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Cuben Tarp Styles Revealed!!!


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  • #1239514
    Ron Bell / MLD
    BPL Member

    @mountainlaureldesigns

    Locale: USA

    Ron from MLD here.

    I wanted to share some cuben info.

    Note that this is the first time we have pubilically stated the exact style of Cuben we use.

    The CT1K.08 is the stuff we call .45 and is the type for the one MLD Speed Tarp. Can be torn by hand by most people without a starter edge cut. We've ruined tarps by pulling them over a catchy corner edge of work tables. We do not guarantee the fabic on this one tarp. A very few other companies have offered this lighter weight style in the past and they did not guarantee that style cuben either – almost all companies most stopped making commercial tarps from that weight. It is quite thin and sewing is a challenge – plan on taping and using a bit larger than normal reinforcements and hems. DYi'ers without heavier Cuben styles on hand to build the reinforcements from should consider using taped reinforcements of slightly different sizes on both sides. Sometimes we spot areas – since we cut all our own in house- based on years of experience – that are not layed up evenly and need to be discarded. The thiner the style, the harder to manufacture evenly.

    All the rest of the MLD Cuben tarps and shelters are from the much much stronger CT2K.08 that we call the .6 Really bomber stuff. Can not be torn by hand. -And I'm pretty strong. Small rips are very hard to enlarge by hand. So any puncture will stay very small.
    Every once and while we have to discard some rough sections- but overall pretty uniform layups.

    We know the actual weights per style are now a bit higher than years ago when we first started using Cuben and those weights can vary a bit from run to run like any fabric anyway. We keep calling it .45 and .6 to try to keep some comparrision and reference continuity.

    The final weights in the individual style/size tarps over the years have changed less than an ounce anyway. We hope the .45 and .6 reference help folks judge strength between our products year to year vs. posting lots of small changes and getting lots of different numbers all swirling around.

    We do not know exactly what style the .33 or .45 references seen around the web refer too but it's got to be very very thin.

    On BPL forums, Cuben gets a pretty solid reputation and through discussion, but in a lot of other places it has a shaky reputation. We feel that is mainly due to misperceptions created when the word Cuben is used to reference any sand all styles and weights. Since a lot of that is based on the very lightest styles and experimental construction methods, it's not a surprise.

    Summary:
    • CT2K.08 is very strong. (98% of our tarps/shelters)
    Frrancis Tapon used this for his CDT Yo Yo and that's a lot of nights.
    • CT1K.08 smaller tarps can be used carefully in moderate winds if constructed very well (used only in the one MLD Speed Tarp) -Costs a couple bucks less p/yd than C2K.08 but you may end up needing more seam sealer weight for strength Vs with the CN2K.08 too.
    • Even lighter styles are super interesting…but very very very thin. DYI'ers have fun and be creative! A whole lot of good ideas do come from you.
    •There is a reason if a cuben product's fabric (not just the workmanship) is not covered by a full warranty. Our .6 / CT2K.08 is fully covered. Our .45 style is not.

    #1529444
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    Thanks Ron. The same applies to Tyvek, often spoken as one product when in fact there are at least 15 different types…
    Franco

    #1529446
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    Thanks Ron! I love this type of information. It is very much appreciated.

    #1529447
    Michael Fogarty
    BPL Member

    @mfog1

    Locale: Midwest

    Ron,

    The Revelation Pack is even heavier Cuben at 1.5 oz correct.

    Do you run this material through a clothes drier to soften it, so its easier to work with. I swear my Cuben Patrol smelled like fabric softener or drier sheets, when I first got it?

    #1529476
    Dan @ Durston Gear
    BPL Member

    @dandydan

    Locale: Canadian Rockies

    A bit off topic, but do your MLD cuben stuff sacks ship out quickly? Or does the 4-7 week wait also apply to these?

    Thanks.

    #1529484
    Sanad Toukhly
    BPL Member

    @red_fox

    Thanks for the info Ron.

    Do you recommend the CT1K.08 for stuff sacs?

