Interest in Silpoly pyramid kits?

[Nick Smolinske]

Not sure if this is an appropriate commercial post or not.  I thought about posting in gear swap but this makes more sense to me.

Anyway, I bought a roll of 20d silpoly (1.4oz PU-coating, “green tea” color) late last year with the intent to make some tents and tarps, but my bike bag production has gotten super busy so I doubt I’ll be able to work on that project anytime soon.

However, I’ve got the facilities and tools to cut the material easily, and I also have patterns made and tested for a 9×9 pyramid with small caternary cuts.  So it occurs to me that I could ship the pieces to a tent already cut, with instructions on how to put it together.  And a bit of scrap to practice on.

That way I could use my silpoly without spending as much time.  And it takes all of the math and difficulty of cutting large fabric panels out of the equation for MYOGers.  I would probably do retail cost of the silpoly + $20 or so.  Including some lineloc3’s and grosgrain ribbon cut for the guylines.  I don’t have the time right now to do it but I thought I’d gauge interest and if I have the time in a few weeks I could put some kits together.  Any interest?  Thoughts?

[Sam Haraldson]

What digital format are your patterns in, Nick?  Would you mind sharing?

[Ken Thompson]

Sounds like something for me. Sewing together pre cut pieces would be a good time saver. I’m interested and even like the color.

[Casey Bowden]

Good timing.
Within the last month my wife got a new sewing machine.
I’m definitely interested.

[Chad B]

I’d be in too, been wanting to learn how to sew.

[Clifford Deakyne]

I’d be interested as well.

[Jordo _99]

I’d be interested. I have friends and family who have expressed interest in having me commission them a shelter and I could certainly make this work for them.

[Jennifer Mitol]

I’d do it, too – sounds like a great idea for someone like me!

[Anonymous]

One of the factors that kept me from making a pyramid tent myself a little while ago, was partly a severe lack of working space to cut out all the necessary panels.

So, i think it’s a good idea.  At this point, not sure i would buy the kit myself since i bought a silnylon pyramid tent awhile back.  Actually i might, and sell the pyramid tent, which so far hasn’t been used at all. While i’m not keen on the greater stretching and moisture absorbing of the silnylon, i do like the greater strength and durability for less weight as compared to polyester though.

[Andy S]

I would be into that for sure.  Let me know the details when you have them.  Thanks!

[Ricky Ng]

It sounds like fun, I’d be interested in a kit.

[Nick Smolinske]

Well, sounds like I should go forward with this idea!  I’ll need to find the time to make another mid to take photos of for instructions.  I sold mine to a friend in need so I have to do that anyway.  Once that’s done I should have enough fabric left for 8-10 kits.

Sam, I don’t actually have the pattern in a digital format at all.  I used some geometry along with Roger Caffin’s cat curve calculator to plot the pieces onto masonite, which I then cut with a jigsaw.  I used to teach community college math so I’m pretty comfortable with doing the hand calculations.

[Sam Haraldson]

Glad to see such positive response to this.  And thanks for the info, Nick.  Nothing wrong with good old hard patterns.

[terry a thompson]

I would be interested also..sounds like a great way to get a tent project off the ground.

Please let me know when you have more details.

Thanks,

[Ryan P. Murphy]

I would be interested in a kit (or 2 or 3). Let me know when this gets a little farther along.

Cheers

[Rory Goforth]

I’d be interested, I’m in Flagstaff too.

[EJVC]

Me too, sounds fun.

[Bill P]

Hi Nick, I am keen too.

I’m located in Australia though.

 

Regards Bill Purcell

[Gary D]

Interested as well. I am located in Canada.

[Véronique V.]

I’m interested too… I’m in Canada.

[Christopher T]

Interested also I am in North Carolina

[Michael P]

Whatever came from this?

[Nick Smolinske]

Michael,

So nothing has come of this, yet.  I still have the roll of fabric in my shop, and I will probably get around to making kits eventually.  The problem is time – I’ve just been so busy this year.  And then I just took a month off to hike part of the CDT … this is why I didn’t make any promises.

In any case I’m hiring some new employees so hopefully this fall I can get around to it.  And I’m gonna make myself another mid so I can take photos or shoot video of the construction whenever that happens.

[Lizz Roe]

I’m interested too – I’m in the UK….

[Zakary Paronto]

Glad to hear this is in the works still. I would love to get one.

[Author]

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