuff that needs a home. Packs well and is waterproof."

Those are a good size. Add a rubber band around the neck, and I'll bet it's even more waterproof.

Here is a pot i picked up this year at goodwill. I put the wire handle on it and added the cork from some wine bottles for a handle. This pot should work great this year! The lid locks on and there are holes in the top for easy draining of water. The handle also rests in the up position so its easy to move and does not get hot. Made of aluminum, weighs .59 pounds. Who ever gave me the tip of going to resale shops for cookware, I thank you. The pot cost 1.99 and everything else was laying around in the garage. I am about to start a sewing project, an underquilt for my hammock, I just need to decide what type of fill i want to use for it.

quote schweady: "Portage yoke pads
"

Very nice! Well done instructions, schweady. Now I know what my next project will be!

I made sacks to organize the food pack out of used tyvek envelopes. I sewed a pocket for a drawstring. My kids decorated them and labeled them. We use one bag each for lunches, dinners, breakfasts, snacks, and toiletries, etc.

I drilled a small hole through the upper bow stem of my cedar strip, then epoxied in a brass tube, about 3/8" in diameter. I then placed a small fairlead (rope guide) along the undersides of the bow seat and yoke, and finally a cam cleat on the rear thwart. I can now run a rope through the front brass tube, the fairleads and back to the cam cleat. It makes anchoring the canoe an absolute breeze. The anchor when not in the water, sits up high, then when lowered it comes right off the bow so very little side to side swaying in the canoe. The best feature though is that you can anchor easily, when tandem or solo, and you never have to tie a knot on the other end. Just lift the rope up out of the cam cleat, let out as much line as you want, then lower it back down and it locks in place. A super easy system that works great. You can see the cam cleat in this pic, just to the right of my finder, and the rope going back towards the bow through the fairlead on the yoke.

I started DIYing and now cant seem to stop. I have started picking 1-2 projects every winter as somthing to do.

Ive made 2 "duluth" type portage packs, a canoe paddle/tent pole bag, 2 1.1 sil tarps (8*5 and 10*12), savages dragontamer, fillable ground anchors ( Anchors , really handy on sandbar river trips), liner bags for my single airmattresses, and a trailer for multiple canoes/yaks. This years project is portage pads in a couple of styles. Regular square ones and a rectangular soft bodied velcro one for my shaped Nova craft yoke.

Nice stuff... I've made a fishing twart similar to Moonman's, canoe paddles and cozies so far.

Some of my DIY projects include portage yokes for my knoo, a portable yoke for my kayak, a scissors style camp chair, several paddles, traditional snowshooz, cozies, and reflector ovens. Projects under consideration include a hammock under quilt from an old sleeping bag, portage packs from an old canvas tent, and a flexible camera tripod.

for basecamp style trip, I have used this table made from sheet aluminum and old timberline tent poles, works great.





And of course a JMO oven, good eats.

quote TomP: "I have made a DIY table. I have a plastic box that was used to pick warehouse orders. It has hinges on the side. I cut a piece of thin plywood for a table top. It fits pretty well in my Kondos #4 pack. Nice to have a table to cook on under a tarp when it is raining or really blowing. It keeps things out of the muck."

sounds neat. do you have a picture of it?

quote jb in the wild: "


Built this a few years back haven't had a problem with it yet. Gravity fed water filter NEVER gonna pump water again.



JB"

JB do you still have the instructions on how to build your water filter? I've been looking for something like this.

quote trs518: "JB do you still have the instructions on how to build your water filter? I've been looking for something like this."

I did something similar to JB's setup. I made mine based on his setup, and is essentially the same thing.

I used this sawyer water filter and the syringe that it comes with for back-flushing. Then I used a 2.5 gallon reliance water jug.

Next was some tubing from fleet farm, 7/16 OD x 5/16 ID to go from the jug down to the filter. (The tubing fits inside the reliance spout) Then another short piece of tubing that goes from the filter to a camelback valve .

As you see in JB's picture, the tube from the jug to the filter is much longer than the tube on the clean side of the filter. The longer the tube from jug to filter creates more head pressure and effects the flow rate.

Less than 50$ and a pretty good setup.

quote nojobro: "I made sacks to organize the food pack out of used tyvek envelopes. I sewed a pocket for a drawstring. My kids decorated them and labeled them. We use one bag each for lunches, dinners, breakfasts, snacks, and toiletries, etc.


"

Now thats one of the best DIY ideas yet!

I just did a similar project with a sawyer filter. I bought the bottle with the filter in it online for around $38. I bought a 3 liter hydration pouch/bladder with the tubing attached. I cut the tubing and just put it on the filter. Voila, a $50 gravity filter and it works great!!!

Those food sacks are awesome! What a great idea for inside a food pack.