    -Sid

    #1529496
    Ron Bell / MLD
    BPL Member

    @mountainlaureldesigns

    Locale: USA

    We use the .6 . CT2K.08 for stuff sacks- since the amount of fabic is small- lighter styles would not save more than about .000000000001 oz and would not be nearly as strong.

    Cuben stuff sacks ship in about a week or maybe two.

    #1529497
    Patrick Caulder
    BPL Member

    @pcaulder

    Locale: SouthEast

    Thanks for letting us know because I was planning on biting the bullet on a 9m order of the CT1k.08, and I am glad I haven't done it yet.

    #1529548
    Larry Dyer
    Member

    @veriest1

    Locale: Texas

    Good info… now I just need the $$$ for cuben!:P

    #1536193
    Ron Bell / MLD
    BPL Member

    @mountainlaureldesigns

    Locale: USA

    I posted some prelim pics of the new Stealth cuben tarp colors on the MLD facebook page.

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131793047725&ref=nf

    No facebook account needed.

    Guessing some the DYI'ers that are getting some of this color soon can preview it.

    More of a tint than a solid color but a lot more stealthy than the white.

    Tarps in this color will cost about 10% more since the raw fabric is more expensive. We'll offer the color option.

    We'll get more pics and info on them up on the MLD website soon.

    Yeah, I know you want the pics here- but surf on over and also watch for upcoming contests for FREE gear- already gave away a "first in the world" unique piece of gear.

    Spinntex EXP Solo Mid proto give away contest will go up next week.

    #1536200
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    Bummer. I guess the Canaan didn't win! ;-) You might want to keep that name in your pocket for any dog-related stuff you might make though! Canaan – K9. It's a natural!

    #1536245
    Sanad Toukhly
    BPL Member

    @red_fox

    Hey Ron,
    when will the SoloMid be available on your website?
    Also, is the 10 oz weight for SilNylon? If so, how much would it weigh with Cuben?

    -Sid

    #1536314
    Ron Bell / MLD
    BPL Member

    @mountainlaureldesigns

    Locale: USA

    We will get the Spintex EXP version up in a few weeks. That is the only version planned now and it is 10oz w/ linelocks. I would guess most users would cut off at least four so it would get closer to 9.5oz.

    As the total amount of fabric surface area gets smaller in a shelter- the wt of the fabric plays less of an overall percentage of the final weight- The hardware/ reinforcements/ guyline, etc weights stay fairly constant.

    So a Sil version would be only about 1- 2 oz more and a cuben about 1 – 1.5 less.

    Annthing is possible as custom with some custom charges.

    #1536319
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    Hey thanks Ron. The MYOG cuben co-op production run happened last week and the material is now with our stateside distributor :-)

    As you said, more a tint, but less 'glow-in-the-dark' than the white.

    The new tarps look great.

    I have plans for a 2 piece zip together tipi which makes 2 sizes of poncho for me and my little lady to wear as downpour wear/packcover. Her side will benefit from a mesh lining which drops down to make a bug nest. The zips are fairly heavy (think golite hex3) but should be durable and strong enough for the job.

    #1536327
    Nate Meinzer
    Member

    @rezniem

    Locale: San Francisco

    Went to the Facebook page and couldn't, for the life of me, find the new cuben tarp in a "green tint" color. Looks like you just posted the same old grace solo pic with white cuben.

    Then I looked closer! That color is barely noticeable.

    #1597595
    Dan @ Durston Gear
    BPL Member

    @dandydan

    Locale: Canadian Rockies

    According the MLD site, MLD is using 0.7oz cuben for their tarps etc. Is this the same stuff (CT2K.08) mentioned earlier at 0.6oz? Or is MLD using slightly heavier cuben now?

    #1597723
    Lawson Kline
    BPL Member

    @mountainfitter

    CT2K.08 weighs .75oz per square yard. I don't know if that helps but in my opinion that weight material has the best strength to weight..

    #1597813
    Dan @ Durston Gear
    BPL Member

    @dandydan

    Locale: Canadian Rockies

    Yeah that helps. Thanks.

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