Camp Saw Case





Alcohol Stove Case





Tent Pole Case





Water Filter Case





Tent Pole Case





Tarp Poles Bag





Tarp Storage Bags





Tarp Storage Bag





Pole Storage Bags





Food Bag

I like to see that I am not the only person that puts a premium on organization.

Nice work tomcat. Any chance you could do a tutorial?

Not many reply's for sure but there are a lot of DIY'ers that like to see what other members are making.

I follow DIY projects to see how they're done. I might run into a project where I could use a similar method. Muddyfeets tip on bending tubing is one that I plan to use for a freestanding frame for my version of a portable car camping shower. Sewing outdoor gear is new to me but I still find it an Interesting way to make something for a specific use.

That's pretty awesome.

I like to DIY but rarely have the time. I really like your pole & saw storage bag ideas. I may have enough leftover materials from a bridge hammock I'm making this winter to do something similar.

That is the ultimate portable shower. Mine is much more of a basic set up. I threw it together for a car camping canoe trip. It was a big hit only because no one else had a shower set up at all. Mine uses a 2 Gal hand sprayer with a kitchen faucet sprayer connected at the end of the hose. Worked surprisingly well with just over a gal of water per shower. I'll try get a pic of it set up in my basement. I used things I had on hand to put it together and am continuing along the same lines using some used fiberglass poles from a donated tent for the upright supports and am planning to try to bend some 1/2" O.D. aluminum tube for the angled supports at the top. I'm guessing it's softer than the poles that cracked on you.

Great bags! Good sewing job! But, I like the Moose in the first pic even more! just kidding. Keep the ideas coming.
My current DIY thoughts and question...
I was at Midwest Mountain... today looking for a water proof pack liner - Granite Gear used to make them. Light weight nylon with roll and click top to seal it - I use mine instead of plastic - but now I need new ones for the grandkids. My question would be sealing the side seams? I thought of doing flat-fled seams or some kind of glue in the seams - what you think??

Hey TC, I am off to the fabric store to check options. I often use Ripstop by the Yard for fabric or my local options. I have to get a couple table runners quilted before Christmas and then back to my camping projects.

I am looking for ideas. Each fall for the Border Route Challenge, I make stuff sacks as a participation "gift" for all the paddlers and fill them with small stuff (Band-Aids, Chapstick, sun lotion and the like) I also make some other small items - some years I have done insulated beer can covers or thwart straps. I need ideas of small useful things I can make. Oh, I also have the capability (special machine) to embroider on words or designs.
Ideas??

Wow, great ideas! I can use all you might have. If this is the Quick list - it is impressive! The sewing team (sister and friends) will have to vote - I might let the guys who receive these items vote. Thanks, thanks, thanks!!

That's a very similar set up as the one I use. Mine has been doing double duty as well. Being the pressurized water source for dish washing at my deer hunting camp. I set up my wall tent in early october and take it down just after Thanksgiving. You might be interested in the bunk bed set up I made. Wood frame with trampoline material mats, suspended with 3/8 " bungee cord wrapped around Pipes on the sides. Like the anti gravity lawn chairs. I like your washing table. Where did you get it.
My portable shower is primitive compared to yours. With just a tarp threaded onto a fiberglass pole hoop at the top suspended from an overhanging branch.

when car camping, for a shower, since I have 8 half gallon jugs filled with water in a cooler for my water supply, I just put a small amount of soap in one of them, empty it over my head and then rinse with one or two more.

Very refreshing and I don't have all that extra junk others have. Even better you can set up anywhere, although sometimes people don't like it like the woman who called the CA highway patrol because I did it at a rest stop.

CA, the state where everything is illegal.
unless it's illegal elsewhere, then it's legal

Zara - even soap and water are illegal? or was she just being fussy?

Nice work. Looks like you finish your seams by first sewing the ends together leaving some seam allowance then rolling the two loose edges over and making another pass, giving the seam two lines of stitching. Looks strong and well done.

Tomcat - were your photos hosted elsewhere and disappeared? Or did something else happen? All I see are a bunch of blanks after your initial post (with photos still there, thankfully....)

I was wondering what material/thickness you use for your bags?

All of Tomcat's pictures of his gear storage cases motivated me to get busy on some of my own.

I'm starting with an utensil roll. I used Hyper D 300 with 1" grosgrain around the edge.

Beavers: "All of Tomcat's pictures of his gear storage cases motivated me to get busy on some of my own.


I'm starting with an utensil roll. I used Hyper D 300 with 1" grosgrain around the edge.



"

Where do you get the material? Looks great!!

Thanks Scott!

I've been getting all my materials from Ripstopbytheroll.com .

They have the best selection I've found so far.

I finished up bags for my 30L barrel. This was my first time sewing round bags. It's by far the most difficult sewing I've done so far. I'm pretty happy with myself though, I only had to use the seam ripper one time when I sewed the bottom of the first bag in upside down.

I'm doing a set for my 60L barrel next and want to do an insulated cooler bag. I'm trying to figure out the best insulation to use. The only thing I could find with Google for DIY soft sided coolers was using closed cell foam pad. Anyone have any suggestions for a good insulation?

Thanks for the info Tomcat.
The tip on spray glue is great. I was just starting to think through how to sew and attach a liner in the bag, and it seems a little tricky. Do I quilt my pieces, leave the insulation out of the seam allowances then sew together as normal?

