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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 4 months ago
Several people have asked for details about the new ultralight 40D ripstop heat sealable fabric available in the shop. At 100 grams per square meter (3 ounces per square yard), it’s very lightweight and packs down […]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 4 months ago
Thanks to Steven S. for sending a link to this inexpensive rheostat. It might be helpful for those using a regular (non-adjustable) soldering iron as their heat-sealing iron because it would allow them to dial in the perfect temperature.
Due to the solid state electronics in mini irons like the Clover, I’m not sure if it would work with them, but…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 4 months ago
I have just added two new fabrics to the DIY Packraft Shop – 420D with TPU coatings on both sides, and 1000D with extra thick TPU coatings on both sides.
These are relatively expensive, heavier fabrics, and […]
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It will be combined with single-sided fabrics.
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There will be two different versions – one with a 1000D floor, and another with partial 1000D tubes as well. The price for the former will likely be similar to the current kits with double layer floors or a bit more, and the latter will be a bit more than that. The exact amounts will depend on how efficiently I can utilize the fabric. As I’ve said from the beginning, the point of the DIY Packraft project is to make packrafting more affordable.
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What do you think about adding a layer of the new thick fabric on the inside floor of an existing packraft? Would it bond ok?
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As long as it’s a TPU-to-TPU bond, it will work fine. Cheers
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Self-bailing floor? in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 4 months ago
Hi Jim,
My recommendation is to install a couple of these valves in the floor, at the sides near the rear, where they won’t be covered by your seat. When the valves are open, the packraft is self-bailing, and when they’re closed (on flat water) it’s dryer and lighter (because you’re not hauling water in the boat).
You could also model a…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Inflation bag in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 4 months ago
This is a great idea!
I’ll tinker with it a bit myself using 40D ripstop instead of Cuben.
Thanks, Jamie!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 4 months ago
Cool – please let us know how it goes!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 4 months ago
I was thinking of something along the same lines, but all the roll-top drybags I’ve owned aren’t airtight – they keep water out, but if you sit on them they slowly deflate – so I was thinking of a closure more like the slide-on clips found on hydration bags (Camelback, etc.). I don’t know how to make one of those though, and it would have to be…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 4 months ago
It is not just a dream. After experiencing delays at literally every possible step between order and delivery (totaling almost five months!) the fabric shipment has finally arrived. Yes, friends, I have touched it […]
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i’m so happy for you…
… and for us!
If each of us have a tear, and if we share all our tears, maybe we should create a lake to paddle on? -
Hey Matt,
great news, nice to hear!
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No, I’ll make an announcement on the blog whenever new products are available.
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Yay! Im so glad its finally in your hands!! My order still says back ordered, will I receive my order soon now that you finally got the fabric? Is there any way to get an eta, it is a suprise gift for my husbands birthday…
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Hi Katelyn – yep, I’m catching up on orders now, and yours should ship in the next day or so. Please watch for a shipping confirmation email. Thanks for your patience!
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic New seat design in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 5 months ago
Done.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic New seat design in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 5 months ago
Hi Josh,
Sure, I’ll try to get that done today. You can see a couple pictures of it in a packraft here, but I’ll take some pictures of just the seat as well.
Cheers,
Matt
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 5 months ago
The fabric shipment was finally released from Customs this morning after weeks of radio silence. Randomly or otherwise, they took a special interest in this particular shipment and removed it to an off-site […]
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Sorry to hear about you having to postpone your trip, but thanks for the update! I hope the news relieves some stress and maybe even a few good things start coming your way!
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Thanks! I hope so too 😀
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Oh what a bummer!! This must be why I haven’t received the order I placed on June 16th. I was really hoping to have this by tomorrow as a suprise for my husbands birthday. He has wanted one for soo long! Will I get a notification when it does ship?
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Hi Katelyn – yep, I’m catching up on orders now (in the order they were received) – yours should ship in the next day or so. Please watch for a shipping confirmation email. Thanks for your patience!
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Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate it!
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 5 months ago
Bad news first:
Remember when there was that Customs delay last month? Well that was the export Customs office. Now the fabric shipment is in Canada, and here we have our very own Customs officers and apparently […]-
Hi Brian – thanks for the tip. I’ve been in touch with the broker and freight forwarder on an almost daily basis and they both confirm it’s Customs holding it up, but yeah, I’ve had shippers, brokers, and forwarders screw things up in the past. I’ve learned not to sit back and assume everyone is doing their job perfectly all the time… unfortunately.
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 5 months ago
It’s been a while since I uploaded any new pictures or videos, so when I went paddling today my plan was to bring my cameras and get some interesting shots; unfortunately, I managed to forget both my tripod and my […]
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 5 months ago
I don’t have any confirmed dates yet, but it’s been a while since my last fabric update, so here’s where things stand now:
The fabric is in Vancouver and should be released from Canada Customs tomorrow, after […]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Help & Questions re: DIY Packraft Construction in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 5 months ago
Hi John,
The heat-sealed bonds are actually stronger than the fabric itself (you can see this demonstrated in the fabric comparison video), so reinforcing the seams by sewing or adding wider strips over them would not increase the durability of the packraft overall unless you reinforce the tube fabric as well. You could do this by adding an extra…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 5 months ago
Returning customers will notice that there are now more shipping options available during checkout. These prices are pulled directly from Canada Post’s website and are based on your delivery address and the […]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 5 months ago
Thanks for the excellent pictures and the review! This is useful information for everybody. I’m glad you had a successful journey 😀
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 5 months ago
Beauty!! Thanks for posting, and thanks for the tip about the Neo Air Xlite!
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 7 years, 5 months ago
Yesterday I made some changes to the back end of the DIY Packraft shop to make payments easier for people outside the US. The most noticeable change is that now prices can be displayed in your local currency, and […]
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Hi Matt,
Please Hong Kong dollar to both display and drop-down.
Format is,
HK$1,234.56
Thousand separator is a comma.
Decimal separator is a full stop.
Two digits to the right of full stop (cents).Thanks for adding and making our life easier.
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Done! Thanks 🙂
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts 7 years, 6 months ago
Nope, they’re different – TPU is heat sealable, while PU is not. You can read more about them on the Fabrics page. Cheers!
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Matt: Thank you! I am one of those awaiting your input on this. I look forward to the video.
How does it compare to the red 40D taffeta? I will know soon enough as I ordered some a week ago but I would like your take on it as well. As always, I appreciate your efforts. Ron Samber
Hi Ron – the older high threadcount 40D taffeta was about twice as heavy as this new stuff, but it wasn’t twice as strong, so as far as weight vs. strength goes, I think this is a better option for ultralight applications.
Yes, that’s right 🙂
Interesting… Yeah, I know of a couple of people who have tried using Cuben fiber and tape for inflatables, and the problem with the tape is that it migrates over time under pressure and eventually the seams pull apart (in a packraft, anyway – it seems to work fine for other applications where there’s less tension on the seams). It’s also prone to punctures, as you mentioned. The Porcher fabric sounds interesting, but I guess it would have to be sewn and taped.
I’m not sure, but regardless, I always recommend purchasing a fabric sample pack so you can compare fabrics directly.