A Somewhat Different Type Of Tarp Shelter

Mistwalker

Mistwalker

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Dec 22, 2007
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The last few days have been about field tests and experiments. So...as always, I conducted a few of my own.

What you see in this picture are out door advertising billboards...but what you are looking at here is 10' x 24' vinyl tarps with pictures printed on them. Now...I am not saying people should run out and steal billboards...that would be illegal and could be dangerous. However situations sometimes change and things are ever discarded in this country.

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They will fold up a bit tighter than what you see in these pictures.

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As part of yesterday's outing I decided to play around with one I found. Now...before the critiques start I know of things I did wrong as far as this being an actual shelter. I wasn't really prepared materials wise, a lot of it was improvisation and it was all mainly to check out the over all size, characteristics, and usability of the material. I did have other things to do also...but wanted to experiment some while I was out.




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I didn't have near enough cordage with me so I had to cut a ridge pole for the shelter from a standing dead tree. maple I believe from looking and how hard it was but I'm not really sure. Luckily I did have a larger chopping tool I have been out testing lately so things went quicker than they would have otherwise. You can see what I did in the pics below and maybe get your own ideas.

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Then I tied it between two trees using some left over braided twine I had policed up from one of my construction projects.

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After that I cut off all protrusions that might damage the tarp and draped it across the ridge pole.

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I cut a couple of up-rights and stakes for the front. No pics of just the up-rights, but considering the loose soil I cut long stakes and drove them at an angle.

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Part 1 of 4

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I stuck the up-rights in the ground near to where I'd want them, then weighted down the back with large rocks.Then I used a small stone and a loop in my string to attach the string to the tarp. Then wrapped the string around the pole and tied it and pulled it down to the stake and tied it off, and repeated that on the other side. If you are alone and doing this don't use any hard knots, there may need to be some adjustments made.

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When I was done it looked like this.

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You might think a big picture of a jelly fish might stand out in the woods...but the further away from it I got the more it blended in.

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This shot is taken from about 75 meters away and through the woods and if you look hard you can just make out the color blue in the center of the photo.

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My little camp set, I set about my work for a while while the lighting was still ok early in the morning. Then around lunch time I made a fire ring and heated up some soup for dinner.

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Part 2 of 4

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A couple of shots with me in them to give some perspective.

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Not the worst dinner, nor a bad view to have dinner by.

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I did have a smaller knife on me that I could have used...and would have used had this actually been more of an urban survival "adventure". You might have noticed the little XCEST in some of the pictures. The distribution of mass allows the knife to chop a bit better than one might think for its size.

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I've put it through some pretty rough paces lately and it's proven to be tough. I beat it up pretty good and did a good bit of prying with it yesterday while I was out.

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Part 3 of 4

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And I'm thinking with it having so short of a blade, and looking more like a tool and kit and less menacing or weapon-like that it might just be a really good option for a survival kit in an urbanized environment as well.

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Very nice pics Mistwalker. Yes that was a very nice view to enjoy your lunch from. Nice shelter, good use of the (sign) tarp.
So you said a larger chopper you have been testing ? Were you referring to theTops Power Eagle 12, how did it do do ?
 
Great pics. Looks like the sign/tarp would make a great shelter if you were to have access to one somehow. Also, I, too, would like to know how the Tops worked as a chopper? I've been looking at them since they came out, but haven't gotten to try one out yet. :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed the post. It is actually doing really well. It bites really good. I've chopped through hard seasoned hickory and into some seasoned maple and I've been impressed with it. I'll post an actual review later on after I test it out some more.
 
Mist, in my short time of being on this forum, two things I can always count on from your posts: 1) you always put at least one knife in the pics that I have to put on my "get list", & 2) the hunger pangs start in the stomach as soon as I see your post . . :)
Great shots once again.
Be safe.
 
JUST1MOR said:
Mist, in my short time of being on this forum, two things I can always count on from your posts: 1) you always put at least one knife in the pics that I have to put on my "get list", & 2) the hunger pangs start in the stomach as soon as I see your post . . :)
Great shots once again.
Be safe.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, glad you enjoy the posts.

Hey...I tried to keep the food simple that time :)
 
? Weight of tarp?

Probably UV proof, I'd guess.

Wonder what sign companies do with the retired signs? Paint over?

nicely done.
 
Kismet said:
? Weight of tarp?

Probably UV proof, I'd guess.

Wonder what sign companies do with the retired signs? Paint over?

nicely done.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, I'm not sure of the weight yet. I'll weight it at the UPS Store when I get a chance. I get a kick out of the look on Bethany's face when I come in to have random objects weighed :)

Not sure what they do with them usually. Might be worth befriending a sign hanger to find out though.

On another note this is a small one. Some are twice this size...I'm thinking tee peem if I ever get one of those :thumbup:
 
Hello guys!

I am actually in the sign industry and the material is called panaflex. It is a 3m product that has a vinyl covering on a polyester backing. The material has UV inhibitors built into it and makes a very good outdoor tarp type of material. The only problem is that it is very heavy compared to other lighter tarp materials, but it is a very strong material.

We use this material for all types of signs and awnings. We also grommet this material and use it for banners.The copy can be washed off with the use of chemicals, but it takes some work and is very messy. That is why most companies just throw away the faces when they are changed out.
 
SurvivalisT69 said:
Hello guys!

I am actually in the sign industry and the material is called panaflex. It is a 3m product that has a vinyl covering on a polyester backing. The material has UV inhibitors built into it and makes a very good outdoor tarp type of material. The only problem is that it is very heavy compared to other lighter tarp materials, but it is a very strong material.

We use this material for all types of signs and awnings. We also grommet this material and use it for banners.The copy can be washed off with the use of chemicals, but it takes some work and is very messy. That is why most companies just throw away the faces when they are changed out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. I used to work at an outdoor advertising company years ago when I was really young, my father was plant manager and I was the unofficial "night-shift" shipping dept. but that was before the vinyl came along.
 
Cool post once again, man. Dig the hat! Power eagle looks pretty sweet, but I'm happy with my condor. I use an Entrek Javalina for rougher use like you did with the smaller xcest. Definately gonna check into banners, think I know someone
 
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