thoms tyvek GCB (ground cover bivy)

Hi, I was wondering if you could post some directions on how you made this. I am new to this so I apologize in advance if there are already directions up that I can not find. Thanks

Thom,

Nice stuff. Curious if this is made with your bonded seams?

Also, any idea what the weight ended up being? Looking to build a bivy here soon. This tyvek version looks promissing.

Thanks.

All GCB's have been made using bonded seams. Early versions were made using a 2" overlap seam but on more recent models I've switched to a 1" bonded seam. Strength and durability have not been effected by this change. The weight has been noted in prior postings but that was before the seam change. I will weigh and post pictures of a newer version soon.

If interested please PM with email information.

Any news on this project? I am thinking about making a bivy either sewing silnylon or bonding Tyvek. Any pattern online?

Thom,

Did you get your computer issues ironed out? Would love to see your plans/drawings.

Z

I have carried Tyvek that looks like this for a groundsheet and found it almost drove me nuts when a wind came up. I have since switched to 4 mil polyethylene, which is really cheap, available, and not nearly so noisy. I read somewhere that you can launder Tyvek and "soften" it so it is more civilized, but with some loss of protective properties.

Not that I am trying to be a wet blanket, your work looks really great, but I got ugly flashbacks looking at that Tyvek logo.

When I buy Tyvek, first thing I do is throw it in my top loading washer. I let it run through a complete wash/rinse/spin cycle. Nice and quiet after that. Soft, too.

For this kind of application I would think that soft/clothing Tyvek would work much better than Housewrap.
Franco

Agree with Doug, I throw mine straight in the machine, incidentally I have had the same piece for over 2 years now which I use as a ground sheet.

Oh and Thom, looks great

I was not able to recover concept records and drawings following a home computer system meltdown. I will be redoing the concept drawings and hopefully have these available soon.

nm

I just found this thread with this latest prototype…wow! Nice changes on the top opening and the taper from GCB1 and GCB2 on the original thread where I saw it.

I can't wait to start mine. It will be a great addition to my siltarp style of handling inclement weather conditions. Although in my summer Sierra Nevada backpacking, the GCB will probably be used most often as GC for bedding under the stars.

I have recreated my GCB drawings and will convert to a PDF file. I will,hopefully, have this available soon to email if there is an interest.

FWIW: This is a great project for a Boy Scout group. I volunteered my time and all the required materials for a troop and we made ten of these for an upcoming summer trip. We cut the patterns on one Saturday and bonded on a following Saturday. The boys had a great time, as did I, and they were excited to make something that they would each have the opportunity to use in the field.

If there are BPL members interested in doing this as a scout project I will try to offer support in the form of donated tyvek and fabrication tips.

Thom,

That is very generous! Kudos to you for helping the Scouts.

What a great example you set!

Todd

I can see our Troop doing this project. Anxiously awaiting….

Wow! A great project and a great idea for a scout group! I am anxiously awaiting the results as well!

I wait with bated breath for PDF………….

I will have the PDF plan available on Monday, PM if interested.

I've been wanting to make one of these, since I have half a role of tyvek just sitting in my garage doing nothing. Nice job Thom sent you a pm. Jack

Thom, I am a neophyte with respect to bivy or tent/tarp construction. Can you explain the difference between overlap seams and bonded seams?

I emailed out today a pdf drawing for my tyvek GCB to all who contacted me requesting this information. Please PM or email with any specific questions.

I sent out 12 pdf drawings just today. Have fun.

WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To all I emailed out my pdf drawing to. I noticed a mistake on the pdf drawing that needs correction. Step 1 ends with "Cut". This is not correct, a person should "Cut" at the end of Step 2 (along the outer 2" seam allowance line).

I have corrected the pdf and can resend or you can note the change/correction on your copy. I apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.

You try to be helpfull and this happens. :(

Thom what are you using to bond the tyvek together? Thanks Jack

I have had very good results using 3M Super 77 spray adhesive. In non scientific destructive testing the bonded seam is stronger then the material itself.