diamond shelters

I gave up the cot and sleep on the ground. Warmer in cold weather.

Omahkapi'si said:

This thread makes me want to camp and get the coffee on the fire.

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I couldn't agree more. My first outing is coming up in a little over 2 weeks.
It'll be my first event in a couple of years. Now that I'm retired that work thing won't be getting in the way anymore.

I took a 12x15 canvas tarp and sewed loops on corners, in center, and at midpoints. I can use it as a dining fly on my bell back wedge or make a decent shelter for two with a floor and a fly door. It can be a one pole or a 3 pole I just need to sew two more loops on the side to pull out for more headroom. The long pole in the front was just laid across serves no purpose other than something to hit your head on.

Well I'm almost 78 and the last two RDV I have used a Diamond and slept on the ground, that was two tears ago. Have not been out do to surgerys in the last two years. I'm getting antsy

Moleman said:

I set my tarp up in a little different configuration.
I use a 12x12 and set it up so that can be closed up in foul weather or in bad skeeter environment.
This configuration allows me to open the front which makes it a semi- diamond.
HC? It's just a square tarp so it's possible.

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Im curious about this setup, can you post more pics as to show the setup ?

Here are two links that have some information that can be gleaned to make a tent out of a tarp.

For what it's worth; when I first started I was told a lean-to configuration was the only way to stop any controversy when I set up. I know that any juried event I attended never had diamond shelters. If a person wasn't in a wedge tent, they were under a lean-to. I've ridden out some horrible storms under a lean-to and stayed bone dry while wedges dropped around me so you can use them and be protected from the elements. You just have to pay attention to wind direction and other things when setting one up; although they do nothing to keep the skeeters out (LOL).

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

So thinking about weight savings over 10 oz canvas, I started shopping around for 7 ounce cotton duck drop cloths to use as material, and the better stuff is of course more expensive. So I guess I should ask how much a canvas diamond shelter costs to buy ready made?

Moleman said:

I set my tarp up in a little different configuration.
I use a 12x12 and set it up so that can be closed up in foul weather or in bad skeeter environment.
This configuration allows me to open the front which makes it a semi- diamond.
HC? It's just a square tarp so it's possible.

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That's probably where the idea of a lean-pee came about.

Very informative

Bark-eater said:

So thinking about weight savings over 10 oz canvas, I started shopping around for 7 ounce cotton duck drop cloths to use as material, and the better stuff is of course more expensive. So I guess I should ask how much a canvas diamond shelter costs to buy ready made?

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Here are a few, most are pricey that's why I have bought canvas tarps on Amazon or Ebay and hand stitched loops where I want them.
https://www.redhawktrading.com/diamond-shelter.html
https://www.tentsmiths.com/product/diamond-shelter/
https://www.tentsmiths.com/product/oilskin-tarp/
https://www.rklodges.com/lodges/leantos/index.html
https://coalcrackerbushcraft.com/collections/shelter

Looks like RK lodges has a 8"x8 natural 10 oz canvas "Lean Pee" for $148
https://www.rklodges.com/lodges/accesories.html

Factoring in the cost and weight additions of Linseed oil or Thompsons to water proof a ground cloth, that's getting close.

I have less than $100 in my 12x15, including waterproofing and 1" cotton webbing for loops.

Bark-eater said:

Looks like RK lodges has a 8"x8 natural 10 oz canvas "Lean Pee" for $148
https://www.rklodges.com/lodges/accesories.html

Factoring in the cost and weight additions of Linseed oil or Thompsons to water proof a ground cloth, that's getting close.

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And you don't have to sew loops on it, they do every 24" and at corners any additional ones for$1.00 each.

I'm planning on doing multi day hikes, so finished weight is part of the equation. I'm looking to buy 3 different drop cloths to make a Diamond fly, a ground cloth and a Loyalist Dave "Patented New Model Lean Too" I'm looking at drop cloths because their already seamed together. So far, I've found about the same sizes in 10 oz and 8 oz "duck" The 8 oz costs 30% more, so I'm waiting to get samples before I spend $100 just on the drop cloth material. All ready got Barn Paint and Thompsons. If I was going to do oil cloth, I would spring for a gallon of Tried and True, Its less than twice the cost of hardware boiled linseed if you get it from a "Woodcraft" store.