Tartan Jack Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) As I am going to Lockhouse in July and am rapidly putting my kit together, I realize I need a tent to sleep in. I have LOTS of wools to use as blankets and any crap covers inside the tent, so that isn't an issue. My problem: not much budget right now. SO, whereas, in theory, pirates would not have "general issue" camping gear, wouldn't have the means or necessity to have complex camping gear, that should not be overcome-able. So, what should I buy? How much of it? How would I put it together? What do I need to do with it before the event (prepping it)? Oh, and this just for me to sleep in. Edited June 24, 2009 by Tartan Jack -John "Tartan Jack" Wages, of South Carolina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 You don't really need one. Seriously. Just stay in the lockhouse. Now if you want one, that's a different story. My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn' Mac Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 You can put together a serviceable simple tent easy-peasy leamon squeezy for around $45-$60 if you aren't picky. You need: From Home Depot: 6'x 11' canvas painters tarp two 2"x 2" x 8' redwood poles two 3/8" x 10" screw bolts 1 can polyurethane coating 44 feet of manila/hemp rope 1 wood dowel From Wal-Mart: 1 grommet setting kit From Jo-Anne's or your favorite fabric store: 1 yard duck canvas, natural colored waxed thread From Army Surplus: 10 tent stakes Tools needed: A saw A paint brush A drill A wrench A grinder or bolt cutter A sewing machine or at least a needle and thread Scissors A hammer A sander or just sand paper A wood file The tent: Cut 16 3" by 3" squares out of your yard of duck canvas. These will be used for rip stop support on each corner of your tarp, the two sides and at either end. As so: You will sandwich the tarp between the pieces of canvas and sew as shown. Then grommet each piece. You could use stitching to make it look like a piece of sail or paint it or something as well. The poles: Cut your redwood down to 6' lengths. Sand the bottom. Using the wood file, file off the corners along the top to round it out into a peg and sand. Leave the top flat, as such: Screw in the bolts to the top leaving the haft exposed. Cut off the head with a grinder or the bolt cutters. Seal your poles with poly. The rope: You want four lengths at 11' each. Cut toggles that are about 4" long from your wood dowel. Drill two holes in them with a 3/8" bit. Sand and poly. Feed one end of the rope through each hole in a toggle and tie it off. Tie a simple knot into the other end of the rope, loop it over and tie it together with waxed thread as shown: Simply set up as shown: You can modify from there. Add on tent flaps to the front and back, water proof it with Kanvac, etc. It's not fancy but it will work. Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tartan Jack Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) If I wanted to make one, how would I go about it? Edit: Above post was made AS I was posting this one. Edited June 24, 2009 by Tartan Jack -John "Tartan Jack" Wages, of South Carolina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Roberts Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Capt'n Mac you suggested about what I was going to. Also if you can't find tent stakes at an Army surplus check you local "big box" home improvement store. I've seen spikes 12' long that would work well as small tent stakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelsbagley Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Capt'n Mac you suggested about what I was going to. Also if you can't find tent stakes at an Army surplus check you local "big box" home improvement store. I've seen spikes 12' long that would work well as small tent stakes. Yep, those large spikes work great! But a lot of people add washers to them to give them a bit more hold. Even though the head on those spikes are a good size, the canvas can still slip off, a good sized washer fixes that problem entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Brand Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Redhawk makes a really good set of stakes. Easy to set. Easy to pull. http://www.redhawk-trading.com/accessories.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tartan Jack Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 What are other style of tents and how were they put together? Oh, while on it here: How likely would a metal grommet be? As they weren't used on ship, I'm, thinking not very. - Oh, and I have the grommets already from past projects, so that isn't the issue. -John "Tartan Jack" Wages, of South Carolina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Sea Trade Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I made a quick and dirty one for a weekend event: large dropcloth (I washed and dried it to shrink it up a little), used the old "musket ball in each corner with a loop of rope around it" for staking it down and used some recently cut saplings for the uprights and ridgepole. It held up pretty well, and looked suitably like I had scavenged it from a shipwreck. Later, to make it a bit more weatherproof, I melted some beeswax, thinned it with soybean oil and painted the whole thing with it. I haven't had a chance to set it up since, so I can't yet tell if it was worth the extra effort. Red Sea Trade In days of old when ships were bold just like the men that sailed 'em, and if they showed us disrespect we tied 'em up and flailed 'em, often men of low degree and often men of steel, they'd make you walk the plank alone or haul you 'round the keel. --Adam and the Ants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Bravo! That sounds just awesome!!! Did anyone get pictures? My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn' Mac Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 No doubt! That sounds awesome. Let's see some pictures! Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyBrower Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I'm working on my tent this weekend. Those diagrams are really helpful. I'll post pictures if people are still interested by then. On another note, would it be more appropriate to do the eyelets by hand? or is that just being too picky? Cook and Seamstress to the Half Moon Marauders Lady Brower's Treasures, Clothing and other treasures Hell Hath No Fury like the Wrath of a Woman... No that's it. She doesn't need a reason. www.myspace.com/halfmoonmarauders www.myspace.com/faerienoodle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Roberts Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 You can, if you have time . You could always do metal grommets, then cover them with stitching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelsbagley Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I'm working on my tent this weekend. Those diagrams are really helpful. I'll post pictures if people are still interested by then. On another note, would it be more appropriate to do the eyelets by hand? or is that just being too picky? My fly shelter is done with hand sewn eyelets... Mind you I did it last summer during a span when I couldn't work and had nothing else to do... I'm not sure if it is just my technique sucks, but I have yet to set a metal grommet that has not popped off on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Tignor Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 (edited) I second Lady Browers inquiry, for i too am sewing my tarp together this weekend(what are the odds lol), and was also wondering about the eyelets. One other question though, is whats the most appropriate setup for a tarp(or sail if you will) i was gonna do something similar to a diamond tent, for it seemed the very simple and functional. Good choice, or bad? Edit:good lord two answers poped up while i was posting LOL Edited June 25, 2009 by Mr.Tignor Monsieur René Truffaut - Sailor - grenadier - flibustier - free man (for now) .........I am french, why else would i have this outrageous accent, you silly man!..........You don't frighten me, English sea dogs. Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called "Capi-tain" you and all your silly English Pieeer-raghts........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelsbagley Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 This link was posted here (I think) years ago (by Patrich hand?)... It is a lengthy web page with dozens of different setups for simple square or rectangle tarp style shelters. This Link is for a PDF file version of the above link web page if you prefer PDF documents to web pages, I've had best luck in the past with the "Half Tetra" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Roberts Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I second that Mickey! I made one of those for our powder magazine at Black beard this year. Albeit a smaller version of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 http://www.ssentinel.com/index.php/videos/ go down about six videos and there are two segments on sewing sails. grommets is in one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tartan Jack Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Thanks for that link, Bagley! That is helpful for many configurations. -John "Tartan Jack" Wages, of South Carolina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tartan Jack Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 This link was posted here (I think) years ago (by Patrich hand?)...It is a lengthy web page with dozens of different setups for simple square or rectangle tarp style shelters. This Link is for a PDF file version of the above link web page if you prefer PDF documents to web pages, I've had best luck in the past with the "Half Tetra" That one is on page 32 of the PDF. It looks pretty good, easy to haul and set up (one large sheet and one pole). It says: Minimal protection from weather – only use as a Picnic groundsheet. How has that worked out in real use for the road-reenactor? -- I'm sure you've put it up to the test. -John "Tartan Jack" Wages, of South Carolina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyBarbossa Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Oooo... I like this... Sticky! Been pondering about a fly or a tent for multiple people to sleep in. Thanks for the info. :) ~Lady B Tempt Fate! an' toss 't all t' Hell!" "I'm completely innocent of whatever crime I've committed." The one, the only,... the infamous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Icouldn't find the post I was looking for..... but I think there might be some stuff in the 1720's Careening Camp thread for PiP all about sails and tarps as shelter....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelsbagley Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Icouldn't find the post I was looking for..... but I think there might be some stuff in the 1720's Careening Camp thread for PiP all about sails and tarps as shelter....... This is the link I think you are looking for Patrick... It is the "getting Tentage Ready for PiP" thread.... It is 18 pages long, there is a lot of banter in the thread... But tons more awesome information! Tartan Jack, that tent has held up to some pretty stiff rain... Nothing as hard as I have gotten recently in my wedge (which has held up better than hoped for!), but that "Half Tetra" shelter of mine is a lot better than what the quote on page 32 of that PDF file states. Now take into consideration, I used top notch canvas (a fustion 50/50 cotton linen blend), and I took the extra time to shrink the fabric, twice, as well as hand sewed the seams (remember, I had the time I was not working).... and some of the things I had the extra time to do may have factored into how well it has help up... But it is still a great and simple shelter with a bit of privacy. Miine is 13' X 13' (15' X 15' of fabric, minus shrinkage and minus seam allowances) and it sleeps two, perhaps a bit less space than is ideal, but livable. Another thing one should do if considering this design, is run an internal line from point "A" to point "E" to point "D" for extra support on the canvas, otherwise it tends to sag pretty badly and wastes a lot of space. You will alos lose a great deal of space at the "back" edge because the canvas is so close to the graound from the slope to be almost useless for the last couple of feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Henry aka Moose Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Okay - I was going to look for a used wall tent, but this thread has inspired me (Thanks Patrick and others) to make my own. I did some recon at the Home Depot and decided to make a wall tent that will be 9-3/4' wide, with 3' 9" walls, almost 7' high in the center and 14-3/4" long. It will take two 3'9"x14'9" tarps and two 11"9 x 14'9" tarps. I just picked up the tarps, 100' of sisal rope, eight 12" nails (stakes) and a grommet kit and enough grommets. My total so far is $135. Not as cheap as I thought, but after I get materials to make poles and some sealant for it and have it sewed once I cut it out, I should be under $200 for a nice wall tent that would cost???? I'll post my progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Tignor Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I must say i find it quite encouraging to see mooseworth take the "make it yourself" route. There seems like a number of all of us newbies are all goin at the same rate in getting ready for the future(PiP) lol. This is like the third project that we both happen to be working on at the same time....which is good....so that i know im not crazy...unless we all are................. Monsieur René Truffaut - Sailor - grenadier - flibustier - free man (for now) .........I am french, why else would i have this outrageous accent, you silly man!..........You don't frighten me, English sea dogs. Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called "Capi-tain" you and all your silly English Pieeer-raghts........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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