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gbrunwo became a registered member 5 years, 2 months ago
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 2 months ago
The past several months have sure tested my patience, but barring further delays, the new DIY Packraft fabric shipment will arrive in 2-3 weeks (early to mid-February). Then I will start making packraft kits […]
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Thanks for the update Matt! What weight fabrics will be available for purchase? I’m thinking about making an inflatable of my own design, but want to use your fabric.
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Unfortunately I probably won’t be offering bulk fabric sales other than the fabric that is already available in the shop – at least for a while – because it makes it really difficult to plan ahead and control the inventory when I get sporadic orders for large quantities of fabric and it takes so long to have new fabric made. (All the people who are waiting for an out of stock packraft kit can thank the person who ordered 100 m of fabric one day…) Helping people with their various projects also takes up a lot of time that I should be spending on packraft stuff.
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I understand bulk fabric isn’t a priority for you which is unfortunate. To clarify, I was not asking for, and people shouldn’t expect, any non-kit-project help from you other than selling the fabric.
You can set limits for the bulk quantities that people can buy (say 5m) which would help with your planning. I don’t think the person customers are thanking for waiting on out of stock kits is the 100m order guy.
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Touché.
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Thank you for the update! I’ve been checking constantly to see if the kits are back in stock as I want to get going on a Skeena in February :-). Will you have it in the red fabric? And I take it the seams and seat will be black?
I’ve also been searching everywhere for a leather iron. No luck on Alibaba, Amazon, local hobby shops, etc. What is the idea iron width to look for? Would also be happy to buy one second-hand from anyone who has completed their built and would be willing to sell theirs.
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Yep, red and black will be available! Ideally, you’d want an iron about 27 mm wide, give or take a few mm. I haven’t looked online lately, but you could post in the buy/sell page here in the forum and maybe someone will respond: https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/forum/diy-packrafts/
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I’ve been checking back in too for updates. Thanks for updating.
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Hi Mike – sure, I’ll send you an email.
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The average for a first time builder seems to be about 35 hours. (The answer to this question and many others are posted in the FAQ.)
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No, the ultralight material is too flimsy to make boats like that.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
Yep, that’s the stuff.
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Pilotpeat replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
Ok, thanks for checking. I have identified 3 small areas that have small leaks so wanted to make sure before I used the original stuff. Found some of what I believe is the original type you were using and have it on order. Does this look right?
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
The “Seam Grip +WP” is the same product that used to be called “Seam Grip” and you’re right – I just checked and “polyurethane” doesn’t appear anywhere on the new tube or packaging.
Most of the content on this site was written before they changed their product names and messed everything up, so I’m going back to add “+WP” everywhere Seam Grip is…[Read more]
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Orrtuppen became a registered member 5 years, 2 months ago
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Pilotpeat replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
I’m not seeing any current products on the Gear Aid website that state they work with Polyurethane. I thought I was safe going with Gear Aide Seam Grip and didn’t realize there were 5 or 6 different versions.
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Pilotpeat replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
Oh bummer. I have the whole raft completed except tiedowns! I’ll have to do what I can through the T-zip.
Looking around now I’m finding a several different versions of SeamGrip.
SeamGrip+SIL (silicone coated fabrics)
SeamGrip +WP (nylon, canvas, vinyl, rubber)
SeamGrip, white & blue tube (coated and uncoated polyurethane)
AuquaSeal+FD…[Read more]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
Hmm, yeah, that’s a problem. The “+SIL” stuff is “silicone tent sealant”, and will only stick to silicone coated fabrics, not polyurethane. It used to be called “SilNet,” but I guess they changed the name to “Seam Grip+SIL” for some reason. I will add a note to the instructions warning people not to confuse the two. Unfortunately I think you’ll…[Read more]
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Pilotpeat replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 2 months ago
I used Gear Aid Seam Grip. I just noticed when I checked the link where I bought it that it also has “+SIL” Not sure if that matters?
A few of the seams I powdered after they were cured 24+hrs. Others I just left alone. All had cured a week plus before I had this issue.
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
Interesting… what brand is it? I haven’t seen this with Seam Grip before (or any of the other McNett/Gear Aid polyurethane products), but I have seen it with all the other seam sealants I’ve tried, which is why I recommend the Gear Aid stuff.
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xraymtb replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
Looks great. I’m in the process of building a Skeena with the same trips (and more) in mind.
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Pilotpeat replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
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Pilotpeat replied to the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
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Pilotpeat started the topic Seam Grip Adhesion? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
First packraft is 99% done, just need to take care of a few minor air seeps and finishing touches like tiedowns.
Ran into an issue with the seam grip near the end of the assembly process after partially turning the raft inside out to seal the forward seam, it seems like the seam grip didn’t adhere in some areas and also it fractured along the…[Read more]
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Samsquanch replied to the topic Not Sealing Seams? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
Thanks. To try and minimize leaks, I actually reinforced all the points where the seam strip intersects the floor with a small TPU patch. I’m feeling brave. Think I’ll try without sealing and fix through T-Zip if needed. I’ll report back.
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Matt (Admin) wrote a new post 5 years, 3 months ago
The American Packrafting Association is hosting an online whitewater packrafting skills clinic called, “Boat, Don’t Float” presented by Mark Oats.
I’m not associated with Mark or the APA, but it looks like a […]
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Matt (Admin) replied to the topic Not Sealing Seams? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
I used to only seal around the places where the seam strips intersect with the floor, but in spite of my best efforts I always ended up with at least one leak that I had to track down, and finally I decided that for me (and most people) it is worthwhile to apply seam sealer to the inside of all the seam strips.
Because you have a zipper, it won’t…[Read more]
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styler became a registered member 5 years, 3 months ago
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Samsquanch started the topic Not Sealing Seams? in the forum DIY Packrafts 5 years, 3 months ago
I’ve completed welding all tubes/seams on either side of an UL, so only bow and stern seams remaining. It’s my second build and this time around I took more time to make sure the welds were tidy. I think they look good. I am at the stage where I should seal the seams, but I am wondering if I really need to. It will add a little weight and a little…[Read more]
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