Tomcat: "I have used closed cell foam for several sewing projects. I use it mostly as padding to protect contents but also for thermal protection. Closed cell foam is available by the yard and in varying thickness. I often spray glue and quilt it between 2 pieces of fabric. It is durable, light weight, buoyant, and does not absorb water. I consider close cell foam a fair thermal insulator at best. I have wrapped nalgene bottles with 1/2 inch closed cell foam to keep contents from freezing in cold weather and it helped but not nearly as well as a quality vacuum sealed container.


Wool, neoprene, bubble wrap, open cell foam, and closed cell foam all seam to me to have similar thermal protection and for DIY projects I prefer closed cell foam."

Great idea...and I'll echo above's note Tomcat...where'd all your pictures go? I'm dreaming up lots of projects for my daughter to do. She needs to raise $$ for her school trip to DC, and I'd be happy to pay her lol.

Thanks for the detailed response John. Your directions are good. I'll have to re-read them once I have the materials in hand. Written directions always make more sense to me when I have everything in front of me.

Tomcat: "Scotttimm, I consider many of my photos and comments unhelpful or not well received so I deleted all or part of them. I have taken the time to respond to questions with comments and photos only to receive no reply. I figured that if the person asking the question isn't interested it is likely that no one else is either.


I can't remember what I deleted but if you recall something specific I am happy to help.


John"

I really wish you would leave your replies up, I like to go back and check on pictures at a later time and don't always get to the computer to reply in a very timely manner since my "up north" house doesn't always have computer connections. You often have good ideas and information!

Tomcat: "Scotttimm, I consider many of my photos and comments unhelpful or not well received so I deleted all or part of them. I have taken the time to respond to questions with comments and photos only to receive no reply. I figured that if the person asking the question isn't interested it is likely that no one else is either.


I can't remember what I deleted but if you recall something specific I am happy to help.


John"

I think, from my perspective - I'm just starting to get into some DIY gear and have a particular interest in getting some nylon bags, tarps, etc together before our trip this summer. So I was happy to see this thread pop up, and see some comments like "that's awesome"...but it doesn't say what "that" is...so I wouldn't assume people don't think the photos or comments are not well recieved...some of us are just finding this thread. I very much appreciate your work, maybe my daughter will teach me how to use her sewing machine! Thanks for sharing, I appreciate it. Scott

Tomcat, are those screen tents , the 7 x 7, still available. I need a good screen alternative that is light weight for this season.

Tomcat: "

Grandma L: "Tomcat, are those screen tents , the 7 x 7, still available. I need a good screen alternative that is light weight for this season. "

Hi Lori,
The 7x7 screen house is actually an 8x8 Magellan brand screen house sold by Academy Sports. I listed it as a 7x7 because after lowering it 8 inches the bottom perimeter only measures about 7x7 ft.. My son wanted one, I was unable to find them on the Academy Sports website but I found that local stores still had them on their shelf $29.99.
If you need any information or help I am happy to do what I can.
John
P.S.
I sent you and email."

John,
Thanks for the offer. I have decided to make my own - I have poles and net, I just have to dedicate the time to doing it. I will let you know how it turns out.

Tomcat: "Scotttimm,

One of my favorite moditications I made to a screen house that I purchased for $24.00 on clearance at Academy Sports. I prefer low shelters and this screen house was smaller than others I had seen. I set it up and found that the bottom skirt had gaps that would allow insects inside and that the hook and pile pole attachments would snag and damage the netting so I lowered it and replaced the hook and pile with C-clips. The first two modifications worked well so I then replaced the fiberglass poles with a set of aluminum poles. Compact and lightweight ( 3.3 lbs. ), I took it on a canoe trip with my wife. It worked so well that it is now my go to bug shelter for hanging out and cooking. I modified a few more for friends. I have since ditched my Nemo bugout and other screen shelters for the ease and convenience of free standing screen houses.

7x7 Screen House



Canopy 1.7 lbs.
Poles 1.3 lbs.
Stakes .3 lbs.






"

Very interesting! I have a 12x12 Nemo bugout that we love - but it is bulky and heavy. I'm considering just hanging a mosquito net from a home-made nylon tarp (that I'm getting my daughter to make) for our trip this summer's trip with my son, but when we ALL go, the bugout reigns supreme. It can be tricky if the tree situation isn't too good...I like this setup.

I love sewing. By the time I'm done every piece of gear I own is going to have it's own custom case. :)

I've got an old anti-gravity gear pot set that has reflectix koozies and awesome neoprene cases. I wanted to do the same for my new family sized pot but it turns out neoprene is ridiculously expensive, so I settled for hyper-d with reflectix. My unscientific testing shows that it still keeps things piping hot for a long time. The anti-gravity gear pots nest inside along with the plates.





I also got a case sewn for my son's folding Fisker saw. (Everything I sew for him has to be red and have his first initial on it.) Along with a case for my quick buck saw.
I used 210D Robic ripstop nylon for my saw case. I like it. It's heavier than the hyper-d 300 yet still easy to work with.

Tomcat and Beavers: Those are some really nice projects, I especially like that round cook set storage bag, way beyond my skill set. I can't imagine how you get the zipper to line up nicely!! Beautiful work!

Thanks whitecedar. The round bags with zippers have been one of the tougher things I've done so far. I've only been sewing for six months though so every new project is a challenge.

Tomcats storage bags were the inspiration for me to start sewing some of my own.

Look up "Jellyfish" on YouTube if you want a great tutorial on sewing round bags with zippers. She has a bunch of videos covering sewing outdoor gear. I pretty much learned to sew by watching her videos.

Thank you for the advice, I'll check out the videos!!