DIY Packraft | Lyn St George | Activity https://www.diypackraft.com/members/lynsg/activity/ Activity feed for Lyn St George. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:50:51 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 0c2660f5fb4a75ed097b423deff9e156 Lyn St George posted a new activity comment https://www.diypackraft.com/2019/03/16/the-silicone-roller-my-new-favorite-tool/#comment-8555 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 15:58:25 -0700 I also have an 858D – squeeze a nozzle down to make a slot around 24mm wide. The air flow is quite low, so if it’s used at 220C or so the heat will spread out too much. Wind the temp up to 300 or more (even 400) and roll at a speed to suit and it will melt only the target you want. A bit like quickly searing a steak, rather than slowly cooking it…[Read more]

In reply to - Matt (Admin) wrote a new post For about $10 you can have a shiny new roller like this one. When heat sealing TPU coated fabrics together, it’s important to apply pressure to the fabric as it cools, otherwise it […] ]]> cae571320f9ce3b93e6086fc86bc36bf Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-7017 Sat, 08 Sep 2018 12:16:16 -0700 @Andrew. Bruce has posted some excellent reports on irons and I would consider his opinion definitive. You might also want to consider hot air guns, though not the one I reported on some months ago – this is one of many cheaper tools that don’t regulate the temperature and should not be considered.

Of the three ranges that Steinell make, their…[Read more]

]]> 0 71c25ec086229354bc0b2df5bd350b78 Lyn St George replied to the topic "long-term" use reports in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/long-term-use-reports/#post-6983 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 10:44:37 -0700 Looking at the site you’ve linked to, he pretty much admits that the problems are down to poor workmanship and poor tools. The photo shows a seam that will not only leak but quite possibly tear apart under serious stress. The situation is much the same as with anything else you might make, be it tent, shed or packraft: you need to have the right…[Read more]

]]> 0 e4908db1475c22355c48b540cb4731f8 Lyn St George posted a new activity comment https://www.diypackraft.com/activity/p/1526/#acomment-1528 Tue, 27 Feb 2018 18:03:07 -0800 I weld them with a Jingda iron, but just by laying the tube pieces flat and facing together. Imagine that you’re sewing the pieces together, so you add a seam allowance of 7 mm or so to each end of each tube piece and then, instead of sewing, you weld them on that seam allowance. This is where Alpacka sew theirs. You end up with a hull that’s…[Read more]

In reply to - Maynard posted an update @lynsg Lyn, I am curious as to how you pre weld your seams before you use a heat gun on the seams! Do you first. Weld them with a mini Iron over a curved surface then go over the whole […] ]]> 6159f18633576fa917b6cafed5b764d2 Lyn St George replied to the topic Hot air gun full report in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun-full-report/#post-5322 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:58:32 -0800 Thanks Bruce.
To my mind this is absolutely the right tool for any fabric that’s not UL, but it needs time to learn how to use it to the best advantage. I also have a little 700watt ‘solder re-work station’ thing which I tried once. Both temp and air-flow are easily controlled, but the thing is just a wimp, like using a candle when you need a…[Read more]

]]> 0 7fe50fc4be4beff479c2c7b5a288cd98 Lyn St George started the topic Hot air gun full report in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun-full-report/ Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:09:13 -0800 I have had this gun for several months now, and learnt its various quirks and ways it likes to be used. I will try to make this report detailed enough so that others can use one of these and benefit from my experiences.

For a long time it would do a series of perfect practice welds and then burn holes, or fail to weld. The reason turns out to…[Read more]

]]> 0 1f810244c646851c2411368ea332484c Lyn St George replied to the topic TiZip MasterSeal 6 in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/tizip-masterseal-6/#post-5101 Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:48:20 -0800 You can get masterseal 10’s from extremtextil.de in Germany. They currently have 23cm, 71cm and 91cm long zips. Or you can get superseals from lomo.co.uk, but these are much heavier and more expensive, more suited to the boat rather than the gear.

