I like to make my own gear. The one project I have in the works now is making a a hot tent. I have an old cabin style tent that was damaged in a wind storm from a friend of mine and a stove I made from old hydraulic reservoirs. I also think it woudl be neat to make my own snow shoes someday. What have you made for winter camping?

the only thing i've made so far was the ambition to go sleep in the cold, cold tent style.

After doing that, it didn't seem near as bad as it could have been. I've been more uncomfortable during a cold night in July, than I did sleeping at 10,000 feet in Colorado last December.

BigZig.

I like your idea; I have tow old heavy canvas tents. I have thought about adding a stove jack to one or both of them. One is a nine by nine umbrella tent that I bought in 1968. Although it has seen a lot of camping (much of it in winter), it is still in pretty good shape. The other is a newer (1975) nine by twelve cabin style tent. It has been used very little and my be the best candidate for conversion.

Dan

The only thing I've really made so far were "cozy's" out of a foil bubble type insulation I bought at Menards. They help food stay warm while you eat. I also made some to wrap my water bottles to slow the freeze time.

BigZig and CaptnDan,
That's a good idea I see old canvas tents at rummage sales that could be bought cheap.
I would like to see pictures and instruction on adding that stove pipe sleeve when you finish.

I will take pictures if I ever get that far. So far I have bought some fiberglass material I plan on sewing into the tent. I know at Fleet Farm they sell a pipe fitting with a flange on it. A few pop rivets later I think it would be functional. Here is a picture of my stove.

BigZig; I love that stove!
I see another project coming. Guess I better fire up the MIG welder.
What gauge of metal did you use?

Dan

Have you used that in a tent yet?

Big Zig

What size sewing machine do you need to sew canvas? Can it be done on the normal size Singer type? Please post pics if ypou can of the project. I am looking a t a sled kit from Blackriver for the gear.

CB

I haven't used it in a tent yet. It is actually two old hydraulic reservoirs put together, with the bottom one being the support. I think I finally have enough air holes around it so it draws in.
I don't know what gauge the steel is, about 1/16" I think. I could cut it with my jig saw easily.
The powder paint job didn't burn off like I expected either.
Here is another shot of it I had from last spring.

Make sure it's highly adjustable.

You should be able to lock it up super tight, like prom night.

And you should be able to let it roar till it's red hot.

BigZig
Can you post some pics of your tent project?
CB

If I get the chance to work on it this weekend I'll take some. I don't have any yet because I haven't started on it. Just got the ideas in my head.

No wait that's the excuse I use at work...

I look forward to see your progress. What is the style of old tent are you starting out with?

CB

It is an old canvas style cabin tent. Maybe a colman brand? A friend gave it to me after it was damaged in a storm. I have not even unrolled it or set it up yet. I'll get a better feel for how much work it will take when I do that.

well, atleast it doesnt need to be bugproof. :)

Here is a nice link that I used to design a "no sew canvas tent"
However, I sewed three 18 foot lengths of 36" canvas (that I picked up on craigs list for $16) to make an 18 X 9 foot sheet. Built the "Miner's Tent"
Still haven't used it, but the test set-up was easy - I used a tree limb, but a pole would also work to hold the center up - no strings attached. Used a DIY gromet kit for the corners. Need to add a stove collar before winter use.

http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15595

I also have a great link to building a stove (Which I was able to get most of the materials for free - ended up costing $12 all said and done [minus the pipe collar and 'fire proof/retardant material]). This is my next project. The toolbox stove...

http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?p=248902&sid=70f220774dc98fbc447d29678dace206

I altered the design and put the vent in the rear as a regulated tube that will extend (like the chimney) to outside the tent (based on a passive air heater design) so that I'm not taking warm air from inside the tent to "breathe" the fire, but cold air from outside.

Hope this helps.

Nice reviving this post from the past, thanks for the links. I would love to see the tent and stove if you can post when complete. I am working on a stove myself right now and will do the same if I can finish it up soon.

Jerry

I made some snowshoes for my 5 yr old son out of old aluminum tennis rackets. they actually worked pretty well.