Buy or make Dinning Tarp and Fire Pan?

[brendodendo]

I am "almost" over winter and have started looking at things that make life easier on multi day trips. I would like a new fire pan. Where should I get this? I have a Superpuma, so not much room. Looked at Clavey, but to big. I want something simple with a lid and a grate. Was thinking a welding blanket underneath was a good idea. I had seen a decent one at Factory Surplus in G-wood but they do not carry anymore.
Also looking at dinning flys. The 12x12 noahs tarp from kelty seems decent for the $$$. better yet is http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/tundratarps.htm

Any ideas???

[stinginrivers]

A cheap answer for the dinning tarp is a bit of tarpology.

All you need is a standard tarp, 4 oars, 4 throw bags, and 4 bungee cords.

As long as you are running multi day trips you probably will have all of the quantities needed except the bungee cords.

Start out by finding the middle of your throwbag, go to a corner and wrap the tarp around the our handle and then attach it with a clove hitch with the bungee cord, attach the throw rope to both ends of the bunge cord. Then tie both ends of the throw rope to anything substantial. i.e. trees, bushes, big rocks, anything really. Repeat the same on each corner, make sure each rope is pulling away from each other and taught.

Now you have a cheap and easy kitchen tarp.

The reason for the bungee cords is that you will have winds blowing up and down the canyon as the day heats up or cools down, and if you get some really strong gusts the tarp can rip out because it is static, with the bungee cords it creates a dynamic tarp, also it helps keep that noisy tarp from flapping to much.

Enjoy the joys of tarpology

[brendodendo]

Great idea on tarpology. I a just a student of this art, but have done many tarp fly covers on rafts and at camp. I was looking for a more permanant structure. I was thinking that poles are over rated on the river, as I have 9 foot oars. Bunjies are a great idea for any tarp set up if made or bought. Have been toying with the idea of a welding blanket sewn into a box shape. say 24 x 18 x 3. I may have to oil the old singer, get a flat silica blanket and some fiberglass thread and go to town.

[El Flaco]

call the JJ Surprise at Raftin Styles in Salt Lake- he'll sell you a 4' by 4' welding tarp fo under $50.

http://www.raftinstyles.com/

[RDNEK]

look into partner steel out of somewhere in Id - they make a killer fire pan in about any size -

factory surplus - now there is a name to trust!

[brendodendo]

Found the one I was looking for. And Got it for $50 plus $20 to ship. Made by Rock Mountain Cookware. Has lid, legs and grate. 23 x 13 x 3.5 In. RMC does not make it anymore due to lack of demand. (???) Camp Cabin & Home in Id somewher had it and agreed to ship. Still looking for Tarp and may still get a welding blanket and try a sewn version of a fire pan.

[zbaird]

when sewing a silica blanky wear long shirt and gloves . fibers are nasty as all hell and you'll itch for days on any uncovered skin. do all cutting outside, better yet move the ol singer outside too because those fibers get EVERYWHERE !! still pickin those sharp lil bitches out.

[Andy H.]

"may still get a welding blanket and try a sewn version of a fire pan."

From what I understand, the fire blankets WILL burn through if you put coals on them or try to have a fire on them. They're good for catching little embers or things that fall out of the fire pan but not as a substitute for one.

-Andy