Cheers
Lyn

]]> 0 6f253ce5edeaff709abed0171baa0809 Lyn St George replied to the topic New seat design in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/new-seat-design/#post-4861 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 14:07:36 -0700 Just received some of these new red inflation and deflation valves, and I’m curious as to how well the deflation valves hold. I originally got these for dump valves on the reserve air bags in the tubes, but am thinking now of adding them to the main seats in the rafts and my new sleeping mat (rather than just holding the inflation valve open). On…[Read more]

]]> 0 3dabd48bea6133a3602c07b8113dcdda Lyn St George replied to the topic Inflation bag - update in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/inflation-bag-update/#post-4327 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 18:12:16 -0700 Have you considered adding a spout to it, like the Exped Schnozzel Pump? The schnozzel comes out of the side, not the bottom, so you can rest the bag on the ground away from whatever is being inflated and just “fall” on it. After a hard day when you feel like collapsing rather than inflating your sleeping mat, being able to ‘collapse’ on the pump…[Read more]

]]> 0 f595d29a1dbf0e0f8bff34032cc29438 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-4326 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 18:07:07 -0700 I’ve started using my Jingda “leather” iron again after all. Having ground and filed the bottom flat and the width down to 24mm, it really is quite good. The minimal temperature drift and massive heat retention is excellent. As for the shoe on mine bubbling, it has to be poor metallurgy. I have to assume that it’s made from recycled alloys, and…[Read more]

]]> 0 cd915d2db12d404c3ef0cd27a83b4fa4 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-4020 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 10:46:12 -0700 Re the leather iron from Aliexpress mentioned in Comments.

 

I’ve just used mine in earnest (though not on a boat, alas) and have to change my opinion. The shoe is a solid lump of alloy, yet after a few hours it bubbled! See the photo. It looked like a chrome plating with bubbles, but after taking it all apart it is actually solid. The bottom of…[Read more]

]]> 0 0463ee8a082a0e5488a9cf92062c11f1 Lyn St George replied to the topic What paddles? in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/what-paddles/#post-3662 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 18:56:54 -0700 I bought my MRS from the German store and got their Anfibio paddles too. For the new DIY rafts I have paddles from celticpaddles.com in Anglesey – they make a series specifically for packrafts, and these look the cat’s whiskers.

]]> 0 c08157db163c349fcef37653e408aae7 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-to-airtight-zipper/#post-3610 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:00:04 -0700 Aha – have just found a youtube video showing what you describe. So I guess this inner valve would also be ‘sticky and cling to itself’ as you mentioned before on your own gear. I’m dead keen on finding a replacement for zippers if possible, and was just thinking about making up a test rig of a bladder representing the hull with a ‘tube’ thing in…[Read more]

]]> 0 e6fa74b44c8cc3100afede4e35cf20f8 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative to airtight zipper in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-to-airtight-zipper/#post-3593 Sun, 09 Jul 2017 18:50:25 -0700 I made an air pillow once with a roll top, thinking that a dozen rolls ought to keep air in. It stayed up for a couple of hours but was always flat in the morning.

Thermarest have a new ‘speedvalve’ on one model Neoair. This looks like a roll top about 20cm wide. Towards the end of the video they say ‘tuck the black inner valve all the way…[Read more]

]]> 0 488362ec5ec69c3226e51a3fec2e9b91 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-3524 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:16:09 -0700 Check posts 2248, 2771, and 2901 for fabrics from Seattle and Rockywoods. There are many other posts here from people who have tried other fabrics and concluded that it was a mistake. Currently Matt is the only supplier offering the correct fabric to the public. I speak as someone who bought the wrong stuff in the past and will not again -…[Read more]

]]> 0 11fc5e0cdae1f50fdb1c5486edc2751d Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts https://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-3421 Thu, 08 Jun 2017 19:23:02 -0700 500den TPU Cordura from extremtextil

FYI: I have just made a test weld on this with a strip of Matt’s camo fabric, using the hot air gun, and can report that the result is perfect. The weld is very strong, and with no sign at all of heat damage to the fabric it can fairly be assumed to be the ’66’ variant. The TPU coating is thick and the cordura…[Read more]

]]> 0 fb5652404376d052e1e6303cec5efd2a Lyn St George replied to the topic Cruiser Stern in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/cruiser-stern/#post-3046 Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:23:20 -0700 For weight in the bow, I’m thinking that when the boat needs to be manoeuvrable in moving water then the pack should sit behind with me jammed back against it; but for better tracking on flat lakes and the like then the pack would be up ahead, sitting on the floor and leaning on the bow; when the gear needs to be certain of keeping dry then it…[Read more]

]]> 0 0b848865649c879a7ea013fc54e9f294 Lyn St George started the topic Cruiser Stern in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/cruiser-stern/ Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:15:54 -0700

This photo is of a prototype made of hot air balloon fabric, and I would like to ask for critical opinions before making the real thing.

