Colter
01-20-2004, 23:24
Lots of folks have pointed out the many pros to making your own gear, including potentially saving money, getting custom-made gear, trying out your own inventions, etc. These are all valid considerations.
I can honestly say I've made LOTS of gear, easily hundreds of items. (I work in a smokejumper parachute loft, and have made tarps, clothing, packs, rain gear, parachuting equipment, etc.) Most were existing designs, a few of these were my own design, some were modifications of old designs. While I think it's great to recognize the advantages of making your own gear (the improvement of gear being a big one) there are some big pitfalls.
One that I've found is that it usually takes lots more time than planned. The less experience you have the more time it will take. Folks that make the gear you buy at REI have probably sewed that exact same item thousands of times, and the design of the item is likely the result of improving pre-existing ideas and the correcting of design flaws.
Usually there are flaws in any new design that weren't forseen. If there is much complexity in the item you're making, you are very likely to make errors, possibly negating any cost savings. I've seen many new smokejumper pack designs for example. Through the years some of our more skilled folks have come up with some major design improvements. But nearly every time a new pack has to go through several prototypes to get all the bugs worked out.
Often you'll find you don't have "the right tool for the right job." Maybe your machine can't handle sewing the thicker seams.
There are a lot of factors that can be overlooked or miscalculated. For example, it's easy to forget to allow extra material that is taken up in seams, or to allow for the inevitable shrinkage sewing causes.
Be realistic in your expectations, and if your goal is merely to save $20 it might not be worth it.
All that said, if you've got a great idea, and research and developement is your thing, go for it. That's how technology progresses!
http://www.bucktrack.com/Appalachian_Trail.html
I can honestly say I've made LOTS of gear, easily hundreds of items. (I work in a smokejumper parachute loft, and have made tarps, clothing, packs, rain gear, parachuting equipment, etc.) Most were existing designs, a few of these were my own design, some were modifications of old designs. While I think it's great to recognize the advantages of making your own gear (the improvement of gear being a big one) there are some big pitfalls.
One that I've found is that it usually takes lots more time than planned. The less experience you have the more time it will take. Folks that make the gear you buy at REI have probably sewed that exact same item thousands of times, and the design of the item is likely the result of improving pre-existing ideas and the correcting of design flaws.
Usually there are flaws in any new design that weren't forseen. If there is much complexity in the item you're making, you are very likely to make errors, possibly negating any cost savings. I've seen many new smokejumper pack designs for example. Through the years some of our more skilled folks have come up with some major design improvements. But nearly every time a new pack has to go through several prototypes to get all the bugs worked out.
Often you'll find you don't have "the right tool for the right job." Maybe your machine can't handle sewing the thicker seams.
There are a lot of factors that can be overlooked or miscalculated. For example, it's easy to forget to allow extra material that is taken up in seams, or to allow for the inevitable shrinkage sewing causes.
Be realistic in your expectations, and if your goal is merely to save $20 it might not be worth it.
All that said, if you've got a great idea, and research and developement is your thing, go for it. That's how technology progresses!
http://www.bucktrack.com/Appalachian_Trail.html