I will be having a knee replacement next week and I am trying to get winter projects lined up so I can keep busy while I am home bound. What are you up top, making or designing? I need more ideas.

Want to construct a couple portage packs, another board member posted patterns & instructions earlier this year. Also want to make a slipcover for my sleeping pad now that I'm using a quilt instead of a sleeping bag. Beyond that.... time will tell.

I'm working on a canvas hammock sock for deep cold winter hanging.

I am finishing the reflector stove that has been sitting on the back burner (literally)!
Next I want to build two of those tree tables that I've seen around here.
I would LOVE to attempt that portage pack project that Mirth spoke of, but I have never sewed in my life. It is something that I've wanted to learn how to do, but it may be the wrong project to start with?!

Going to make version 2.0 of my solo canoe yoke. I am basing it off this design. Solo canoe Yoke Plans I bought the plans over a year ago and made my first version. Turned out well but I didn't compensate for the angle of my sloped seat. So, I'll make a new version and also try out some Bourquin pads on there instead.

quote Saberboys: "I am finishing the reflector stove that has been sitting on the back burner (literally)!
Next I want to build two of those tree tables that I've seen around here.
I would LOVE to attempt that portage pack project that Mirth spoke of, but I have never sewed in my life. It is something that I've wanted to learn how to do, but it may be the wrong project to start with?!"

Sewing is my specialty. When you get ready to give it a try - send me an e-mail. I "alter" packs all the time and have a good machine for sewing heavy fabric. SR Harris Co. in Brooklyn Park/Center is a good source for heavy cordura. Oh, I am located in the southwest suburbs, with me favorite sewing friend living in Chaska. So we are close to you. The 2 of us team up on tricky big projects. I would be available to help.

I would LOVE to attempt that portage pack project that Mirth spoke of, but I have never sewed in my life. It is something that I've wanted to learn how to do, but it may be the wrong project to start with?!"

The pack instructions mentioned are likely the ones I posted earlier this year. They are super easy, just straight stitches and bar tacks. A friend who had never sewn before made one with no problems. I helped him changing stitches on the machine for the first few then he picked it up and ran.



My projects for the winter are a hammock underquilt and a set of tripod hammock stands so I can hang at the state parks.

Yep WindChill, your plans.

So is there a link to the pack directions?

DIY #3 pack

Ok, thanks for the directions - now, any pictures?

I was thinking of adapting the pattern for 30 L blue barrels. I have altered (reshaped and taken in) standard #3 envelop packs from Kondos in the past but I hate to use those if making them from scratch works well.

I took this pack in and squared off the bottom - then shaped the lid sort of like a back pack lid.

Oh, that is my son carrying it - not me.

I'm at the point where I could make my own pack. The problem is that I don't need a pack. I really don't have my heart into it if I don't have any immediate plans to use what I make. The packs that I do have serve me well and there isn't much that I would change about them anyway.
Right now my head is centered on making yet another winter shelter. I go in stages, and for now, it's shelters. I'm considering a pyramid style shelter, set up to handle a small wood stove. My reasons are... They only need one pole, and that one pole could be found in the woods if need be. They are easy to make. They are easy to set up. They shed wind, rain and snow well.
The down sides of such shelters are... They use a lot of material considering the cubic feet of living space that you get. The entry door is too exposed to the weather. They are heavier than most.
For a while Snowtrekker sold the lightest weight treated canvas around, but because they once sold more than they should have, and ended up running short themselves, they quit selling just the fabric. No one else handles (at least that I can find) that fabric and I'd sure like to use that, opposed to the heavier stuff that you always find. So now I look at either making one from the heavier fabric, or not at all. I want to make the shelter tall enough to stand next to the pole, and big enough for two, plus the wood stove.
I put a furnace in my wood shop to handle the cooler weather of the border seasons and may just move my industrial machine out there. The problem with that is that once it's out of the laundry room, my wife will never let me bring it back into the house. Having the machine in the shop would make it much nicer with a larger working area.
I may just have to beg Snowtrekker again for some fabric. Having that here would spur me into getting started on the shelter and quit yapping about it!

Portagekeeper,
Over at Wintertrekking.com, they found this fabric, Canvas which they claim is so similar to the Snowtrekker canvas. Maybe it could work for you. Her is the thread where they talk about it: Wintertrekking.com

quote Minnesotian: "
Portagekeeper,
Over at Wintertrekking.com, they found this fabric, Canvas which they claim is so similar to the Snowtrekker canvas. Maybe it could work for you. Her is the thread where they talk about it: Wintertrekking.com "

Thanks, but it appears that this is untreated and I think that I already have some of this. Unless I am wrong, isn't the Snowtrekker canvas treated for rot and fire? I just looked on their website and now cannot find anything saying so!? If they are using untreated, I'd feel safer using fabric in the link that you posted. Either way, thanks for posting this.