I’m calling it the “Fat Arse” aka “Cruiser Stern”, and my thinking is as follows:

– I want to have the option of dumping a heavy pack in the cockpit behind me, but this raises issues of weight and buoyancy…[Read more]

]]> 0 aed793d6791e49dfc429071f2aeb5e37 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2921 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 09:53:39 -0700 I see it as a valuable addition to the toolbox that will be used on other jobs too. I have the 1500W version but there is a 1080W version on ebay for the price of a Clover iron, though you need to get the 20mm nozzle separately. Anyone who’s done any gas welding will find this a natural tool to use, though you need to develop some specific skills…[Read more]

]]> 0 e1880c2be9962ae231981ae472b57a8c Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-2901 Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:35:57 -0700 FYI: while the 70D is good and airtight (I made a sleeping mat out of it once), the 430D is not. The packcloth weave is encouragingly tough against scissors, but the coating is so thin that the edges fray. The weave shows through the coating. A quick welding test shows that the coating is not strong enough, and I cba making a seat cushion to test…[Read more]

]]> 0 adc8f5a748f54bccaf591296be5f4eb4 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-2900 Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:18:29 -0700 Would these be coming in the same shipment as the new green fabric, by some lucky chance? What sort of weight will the 420d be?

]]> 0 527f6b1ba25e16c8b10d58ebf3b43af3 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-2865 Sat, 01 Apr 2017 11:36:06 -0700 Perhaps, Matt, this would be a good time to add a note to your shop page about the risk of buying fabric from other sources that is not marked ‘nylon 66’, and a link to this thread (saying to read it all – it’s too easy to miss important bits in a long thread). Many of us have been caught by this issue now, and I’m sure that we would all regard…[Read more]

]]> 0 1072b2ba52e1ce711213f4e64d825c0f Lyn St George posted a new activity comment http://www.diypackraft.com/2017/03/27/diy-5-piece-carbon-paddle/#comment-1393 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 14:49:19 -0700 Congratulations Andreas, a beautiful piece of work there!

In reply to - Matt (Admin) wrote a new post Have a look at this beautiful 5-piece DIY carbon fiber packraft paddle made by Andreas H. – pretty good for a first attempt, I’d say! It’s made from 20×18 and 18×16 millimeter carbon […] ]]> 3d535fa876ca54931c126c9afef1df00 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-2773 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:03:03 -0700 Correction: the original 70d tpu fabric I bought some years ago was from SeattleFabrics, not extremtextil. As others so rightly say, their customer service is diabolically bad, to the point where I expunged the transaction from my memory and assumed that I had bought it from ExtremTextil instead. Despite that I have some samples from them now. The…[Read more]

]]> 0 3d535fa876ca54931c126c9afef1df00 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-2773 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:03:03 -0700 Correction: the original 70d tpu fabric I bought some years ago was from SeattleFabrics, not extremtextil. As others so rightly say, their customer service is diabolically bad, to the point where I expunged the transaction from my memory and assumed that I had bought it from ExtremTextil instead. Despite that I have some samples from them now. The…[Read more]

]]> 0 63afc00bffdb70a1ff2bb6ab0d39ecc7 Lyn St George replied to the topic DIY Packraft Photos in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-packraft-photos/#post-2612 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 12:37:57 -0800 If you’re thinking of buying this fabric Hiroshi, then the general consensus here is to not buy it. Extremtextil have some very heavy tpu coated nylon which they describe as ‘high tenacity’, but all the others are not, and the fabric melts at almost the same temperature as you need for welding. Andreas says he will buy Matt’s fabric next time, not…[Read more]

]]> 0 a9a6abcb41cc18ac8199a86b81aaa959 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2589 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:50:17 -0800 The alumuminium bar is only 15×0.9mm (barely strong enough) and the original bolt is plenty long enough for this thickness.

]]> 0 a9a6abcb41cc18ac8199a86b81aaa959 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/reply/reply-to-heat-sealing-tools/#post-2589 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:50:17 -0800 The alumuminium bar is only 15×0.9mm (barely strong enough) and the original bolt is plenty long enough for this thickness.

]]> 0 a9a6abcb41cc18ac8199a86b81aaa959 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun/#post-2589 Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:50:17 -0800 The alumuminium bar is only 15×0.9mm (barely strong enough) and the original bolt is plenty long enough for this thickness.

