I'm new to posting on BPL, but have been reading the forums for awhile now. Great community! I'm looking at making some of my own roll-top (with clasp) dry bags out of Sinylon or Ripstop Nylon with DWR or other waterproof material.

Does anyone have a materials list or plans on making various sizes of dry bags? I'm actively involved in Cub Scouts and we go on a ton of canoe trips and other water activities and would like to make some of my own gear. Sewing the bag material is easy enough, but getting the right materials for the roll-top strapping/support is where I'm confused, along with some good sources for waterproof material.

The search function isn't working for me as planned. Any information/ parts lists/materials suppliers you could provide would be very useful. I'd like to make a dozen of these and give them out as gifts to the scouts. With that said, these don't need to be ultralight Cuben material, but any cheaper waterproof material would suffice.

Sources for fabric:

Rockywoods.com
Diygearsupply.com
Thru-hiker.com
Owfinc.com
Seattlefabrics.com

All these places also sell hardware (buckles, etc) and webbing.

For stiffening a rolltop closure, I've used scraps of plastic strapping, like the kind used to hold rolls of fiberglass insulation and other building materials together. Free from the dumpster at the lumber yard. Sew a tube around the top of the bag, either by folding over the bag material, or sewing on webbing or grosgrain ribbon. Insert two lengths of plastic, and maybe bar tack them in place. In fact, the webbing alone may be all the stiffening you need.

Plenty of other sources of cheap, thin, light plastic as well.

"...I've used scraps of plastic strapping, like the kind used to hold rolls of fiberglass insulation and other building materials together. Free from the dumpster at the lumber yard."

I've pondered this very question and you have just inspired me to go dumpster diving...

Thanks?

BM

Edited by Ultra_Magnus on 09/23/2011 12:06:22 MDT.

I wouldn't put anything that has to stay perfectly dry, in a sil nylon dry bag. You'll probably still get a little bit of leakage if it sits in a puddle of water long enough...

http://www.paddlewise.net/topics/boatequip/drybag.pdf

http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/guille/wiki.pl?Drybag/How_To_Build_Your_Own

been wanting to do this myself, have fun!

I agree, silnylon is not totally waterproof, in my experience

It's okay for tarps

For a pack or groundsheet, it will leak

If you coat it with 10:1 mineral spirits:silicone then it will be waterproof but you may have to re-treat it occasionally