Ya, Duane does treat it for water repellency and fire resistance. Found that here is an interview he did: Mushing.com

"DL: We use 100% cotton fabric, similar to a cotton duck, and the uniqueness of it over regular canvas is that we use 6.5oz, with a higher thread count and a tighter weave vs. the 10oz canvas of the vast majority of wall tents. The tighter weave not only sheds water and wind well, but still stays breathable. that’s the big advantage of cotton canvas, it allows for the transfer of moisture through the fabric. We also treat our tents with Sunforger water repellency. It is a dry treatment that makes the fabric very water repellent, yet it doesn’t feel waxy. Our fabric is also treated to CPAI 84 flame retardant standards, which is the most stringent. Using these fabrics and treating them the way we do makes our tents light, strong, breathable, and water repellent. You don’t need a rain fly with our tents which saves weight also. "

Also, it appears Sunforger has mildew resistance in it as well. I know of products to use for fire repellency, but I can't seem to find anyway for the DIYer to apply a Sunforger finish.

I plan on making a hot tent, My old BWCA tent {Kelty Switchback} fabric was shredded by a barbed wire fence. So , the frame was left unscathed and is a heavy built 6x10 (with 2 vestibules) modified A frame. I plan on using one end vestibule for the stove and the other as a "mud room" with the door on that end. I'm presently shopping for the right type of canvas and sewing techniques. I'm narrowing my material choice to the 7 oz level and have been looking at the above sites (thanks). I also found a great tutorial website for sewing heavy materials www.sailrite.com. sailrite

One small thing that I may make is a silnylon sack that is the same size as the compression sack that I keep my clothes in. I'd keep it in my clothes bag, just for dirty clothes. It wouldn't take any extra space and would fill with dirty clothes as I used up clean clothes. Until now I have used a plastic shopping bag for this but their size is limited.

quote Grandma L: "

quote Saberboys: "I am finishing the reflector stove that has been sitting on the back burner (literally)!
Next I want to build two of those tree tables that I've seen around here.
I would LOVE to attempt that portage pack project that Mirth spoke of, but I have never sewed in my life. It is something that I've wanted to learn how to do, but it may be the wrong project to start with?!"

Sewing is my specialty. When you get ready to give it a try - send me an e-mail. I "alter" packs all the time and have a good machine for sewing heavy fabric. SR Harris Co. in Brooklyn Park/Center is a good source for heavy cordura. Oh, I am located in the southwest suburbs, with me favorite sewing friend living in Chaska. So we are close to you. The 2 of us team up on tricky big projects. I would be available to help. "

I may have to take you up on that Gandma L! Thank you for offering!!

If the weather was not so crappy, I would be off to the fabric specialty store today. I am "gearing up " to make 2 barrel packs over the winter.

I'm in the middle of making my first "quality" hammock from nylon ripstop material, I made 3 other hammocks from poly crinkle-tafeta tablecloths for the gf and her 2 kids for Christmas, and I am expecting a pouch, probably a box, with nearly 32 yards of specialty fabrics (HyperD and polysil) to make 2 more hammocks, 2 rain tarps, and a bunch of drawstring bags or whatever else I can come up with.

Wow, sounds like you have jumped in with both feet with that much fabric. Good luck - remember to post pictures!

Over the holiday week I made new pot cozies for all of my cooksets except my one large group nesting pot set. Also made a small case for my little wood burning stove that collapses down into 5 pieces.

quote OldFingers57: "Over the holiday week I made new pot cozies for all of my cooksets except my one large group nesting pot set. Also made a small case for my little wood burning stove that collapses down into 5 pieces. "

Pictures - I would love to see your work!

quote Grandma L: "

quote OldFingers57: "Over the holiday week I made new pot cozies for all of my cooksets except my one large group nesting pot set. Also made a small case for my little wood burning stove that collapses down into 5 pieces. "

Pictures - I would love to see your work!"

Here are the photos of my cozies for my two MSR Blacklite pots and for my GSI Dualist pot.

OldFingers57,
Those are great - very interesting. I have sewn several cozys using denim inside, Thinsulite insulation and rip stop outer with a roll and click closure. Now I will have to post pics.

I just took an old aluminum tent pole, drilled small holes in the connecting area, held it together with hitch pins. I also made a double hook for the end. You can use it to get ropes around limbs you can not reach. Take the hook off and put a tennis ball on it and you have a great tarp center pole if you need one.

Mike, do those poles do double duty with tarps?

quote Grandma L: "OldFingers57,
Those are great - very interesting. I have sewn several cozys using denim inside, Thinsulite insulation and rip stop outer with a roll and click closure. Now I will have to post pics. "

The pot coozies are made out of a car sun shade that I had found. Others use Reflectix to make them and FBC coozies

Yes, lori, tarp pole, and what ever else you need it for.