]]> 0 955f3ed7116cd4fdec1cf0021415e435 Lyn St George replied to the topic DIY Packraft fabrics: Green in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/split-diy-packraft-fabrics/#post-2583 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 19:35:34 -0800 343 seems to be a clear favourite – and a worthy one too, nicely dark and stealthy. Any chance of getting this colour into stock soon?

]]> 0 e3a41cce01fa907663d7afcc11391ff6 Lyn St George replied to the topic some questions in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/some-questions/#post-2582 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 19:32:16 -0800 Yes, though Tyvek tape will also do. If you have finished the process that Mike and Matt described, then applying this tape inside would be a good idea. I have only seen inside an MRS but I suspect that other manufacturers also seam-tape inside as well.

]]> 0 906badf69a5f3b4c2776d1e35765f343 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2580 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:06:01 -0800

 

Here it is – it proved better to add a second guide at the rear to feed the tape straighter into the forward guide.

]]> 0 906badf69a5f3b4c2776d1e35765f343 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/reply/reply-to-heat-sealing-tools/#post-2580 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:06:01 -0800

 

Here it is – it proved better to add a second guide at the rear to feed the tape straighter into the forward guide.

]]> 0 906badf69a5f3b4c2776d1e35765f343 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun/#post-2580 Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:06:01 -0800

 

Here it is – it proved better to add a second guide at the rear to feed the tape straighter into the forward guide.

]]> 0 35f97fd8ed5e718ba5ef4f9350aec992 Lyn St George replied to the topic some questions in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/some-questions/#post-2576 Sun, 26 Feb 2017 12:49:57 -0800 I can’t really tell from the photo if you have a cargo zip, but if so could you get inside and apply some of Matt’s Tuck Tape over all the seams? I would do what Mike says first, and then run that tape over all the seams inside if possible. Looking inside my MRS X2, it has some sort of sealing tape over all the seams.

]]> 0 8d446bd32c3dff8d52429db704523503 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2552 Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:20:56 -0800 When I get a minute I’ll make a little guide to bolt in front of the roller – something to feed the seam tape through as it comes from behind the roller and allow it to be steered. Will also keep the tape at a flatter angle to the fabric and closer to the gun, and add a little drag to keep it taut. Fiddling around with fingers and thumbs is too awkward.

]]> 0 8d446bd32c3dff8d52429db704523503 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/reply/reply-to-heat-sealing-tools/#post-2552 Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:20:56 -0800 When I get a minute I’ll make a little guide to bolt in front of the roller – something to feed the seam tape through as it comes from behind the roller and allow it to be steered. Will also keep the tape at a flatter angle to the fabric and closer to the gun, and add a little drag to keep it taut. Fiddling around with fingers and thumbs is too awkward.

]]> 0 8d446bd32c3dff8d52429db704523503 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun/#post-2552 Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:20:56 -0800 When I get a minute I’ll make a little guide to bolt in front of the roller – something to feed the seam tape through as it comes from behind the roller and allow it to be steered. Will also keep the tape at a flatter angle to the fabric and closer to the gun, and add a little drag to keep it taut. Fiddling around with fingers and thumbs is too awkward.

]]> 0 d70ca133bd0f8d35e1e152dc85589de3 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2549 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 20:11:34 -0800 I haven’t yet had time to do more than a couple of hours testing, but it’s quite practical to use the gun in one hand and the roller in the other, following directly behind the gun. It also seems to work well, though it will need more practice, to wrap the seam tape over the roller so it trails behind, and use the roller in your palm and two…[Read more]

]]> 0 d70ca133bd0f8d35e1e152dc85589de3 Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2549 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 20:11:34 -0800 I haven’t yet had time to do more than a couple of hours testing, but it’s quite practical to use the gun in one hand and the roller in the other, following directly behind the gun. It also seems to work well, though it will need more practice, to wrap the seam tape over the roller so it trails behind, and use the roller in your palm and two…[Read more]

]]> 0 d70ca133bd0f8d35e1e152dc85589de3 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/reply/reply-to-heat-sealing-tools/#post-2549 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 20:11:34 -0800 I haven’t yet had time to do more than a couple of hours testing, but it’s quite practical to use the gun in one hand and the roller in the other, following directly behind the gun. It also seems to work well, though it will need more practice, to wrap the seam tape over the roller so it trails behind, and use the roller in your palm and two…[Read more]