I made a cold/wet bag basically the same way from a pair of old jeans. Cut one leg off, sewed one open end shut & flipped it inside out. Made a pocket along the rim for a piece of satin ribbon long enough to hang it, then added a leftover push button plastic cinch tie. Works great, toss it in the wash after a trip and its good as new.

pad and I made these for free!
We bring them with on all our trips. Lots of fun, and are able to carry stuff too!

quote sleepnbag: "pad and I made these for free!
We bring them with on all our trips. Lots of fun, and are able to carry stuff too!
"

Hahaha... Too funny!!!!!

I have a few of these in a larger size... they certainly do come in handy!

quote luft: "

quote sleepnbag: "pad and I made these for free!
We bring them with on all our trips. Lots of fun, and are able to carry stuff too!
"

Hahaha... Too funny!!!!!


I have a few of these in a larger size... they certainly do come in handy!"

Yes they do come in handy when they get bigger. But them Sherpa's need to EAT A LOT! My Sherpa is home for spring break and thinks that we should bring a couple along from his college fishing club this May. Wonder how much that is going to cost me.....

Grandpa found out that his grandson went to get registered for pre school next fall today. Now I feel old!

I built the yoke for my solo canoe. Probably saved $30.00 on the deal. I burned up what I saved on a good set of pads for it though.

quote sleepnbag: "pad and I made these for free!
We bring them with on all our trips. Lots of fun, and are able to carry stuff too!
"

That is the best DIY I have seen you win hands down.

good job.


JB

quote sleepnbag: "pad and I made these for free!
"

Made for free? Sure! But I have heard that the maintenance costs are high! That's why I have never invested!!

quote sleepnbag: "pad and I made these for free!
We bring them with on all our trips. Lots of fun, and are able to carry stuff too!
"

Free, sure, but the upkeep is killer.

Best DIY BWCA item was a block and tackle made from sailboat pulleys got off of Ebay. The pulleys had 1.25" wheels and used 1/4" rope. Works great for putting up our food packs.

I got this finnish fillet knife blade off northcoastknives.com, then bought the wood from a woodcraft website. I used stabilized redwood burl, stabilized coolibah burl, and thin mahogany for spacers. It took a bit longer than I had planned, but hopefully this fillet knife will stay with me for a while. I enjoyed the process, and I'm thinking about making a nice sturdy quality camp knife next time I get home from school.

quote wolfpack21: "I got this finnish fillet knife blade off northcoastknives.com, then bought the wood from a woodcraft website. I used stabilized redwood burl, stabilized coolibah burl, and thin mahogany for spacers. It took a bit longer than I had planned, but hopefully this fillet knife will stay with me for a while. I enjoyed the process, and I'm thinking about making a nice sturdy quality camp knife next time I get home from school.


"

Nice job on the knife handle. Love the grain of the wood.

quote OldFingers57: "

quote wolfpack21: "I got this finnish fillet knife blade off northcoastknives.com, then bought the wood from a woodcraft website. I used stabilized redwood burl, stabilized coolibah burl, and thin mahogany for spacers. It took a bit longer than I had planned, but hopefully this fillet knife will stay with me for a while. I enjoyed the process, and I'm thinking about making a nice sturdy quality camp knife next time I get home from school.

Nice job on the knife handle. Love the grain of the wood. "

Thanks OldFingers, I think it turned out pretty well. The best part is, it fits my hand like a glove.

WoodsWalker that is one nice boat, did you design it yourself?

Nice work!!

beautiful handle wolfpack.

Personal ditch kit, jello mold oven, tyvek ground cloth, Food bag ropes, utensil roll & and bedsheet sleeping bag liner

DIY Canoe Pack
I'm not suggesting anyone try this one...but I did like.

quote Jeemon: " DIY Canoe Pack
I'm not suggesting anyone try this one...but I did like."

Very nice.

blue barrel bags

Jello mold oven, b ball net anchor system with floating line and end of rope float, two pulley pack hanger, and of course the stay dry INNIE, lol.

quote Woods Walker: "My best would have to be my 38-special cedar strip canoe









"

Absolutely beautiful...jealous

Some of you folks are sure talented.

Thanks to savage for the chair...





and I made a trailer. Since this pic, my brother and I have added a new set of led lights, and wiring. We have now added wood strips to the tops of the cross bars as well. I can remove the rear rack, and use it to haul furniture, motorcycles, hunting gear etc. Love it. I've rented it out enough to cover my expenses, even though I put new axle, hubs, leaf springs etc into it. Couldn't be happier.







anchor bag, canoe-minnow trap, had to make a spatula out of a syrup container, used my canoe as a ladder to get up a tree (you can do that with a square back aluminum canoe), and a few poor attempts at a make shift sail on the way across sag.

I really like this DIY organizer thread.

Hi campcook, can you describe your slip cover a bit more?

