Here is my 620g version of a Hex 3. It is made out of a silicone spinnaker fabric called Dynakote 75. It took me around 10hrs to make. It was computer designed and plotted on a laser cutter at the sail loft I work at.

I stuck it together using a japanese double sided tape, this has eliminated the need for seem sealing but has added aprox 100g to 120g to the final weight.

All photos were taken with a wind speed of 25+knts. It was extremly stable and has a taught pitch.

Front view of door


Side view of double vents


Vent close up


Corner detail


Inside vent detail


CN 13 pole sleeve


Perimeter mesh

Edited by nick_beaudoin on 06/13/2010 22:26:05 MDT.

looks pretty sweet. cool project!

That looks good. The top vents appear to have mosquito netting. Is it possible to seal them for a storm? Or, does the yellow piece cover them enough that rain can't be blown in?

--B.G.--

Can you describe the properties of the tape? What sort of adhesive is able to stick to silicone under tension? Did you use it to stick the bug mesh too?

The vents are no see-um and are covered with the same silicone fabric, just in yellow. The vents are also stiffened at the peak.

I have had it out in an all night rain with no drips. Just a little misting through the fabric

Note the vents stick up

Some space inside

Dennis,

I used the tape to help join the panels. I'm a sailmaker so thats how I do things. It helps with acuracy but takes a bit longer to do. All seems are sewed with a double straight stitch. Tape can not take any load alone.

Yes the mesh is also stuck on with the same tape.

Edited by nick_beaudoin on 06/13/2010 21:23:42 MDT.

Looks absolutely professional.

I'd also like to know more about the tape.

It's one of a dozen different types of double sided tapes we use in sailmaking. It's just 9mm Kikusui.

Nick,

So do you tape it first and then sew? What style of seam are they?

And do you have some dimensions?

Very nice looking piece. Congratulations.

Rod

beautiful project!

Very nice work!

Rod,
They are a flat felled seem. Like building spinnakers I join the pieces using the seem stick first then sew. But when building sails we never use this seem EVER.

The camp site is right on the beach in the photos and it was very windy all night. I truly believe that the tipi held up so well because of the seems and the cloth orientated along the seems for strength.

As for the dimensions they are :


And thanks everyone for the positive feedback

Edited by nick_beaudoin on 06/14/2010 00:26:12 MDT.

Beautiful tent Nick!

I used my old Hex3 this weekend and it's one of my favorite tents. Is the mesh on the bottom attached with the tape and no sewing?

Nick,

Maybe when you get a chance you could put up something about the process you sailmakers use with tape for seams. Because judging by your seams and flawless pitch we all might have something to learn from you.

Paul

nick beaudoin, I have a question about pictures, that you show
Where is the central pole in realy? It looks like it stand on the stomach of the man in center :)
P.S. Sorry for my english

It's really a 2 person shelter, with plenty of room for gear. You can offset the centre pole to have enough space for 3 in a pinch.

I have understood. Thanks.

Nick, how did you go about making the mesh vents? I know you said you taped the no-see-um in place with the tape and then sewed, but did you do any kind of seam to finish the edge to prevent fraying?

I did a 12mm fold over (mesh back onto itself), so I sewed through two layers of mesh.

i bet it got a lot of crispy noise under that wind speed!:P