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Nov 30, 2005 at 3:03 pm #1217262
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a continually updated catalogue of sources for materials in retail quantities?
Let’s do it. Maybe when it gets going BPL can organize it.
Nov 30, 2005 at 3:05 pm #1346232YES!
I agree.
Nov 30, 2005 at 3:35 pm #1346236Here are some of mine:
Fabric Outdoor Specific:
http://www.cubenfiber.com (for the elusive Cuben)
http://owareusa.com/fabric.html
http://www.owfinc.com (Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics)
http://www.questoutfitters.com
http://www.therainshed.com
http://www.rockywoods.com
http://www.seattlefabrics.com
http://www.thru-hiker.comOther fabric sources:
http://www.americanhomeandhabitat.com/products/Silk-iene%20Silicone%20Coated%20Nylon%20Ripstop.htm (1.1 oz silicone impregnated ripstop. Lots of color selection, higher priceshttp://www.noahlamport.com (industrial and recreational fabrics)
Other handy stuff:
http://www.aircraft-spruce.com (shrink Dacron and other unique stuff.http://www.cstsales.com (The Composites Store – braided carbon fiber tubes and other goodies for making hiking poles, chopsticks, etc.) MAKE A CARBON FIBER SPORK!!!
http://www.johnsweet.com (resins and cloth for fiber reinforced plastic projects)
http://www.eagerplastics.com (low viscosity eposy resin (perfect for carbon fiber hiking poles)
http://www.mcmaster.com (titanium sheet)
http//onlinemetals.com (titanium rod
http://www.widgetsupply.com (the ultimate in odd tools. Lots of Dremmel stuff like pin chucks for holding tiny bits.
http://www.thaisilks.com for Chinese Habotai silk
Nov 30, 2005 at 3:49 pm #1346237you may want to add http://www.fibraplex.com/
Nov 30, 2005 at 5:01 pm #1346245Ryan and everyone,
Give a little information on what category a source falls into or a short statement of their gig.Dec 4, 2005 at 8:33 pm #1346516sewing markers and pens a visual of the types of easy to use sewing markers and pens one can find at a sewing store.
examples of sewing tracing paper examples of tracing paper for sewing projects. The marks wash off. This could be also useful for people developing and testing patterns for metal stoves.
description of what metalized fabric can do This could be, but I’m not sure, the manufacturer of the heat and solar reflective 1.3 oz ripstop now sold at Seattle Fabrics
Small titanium sheets at Thru-Hiker
Miniature cable rigging supplies Fishing wire is miniature aircraft cable. Cabelas has a great selection of fishing rigging supplies in larger quanities and better prices than most local sources. Tackle such as the crimps/thimbles shown in the link, nylon coated wire, snap swivels are strong and light materials to assemble and attach more than just fishing gear. Snap swivels are old- timey, ultralight, miniature carabiners like safety pins.not material but nice to know for planning:
nifty weather forcasting stuff from NOAA click on mapDec 4, 2005 at 9:35 pm #1346518AnonymousInactiveDamn Vick…. Your the Man!
Thanks for sharing your outstanding materials sourcing list.
Ps: I’ll email you inventory on the Epic tomorrow night
Regards
Dec 5, 2005 at 7:34 am #1346527Joy and crew,
Feathered Friends informed me last week that they no longer sell down or fabric retail.
Thanks for putting in the hotlinks.
Dec 5, 2005 at 8:22 am #1346530thru-hiker sells 800+ fill power down
Dec 5, 2005 at 6:16 pm #1346572Knotable titanium wire
Short lengths of titanium cable 30 lb and 50lb fishing leadersA nice article on machining titanium. Most people would only need to know that cobalt drill bits work better than high speed steel and either aluminum oxide or silicon carbide grinding discs would work OK in their dremel or flex-shaft (I bought a box of 100 as they wear down fast). But for those people who have access to a machine shop or plan to jig up their flex-shaft to work like a miniature tablesaw, more technical info is needed. Other articles like this are online.
For some inspiration on what to do with titanium rods check out the patened hinge designs on Lindberg frames. I have owned the Air frame since the early 90s. The twisted hinge part on the bow terminates in just the right spot so the bows do not open more than 90°. The titanium used in the frames is 75% thinner than the rod sold here on BPL, and it is laminated to achieve the three hardnesses. So don’t expect the same results at home. But some interesting things can still be designed at home.
Dec 6, 2005 at 8:05 pm #1346629Harbor Freight sells a motley collection of treasure to dud tools. The Hand Punch, item 44060-2VGA, is a cheap little Chinese jem. It punches holes in most metal, but titanium sheets would most probably tear up the dies. According to a former Boeing engineer, they would drill holes with cobalt steel bits instead of using punches. He shuddered a little when I mentioned Harbor Freight and titanium in the same sentence. The thin foil sold on BPL might be OK.