I got a call a few minutes ago that my sewing machine was fixed (only cost $20) so after I pick it up. I am ready to start on the pack to hold my 3 bear vaults very snug stacked together.

The worst part of the trip last year was having them in a pack they rattled around in so that they hung uncomfortably on our backs digging in and shifting around.

A reflector oven. So far, it is just a cardboard pattern/prototype as I fiddle with dimensions and fit. I have yet to decide on which rack solution to go with and I'm still looking for a sheet metal source. ~16 gauge aluminum.

quote goaljohnbill: "I got a call a few minutes ago that my sewing machine was fixed (only cost $20) so after I pick it up. I am ready to start on the pack to hold my 3 bear vaults very snug stacked together.


The worst part of the trip last year was having them in a pack they rattled around in so that they hung uncomfortably on our backs digging in and shifting around."

I am waiting for the pictures. I just finished altering a couple of Kondos #3 packs to fit our 30L barrels with a foam around them. Took them in and shaped the bottom and lid. Easier than making new.

quote schweady: "A reflector oven. So far, it is just a cardboard pattern/prototype as I fiddle with dimensions and fit. I have yet to decide on which rack solution to go with and I'm still looking for a sheet metal source. ~16 gauge aluminum.

"

Are you looking at a solid piece of aluminum or a wire rack for the shelf?

quote OldFingers57: "Are you looking at a solid piece of aluminum or a wire rack for the shelf? "

Either individual rods slid through the sides or a wire rack supported by a rail riveted to the sides. The second option has fewer small parts but also may make it less compact for packing. I know many folks use ovens with a solid shelf for the food support, but I feel like it inhibits some important heat flow. ??

quote schweady: "

quote OldFingers57: "Are you looking at a solid piece of aluminum or a wire rack for the shelf? "

Either individual rods slid through the sides or a wire rack supported by a rail riveted to the sides. The second option has fewer small parts but also may make it less compact for packing. I know many folks use ovens with a solid shelf for the food support, but I feel like it inhibits some important heat flow. ??
"

I've got one with a wire rack and one with a solid metal shelf and have found no difference in cooking in them.

Back to the pot cozy's, I had a gal who's handy with needle and thread make these for me. I told her I needed something to keep food warm in the pot while other things were cooking and away she went. She made them like the handled carriers people use for transporting hot food, with hot pad material for the insulation and some extra material she had on hand for the outside. Uses four flaps to cover the top with Velcro sewn to the outer two to seal it up.

Those are very nice cozys - I am interested in your pot with rack and lid with thermometer. Do you bake in that one?

Tried it but it takes too much heat to get it up to temp then too long to cool down. Would work better as a dutch oven but I'll have to plug the hole in the lid from the thermometer. I'd like to make a Bemco type collapsible oven.

quote Grandma L: "Wow, sounds like you have jumped in with both feet with that much fabric. Good luck - remember to post pictures!"

Finished that hammock and already working on another with the HyperD. Made this one with red nylon and grey calendered polyester ripstop materials. Greg's Hammock

Thanks for the pics - looks like a great job. Now we need summer to try it out!

I've just redone my pulk sled and poles.. and now its 63 degrees in North east Wyoming and the Black Hills... Tell me how im supposed to use it now! I should have added wheels and then it might have snowed!

I have finished a couple of my projects -

Jet Boil bag/cozy


Roll and click closure, Thinsulite lining, small bowl in bottom



Just pull over heat the water add dehydrated packet, roll, click, hang from thwart and paddle while it "cooks".

Thwart Velcro "hangers" for water bottle, map case, etc. in canoe or in my SUV to hang my roll and click knitting bag. these were great Christmas stocking stuffer gifts.

Chair Pack - from altered Kondos #3 - Bottom added and squared off. Holds 4-6 "bag" chairs with a Thermorest-Ridgerest foam in the back to soften it for portages..


I inherited several packs from an old friend who has had to stop canoe tripping so I have the luxury of being able to use them for new projects.

Barrel Pack - 30L with room for foam sleeping pads - altered Kondos #3

Well, back to the sewing machine - I still have 2 packs, a tarp to make and several repairs to make on equipment before spring.

Now that my new knee is doing well, I can easily go up and down the stair to the sewing room - - so - time to get going on projects.

quote Grandma L: "Barrel Pack - 30L with room for foam sleeping pads - altered Kondos #3
"

With all of that insulation you could always pack some cold or frozen items in there.

OldFingers57 - you are right. Great minds think alike. I have foam circles for the bottom and top to use it as a cooler.

Nice work, looks like you've been busy.

quote Grandma L: "Chair Pack - from altered Kondos #3 - Bottom added and squared off. Holds 4-6 bag chairs with a Thermorest-Ridgerest foam in the back to soften it for portages.."

