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Make Your Own Ursack?

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Mar 22, 2009 at 8:36 pm #1235006

john braun
Member

@hitman
Locale: West Florida

Wouldn't it be easy to make your own Ursack? What material is it made from?

Or, what REALLY strong materials would be resistant to rodents?

Mar 23, 2009 at 4:53 am #1488067

Tim Marshall
BPL Member

@marshlaw303
Locale: Minnesota

There was a guy that posts here, Joe something, that had used an old airbag to make a stuff sack. He posted about it on Thru-Hiker forums, he posted it unded "air bag bear bag" i belive, and his handle is needtoboat.

I was very interested in it but it didn't seem like after making it he used it much, or at least i didn't see much as far as updates.

-Tim

Mar 24, 2009 at 11:54 am #1488455

Jason Turner
Member

@headchange4u

I made my own DIY version of the Ursack from some Kevlar sheets from a bullet proof vest. I bought the Kevlar from Ebay. I don't know if it's actually "bear-proof". I made it mainly for protection against critters, like mice and raccoons, getting in my food bag. Details here:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=639&

Mar 24, 2009 at 12:38 pm #1488467

Sarah Kirkconnell
BPL Member

@sarbar
Locale: Homesteading On An Island In The PNW

Ursack's are bear resistant not bear proof (nothing is bear proof – even canisters).

Having said that…you could make one, but sewing it would be the hardest part. Cost wise, I would run that out and compare to just buying an Ursack (which are not that pricey).

Mar 24, 2009 at 1:29 pm #1488482

Jason Turner
Member

@headchange4u

MY DIY version above only cost me $5 to make. The Kevlar and Vectran material is not hard to sew. I've also made a slightly larger version from a Vectran car air bag. I have gotten several air bags for free from body shops (I work in the automotive repair industry). Body shop normally just throw exploded air bags in the trash.

Mar 24, 2009 at 6:39 pm #1488585

john braun
Member

@hitman
Locale: West Florida

I found this site…

http://www.discountcomposite.com/#kevf

I'm just not sure which denier to get or how many ounces per yard. Is it K29 that I would need?

Mar 25, 2009 at 8:11 am #1488669

Sarah Kirkconnell
BPL Member

@sarbar
Locale: Homesteading On An Island In The PNW

What I meant about the sewing is that it is the weakness in a bag – by that, if the stitches fail, the bag will fail if tested by a bear.

Oct 11, 2011 at 2:19 am #1789056

Ross P Hemphill
Member

@rbimli
Locale: PNW

I realize that this is an old thread, but I wanted this information here for others to come across. It's a fine idea! Couple issues, though. First, Ursacks aren't made of kevlar or vectran! (I believe they've stopped using vectran, and if they used kevlar it's been years.) However, Ursack Minors are kevlar, but not for bears.

Next point is: it seems car air bags are nylon 66, not Kevlar (used for lifting air bags) or Vectran (for the Mars rover air bags). According to this document, this abstract, and this post.

Okay, so who's got the bright idea on cheap sources of spectra, vectran, and kevlar..? :]

Oct 11, 2011 at 7:01 am #1789092

Jerry Adams
BPL Member

@retiredjerry
Locale: Oregon and Washington

Nomex/Kevlar: http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/Other-Heavy-Durable-Fabrics

Oct 11, 2011 at 5:37 pm #1789328

Sam Farrington
BPL Member

@scfhome
Locale: Chocorua NH, USA

Ross and Jerry,
Thanks for that very helpful info.

Oct 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm #1791745

Ross P Hemphill
Member

@rbimli
Locale: PNW

No problemo. Sometimes I'm amazed at the discussions that don't get picked up or over. Anyway, I'm glad when I can make any contribution to this great resource and thus slightly lessen my "karmic debt!" Anyone else still thinking about sweet super-cheap gear made from Tyvek envelopes?

By the way, Sam: how're the colors doin' over there, or are they..? (Mmm, NE in the fall…)
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