Dec 6, 2005 at 8:51 pm #1346630The Harbor Freight punch will work on the .016″ Titanium sheet sold by Thru-Hiker.com. I use it all the time and also use it for larger holes by making the smaller holes close and then trimming the hole larger with my tin snips. Great tool 5/5.
Dec 6, 2005 at 9:43 pm #1346632Glad to hear.
Dec 10, 2005 at 11:00 am #1346791Micromark sells modelmaking tools. Item 82816 is a bending brake insert for a vise. Item 81477 is a hand nibbler.
Several years ago I bought a large cone of Nomex sewing thread at a military surplus store for $5. It sews just like regular polyester thread but much stronger.
Hot knife tip sold at owfinc.com
Dec 18, 2005 at 12:23 pm #1347147Here’s something we may need a source on:
MULETAPE, a flat kevlar tape used for pulling cable. 1/4″ comes in 2 thicknesses good for 1250 and 1500 pounds, and would make really good bear line. The 3/8″ versions (two) will handle 1800 and 2000 pounds. I’ve been using used 3/8 for hammock lines. Fifty feet of the 3/8″ weighs 2.5 oz.
Unfortunately, the product is sold only through distributers with a usual minimum of 3,000 feet. I salvaged mine from a cable installation.
Here’s the manufacturer’s site:
MULETAPEDec 22, 2005 at 7:02 am #1347383PLASTIC SNAPS
Super light, proven on outdoor gear, but the ones in fabric stores are not strong enough to hold toilet paper.Has anyone found a good plastic snap for do-it-yourselfers?
The only decent ones I’ve found are from snapfastener.com which require an expensive bench press and dies ($500)as well as a 2,000 unit minimum ($50). So these aren’t practical.
Dec 22, 2005 at 9:26 am #1347388Titatium Goat $15 / sqft (Listed Thickness 0.005″ / 0.127 mm)
Dec 31, 2005 at 11:52 am #1347651Josh,
I copied these from another post of yours, but the URL’s didn’t come over.Note that 1400 series Tyvek is very different from Homewrap according to DuPont.
V
Dancing Light Gear – Standard Housewrap
Backpacker Camper – Standard Housewrap (I think)
(Also sells tyvek ponchos)Into the Wind – 1422R 1.15oz “Kite Tyvek”
Quest Outfitters – 1443R 1.25oz “Kite Tyvek”
Kitebuilder.com – 1443R 1.25oz “Kite Tyvek”
Jan 2, 2006 at 3:52 pm #1347784Seattle Fabrics sells heat sealable fabric:
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html#heat%20sealable%20taffeta
Jan 3, 2006 at 11:03 am #1347822Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics:
owfinc.com
sells heat sealing, coated nylon.Jan 3, 2006 at 5:09 pm #1347855Dancing Light Gear – Standard Housewrap
Backpacker Camper – Standard Housewrap (I think)
(Also sells tyvek ponchos)Into the Wind – 1422R 1.15oz “Kite Tyvek”
Quest Outfitters – 1443R 1.25oz “Kite Tyvek”
Kitebuilder.com – 1443R 1.25oz “Kite Tyvek”
Also, some of the kite stores sell >100# pure spectra lines for cheaper than most backpacking sites.
Jan 8, 2006 at 2:06 pm #1348133Heat resistant tapes: The ones with silicone adhesive bonds to siliconized surfaces. The masking tapes have an 18 month shelf-life unfortunately. The 3M foil tape is longer-lived – but expensive of course.
AcutapeRS Hughes is one company that sells 3M stuff. They have several offices.
Heat resistant polyester film: Polyester withstands temperatures up to 400°F (230°C). A lightweight windscreen, like the one designed by Jim Wood can be made from this material. (He has a nifty downloadable packweight spreadsheet on his site too, among other things.)
Thicker films available at a well stock art supply store – clear and aluminized – ”Mylar”
Cheap and thin
Reynolds oven bags
Emergency blankets are polyester too.The key to using fire for warmth/heat is to keep the fire small (minimize smoke issues) and against a radiant surface. Lacking boulders or a other wall-like structure, a radiant wind screen – like aluminized polyester or aluminized fiberglass – can be substituted.
Seems like the Muletape and 3M foil tape can be resold in smaller quanities through BPL store.
Jan 8, 2006 at 3:19 pm #1348139I noticed that Vick’s original list mentioned Thai Silks. I have shopped from them for years, for making blouses and linings for coats and cloaks. But, I wonder what you use the silk for, in your backpacking trips?
Jan 8, 2006 at 3:44 pm #1348141Bill Fornshell uses silk for his hammocks, I dont know what kind he uses, but I am interested in making a hammock myself.
Bill, could you post where you get your silk? Thanks
Jan 8, 2006 at 4:36 pm #1348143You wouldn’t really need to source the silk for this particular application, but a silk scarf in place of a bandana or buff can add a touch of class. Maybe a bit foppish, but you can usually get them lighter, larger, and in better designs than the standard cotton bandanas.
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