Very nice. It's solutions like this that allows bringing "just a few more" of the luxuries of a base camp. Our men's group have been carrying our bag chairs in a #3 Duluth Pack for the past few years but it really needs to be just slightly taller. We make it work by strapping the chairs together first, putting them (vertically) into the pack, and then criss-crossing the pack straps to keep the bundle tight. Getting them stowed low enough into the canoes is the biggest challenge, but it sure beats carrying bundles of them like a suitcase, or slung like a rifle.

I am planning on adding loops with reinforcements to the center ends of my sil-nylon tarp. I don't have a sewing machine, so I will be doing a little hand stitching.

quote Scout64: "I am planning on adding loops with reinforcements to the center ends of my sil-nylon tarp. I don't have a sewing machine, so I will be doing a little hand stitching. "

If you are in the metro - I might be able to help. Send me and e-mail if you are interested.

I may take you up on that. From the pictures above, you have wicked skills!

quote Scout64: "I may take you up on that. From the pictures above, you have wicked skills!"

Send me and e-mail - I am located in the west metro. I am working on a friend's Marmot Limelight tomorrow to add inside loops to hang small things and adding tie-down loops to the rain fly.

Well, that project is done - Next?

After an unnamed puppy chewed a few spots in my favourite old wool pants I was reluctant to toss them and hoped to find some better use. Came up with a concept depicted below. Bear in mind I am not quick to put clothing on my dog, but am eager to take him with me to the BWCA for lake trout in March.

Jaywalker - nice job. very stylish!

Great job and great way to recycle! I hope he doesn't grow out of it too soon. He's a great model. I like how he's pretending to sniff the ground for the sake of the shot ;-)

Just finished a second ti stove. This one is larger for a longer burn time 10X10X16. I need to get my fabric ordered for my pyramid tent so I can make that and actually use my stoves!

Lots of good projects here! Glad to see more people making and modifying things! It sure gives you a good feeling.
I grew up when you had to do these things, or go without until you could afford to buy or replace something. I think I've learned something from every member of my family, along with shop teachers and other craft people that I have worked with along the way. I only hope that I can pass something along to my grand kids before more good info gets lost in generations.

Was going through some stuff a week or so ago and came across the "gear loft" from several tents. I never use them so they get tossed in a tote.

Decided to fold one in half lengthwise, sew the ends and a couple of stripes up the middle, remove one of the hooks from each end and ...Viola an ultralight hammock ridgeline organizer.

Also did some salvage work last weekend. I have a couple of tents that have been retired from my Scout Troop. And a bunch of the kids old school backpacks.

Salvaged some nylon from the tents and some zippers from the packs to make small zippered pouches for things like TP, fire starting kit, personal smellables etc.

Here's what I've been working on this winter.

Two portage packs: one in classic canvas, one in new-fangled nylon.

Now I just need to get in a boat and use them!

Wow, Doc of the bay,

Nice job! They look to be really well done!

quote Grandma L: "Wow, Doc of the bay,


Nice job! They look to be really well done!"

Thanks. I guess the real test will be to see if they're still in one piece at the far end of the first portage!

I don't know if this is a good deal or not or the type of machine needed for sewing these projects.

Thread Injector

I don't know about the commercial machines - you should ask Dan Cooke.

I use an Old Viking 6440. It has low and high gear and sews about anything - even leather.

quote Grandma L: "I don't know about the commercial machines - you should ask Dan Cooke.


I use an Old Viking 6440. It has low and high gear and sews about anything - even leather.
"

I'm not looking, just thought if someone is looking.

I have to be careful - I could start collecting sewing machines like I collect tents and camping equipment. Addictive!

quote PortageKeeper: "Just finished a second ti stove. This one is larger for a longer burn time 10X10X16. I need to get my fabric ordered for my pyramid tent so I can make that and actually use my stoves!
"

Your Ti stoves are amazing. Curious what you plans are for a pyramid tent. I've been thinking of trying to make a new tent primarily for tripping.

quote Jaywalker: "

quote PortageKeeper: "Just finished a second ti stove. This one is larger for a longer burn time 10X10X16. I need to get my fabric ordered for my pyramid tent so I can make that and actually use my stoves!
"

Your Ti stoves are amazing. Curious what you plans are for a pyramid tent. I've been thinking of trying to make a new tent primarily for tripping. "

The pyramid tent is pretty straight forward. Just a pyramid (1.9 oz sil-nylon) with a single pole. Finished size will be 8.5'x9.5'x 8' tall. 6' zipper in the center of one panel, pull-outs on three sides, 12" skirts that lay inside and a stove jack. Sleeps one on each side of the stove. It will have a separate 'flying diamond' tarp/awning to keep rain out when the door is open.