Cuben MYOG Flat Tarp Seam Question

[Will Faison]

So I just labored over my first real cuben project (besides 5 little stuff sacks), and it was quite humbling. I thought by far the hardest part was getting the material square, oddly enough.

I do have a question — my seam, when I tension it, does this (first two pictures, the pucker)– any ideas why? I had everything taught and square, and thought I had it perfect. Perhaps because my tie-outs are slightly circular and do not pull perfectly on the center? Perhaps triangle ties outs would fix the problem here? Any and all input welcome. I exaggerated the pucker here intentionally, but no amount of tension on the ridge or the panels will get it to flatten out. 

 

Besides that, I think it turned out well. All bonded — cross grain backed with 3M 1/2 tape, then bonded over with black cube hybird. I will do a full post when I get this ridge line sorted. Weight right now with 1.0oz black cuben and WAY too much guyline is 12.2 oz.

 

 

[Hoosier T]

What happens if you flip it over and pitch it upside down (basically inside out)? I always put my reinforcements underneath the tarp. Not sure if it would solve the issue but a thought.

[Will Faison]

Hey hoosier, thanks for the suggestion. I have the reinforcements on both sides — the connecting piece of cuben is the tie-out.

I have not seen or heard of anyone doing it this way yet, so figured I may give it a whirl. All the other tie out-s have performed shockingly well, which leads me to think just a little tweaking for the shape of this one.

 

[Ryan Smith]

I’ve seen that before, but never gave much thought to what caused it. Your guess that it might be the circular reinforcements vs triangle could very well be it. In the flat tarps I’ve used, a very tight pitch would clear it up.

[Will Faison]

Thank you for the input. That’s what I thought too, until I blew up a 100% dyneema guyline. It’s so odd because you would think it would not lie flat on the ground, but it does, perfectly.

I think I am going to try the triangular guyouts and see what happens. Thanks!

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