I have looked at, and will probably buy, the Feathered Friends Condor system, complete with double slip-cover for 2 Exped mats, but although the bag and hoods are very nice (I have used them in the past), the slip cover doesn't float my boat.

Cotton/Wool--those are the two fabrics that I was thinking of (fine merino as the wool), the FF uses nylon with a fleece liner, I think. Is yours entirely reversible, such that you just turn it inside-out depending if you want the cotton or wool, or is it just 2-sided, so that you just spin it 180 degrees to change fabrics?

And where is the fleece blanket sewn? Over the whole surface?

For myself I was envisioning a slip cover that was half cotton and half merino, that I could spin 180 degrees depending if I wanted cool for summer or warm for fall/winter. I would have a perimeter zipper to connect to the Condor bag and hoods, and I would also probably make a light blanket of some sort to zip over the top in very warm conditions.

quote SourisMan: "

quote Beaverjack: "For those of you over 50, I've found that Metamucil cans make good food storage for flour, beans, candy, hot chocholate, loose stuff that needs a home. Packs well and is waterproof."

Those are a good size. Add a rubber band around the neck, and I'll bet it's even more waterproof."

3 pound coffee cab stick stove. I heat all dish and cleaning water with this stove. Saves much stove fuel. Very light and obviously cheap!

quote Moss Tent: "Hi campcook, can you describe your slip cover a bit more?


I have looked at, and will probably buy, the Feathered Friends Condor system, complete with double slip-cover for 2 Exped mats, but although the bag and hoods are very nice (I have used them in the past), the slip cover doesn't float my boat.


Cotton/Wool--those are the two fabrics that I was thinking of (fine merino as the wool), the FF uses nylon with a fleece liner, I think. Is yours entirely reversible, such that you just turn it inside-out depending if you want the cotton or wool, or is it just 2-sided, so that you just spin it 180 degrees to change fabrics?


And where is the fleece blanket sewn? Over the whole surface?


For myself I was envisioning a slip cover that was half cotton and half merino, that I could spin 180 degrees depending if I wanted cool for summer or warm for fall/winter. I would have a perimeter zipper to connect to the Condor bag and hoods, and I would also probably make a light blanket of some sort to zip over the top in very warm conditions.


"

This is what Cliff Jacobson does. His is merino wool on one side and a polyester sheet material on the other side. He uses the wool in colder temps on top and when hot out he has the poly material on top.

quote gkimball: "3 pound coffee cab stick stove. I heat all dish and cleaning water with this stove. Saves much stove fuel. Very light and obviously cheap!


"

What's the bottom pan/kettle you're using? Looks like one I have that I can't find anywhere these days (and I also can't find a pan that fits on top like that!).

I love the pouches with draw string closures that bottles of Crown Royal come in. We use them for a bunch of things. Each person uses one for their own toiletries, we keep smaller individual loose items in them, and they make great stuff sacks for our small inflatable camp pillows. Also use as a stuff sack for the cheap, disposable ponchos we also take on day trips.

As a bonus, it's also a lot of fun making sure you have enough empty Crown bottles so you can use the pouches!

I admire many of these ideas. Good jobs done!

I made my own yoke pads. Huge improvement compared to the sweater. Can double as a seat for a short while too, useful when fishing and/or solo in the tandem.

I also made my own pop can alcohol stove. Its nice for my morning tea when everyone else drinks coffee and for a cup of hot cocoa in the evening. I put my mug right on the stove and get it to just start boiling. Filtered water of course. The thing weighs less than an ounce and is the size of a third a pop can. Really easy.

My underquilt and topquilts for my hammock have to be my fav.

I use my DIY gravity filter all the time.

Adding additional pockets under canoe seats always helps.

DIY bungie ties are easy and i make a few more every year as i give them away to trip partners.

Map holders on canoe thwarts.

Waterproof covers for my ursacks made of ripstop.

Hammock tarps.

I always re-vacuum seal my dehydrated meals that i get in #10 cans, not really a DIY on that one. But making your own dehydrated meals also saves a ton of $$$$.

Gear lofts and footprints are 2 things i'll never pay retail for ever again and are super easy to make.

Net anchors.

Rod holders and drift socks.

In line filters are great as are detachable hose mouth pieces so i can refill my water bladder without taking it out of my pack.

My only contribution to this thread is to kill the ongoing quote.

Ahh.... That's better.

sounds silly/simplistic but a 'shooter' line for hanging the food bag.

very thin line tied to a bullet shaped 4oz sinker. Shooter goes over the tree limb (which is always in the middle of a clusterf* of other limbs/branches/crap), and onto the ground. Then the main line is clipped to the shooter, and pulled over the limb. Then the food bag is raised/tied off.

youtube arborist line if my explanation is lacking.

It rarely takes me more than 2 tries and 2 mins to hang anymore. Starting off years ago it was more like a 30 min ordeal!