]]> 0 d70ca133bd0f8d35e1e152dc85589de3 Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun/#post-2549 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 20:11:34 -0800 I haven’t yet had time to do more than a couple of hours testing, but it’s quite practical to use the gun in one hand and the roller in the other, following directly behind the gun. It also seems to work well, though it will need more practice, to wrap the seam tape over the roller so it trails behind, and use the roller in your palm and two…[Read more]

]]> 0 88e7813eb13db8aaca656778f694678e Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2545 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:03:41 -0800 After becoming disillusioned with my broken down sealing tools, I sat and watched youtube videos on hot air welding guns and then went and bought
 this one from ebay.

I’ve only had it a couple of days and only played briefly with it, but I’m very impressed. It comes with various bits including a 20mm flat nozzle and a silicone roller, is nicely…[Read more]

]]> 0 88e7813eb13db8aaca656778f694678e Lyn St George replied to the topic Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/heat-sealing-tools/#post-2545 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:03:41 -0800 After becoming disillusioned with my broken down sealing tools, I sat and watched youtube videos on hot air welding guns and then went and bought
 this one from ebay.

I’ve only had it a couple of days and only played briefly with it, but I’m very impressed. It comes with various bits including a 20mm flat nozzle and a silicone roller, is nicely…[Read more]

]]> 0 88e7813eb13db8aaca656778f694678e Lyn St George replied to the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum Heat-sealing tools http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/reply/reply-to-heat-sealing-tools/#post-2545 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:03:41 -0800 After becoming disillusioned with my broken down sealing tools, I sat and watched youtube videos on hot air welding guns and then went and bought
 this one from ebay.

I’ve only had it a couple of days and only played briefly with it, but I’m very impressed. It comes with various bits including a 20mm flat nozzle and a silicone roller, is nicely…[Read more]

]]> 0 88e7813eb13db8aaca656778f694678e Lyn St George started the topic Reply To: Heat-sealing tools in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/hot-air-gun/ Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:03:41 -0800 After becoming disillusioned with my broken down sealing tools, I sat and watched youtube videos on hot air welding guns and then went and bought
 this one from ebay.

I’ve only had it a couple of days and only played briefly with it, but I’m very impressed. It comes with various bits including a 20mm flat nozzle and a silicone roller, is nicely…[Read more]

]]> 0 0db9b2b2a7a6a5368af4a02ca1bbdc59 Lyn St George replied to the topic What plans/kits would you like to see next? in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/what-planskits-would-you-like-to-see-next/#post-2535 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:43:34 -0800 The tubes folding up was an issue even in flat water, and I imagine that in broken water it might well get swamped. Part of the trouble with the MRS X2 is that it doesn’t have a top-up valve usable while paddling – you have to pull up on the bank to top up the pressure. If I were to keep the boat I would definitely add one and that would partly,…[Read more]

]]> 0 18e16555ff2c6c1250afe105e54ee240 Lyn St George replied to the topic Alternative sources for fabric and other materials in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/alternative-sources-for-fabric-and-other-materials/#post-2527 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 11:34:33 -0800 Rather more than imitation, it looks almost like a straight rip-off. A whois shows the site was registered on 5.01.2017 by a Nick Kowalski in Somerset. The videos and instructions are “available after purchase of a kit” – why are these not public??? He will sell you a sample pack of red, blue and black fabrics, but only sells the kit in green.…[Read more]

]]> 0 adb05eb6e5903a8ef8daf3af8950dfc1 Lyn St George replied to the topic What plans/kits would you like to see next? in the forum DIY Packrafts http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/what-planskits-would-you-like-to-see-next/#post-2409 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 11:17:31 -0800 Could I make a suggestion here. I plan to use Exped flat valves on my two boats, partly because we have Exped sleeping mats now and it makes sense to use the same schnozzle pump for both. These are excellent little valves anyway, quite unobtrusive and well proven to be reliable. The only negative is the cost – you have to cannibalise an Exped item…[Read more]

]]> 0 fb0a06930c10b727da229d408326a022 Lyn St George replied to the topic in the forum http://www.diypackraft.com/forums/topic/diy-packraft-fabrics/#post-2310 Tue, 31 Jan 2017 18:49:21 -0800 Wouldn’t it avoid confusion if we simply deleted this thread?

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