DIY Duffel Bag

[Clarktar]

So, I have a couple pairs of old waders. I was thinking about using the material, along with a watertight zipper to make a duffel bag. I was wondering if any of you accomplished seamsters and seamstresss have a pattern? I know I can google duffel patterns and get all sorts of hits but I was hoping someone might have some actual feedback and use with a particular pattern.

Instead of purchasing an expensive waterproof duffel from NRS or Watershed, I thought this could be an affordable approach. Too bad those companies don't have there "pattern" available. But in the end, I am hoping to find a pattern that will create a bag similar to those. Something around the size of the Yukon would be great.

 

[colonel00]

Are you wanting it to truly be waterproof or just mostly water resistant? I ask because with any sewing, it will most likely have some leaks. Even if you seam seal or seam tape, there is still a chance that it can leak around the zipper if fully submerged. If you want something that can stand up to full submersion then I would suggest ponying up the money for a commercial product. Personally, I have a hard time trusting anything besides a roll-top dry bag for complete waterproof protection.

Looking at those NRS duffles, they almost look like they are laminated and sealed together as opposed to just sewn and taped.

 

[Clarktar]

I guess, I would be more interested in mostly water resistant. This bag is for the PR49 and I would not trust anything that CANT get wet in the bag. For electroniccs or anything of that nature I would have those in a seperate smaller commercial made dry bag. I was thinking this bag would house gear such as Tent, clothes and items that will not be RUINED if wet, they will just be wet. Full submergence is unlikely, but lot of spray and rain is!

Thanks Brad, somehow I knew you would be the first one to respond

 

[colonel00]

I will have to get some pictures but I actually made up a multifunction tarp similar to the one linked below. It is slightly different and a little bigger but it was designed to be able to cover gear on the front of the raft. Then it can also function as a pack cover, ground tarp, rain shelter (small), water holder, meat tarp, etc.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?9158-DIY-Pack-rain-cover-tarp

 

[Clarktar]

Cool! Maybe you can send me the pattern!

I am still in need of a duffel pattern. There is a company called Recycled Waders, and they make gear with your used waders. But they do not offer a duffel. They said they can make one, but I need to find a pattern to give them.

 

[Clarktar]

come on, no one out there has a pattern?

 

[colonel00]

Something like this?

http://www.saltwater-kids.com/2008/10/retro-duffel-bag-tutorial.html

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

come on, no one out there has a pattern?

I'm in the middle of a project that would probably work for you with some minor modifications. I don't have a pattern per se as I'm making it up as I go but I have some pics and could explain it.

 

[mtswampfox]

for patterns???
http://www.rockywoods.com/Patterns

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

That's a good resource there.

You could also just add handles to a large version of colonel00's pullout design.

 

[Clarktar]

True, I could make Brads pull out much larger, then add a more water resistant zipper, roll it and have clips midway to clamp it down. I am sure that was a horrible description. Live2Hunt you got any details on your project?

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I am making a pack bag. So far it is turning out similar to the EMR2 main bag. It could easily be made into a duffle by just adding another end instead of a roll top. I'd post pics but they don't mean an awful lot yet until it comes together. Its pretty good size, about 6500 cubic inches by my reckoning.

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, you could go with something like this but I would only use it as mentioned before for basic water resistance. You can see that in side in the middle is a Sea to Summit dry sack that has my quilt. The idea behind this bag was simply to provide a barrier from some light spray, a moderate rain shower or light snow or sitting on wet ground.

FWIW, I did try to seal the seams up a bit a few weeks ago when I was seam sealing the stove jack in my tent. I have been meaning to do it so tomorrow I will see just how waterproof it is by filling it with water...

 

[Clarktar]

Something like that would work I wonder if you can make the zipper tall. Let me explain: put your hands together palm to palm, and have then aligned on edge(pinkys on the bottom index finger on the top). Now imagine that the top edge where your hands are pressed together is the zipper, and basically the rest of your hand is material of the bag. With this much xtra material you could Roll the zipper a few times, then have some sort of quick clips and webbing to strap of the roller zipper holding the roll in place and compressing the bag some.

Does this make sense? It would seem that a bag like this would be very water resistant, maybe not submerge proof for any length of time but pretty dang water tight....

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I would think a good waterproof zipper and a little care seam seal would be sufficient.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Here is a pick of the bag I've been working on. You could easily put a bottom on top as well then throw a handle on it and have a duffle.

 

[colonel00]

Very fancy. Very blue too

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Its actually black but I had to turn up the flash see any detail

 

[colonel00]

Ok, here is a quick video. As mentioned, any seam is going to be a leak point even with moderate seam sealing. If you used PU nylon instead of Silnylon and taped the seams, I am sure it would do better. However, there is still the issue with the zippers and the fact that there is always a gap at the end of the zipper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVbvLfWwfsI

[video=youtube;fVbvLfWwfsI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVbvLfWwfsI[/video]

 

[Clarktar]

Nice bag Brad! That should work well on the front of the PR..... Is there a reason why a guy can not use a "Dry Zip" zipper?

Check out Sagebrush bags out of AK. They use a dry zipper. I wish I could afford their bags...