oakback
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Post by oakback on Oct 2, 2018 8:29:03 GMT -8
This is for a 10-year-old, but I'd like it to be able to support an adult, just in case. The wall framing is strong enough, and I figured I'd use aluminum pipe for the sides. But what type of fabric should I use? And how do you find the right measurement? Meaning, it'll have a fixed width, but there must be some excess for it to sag some, or perhaps would it stretch at all?
I've seen some online where, rather than having a tube sewn where the pipe slides through, it wraps around and meets underneath the middle with lacing for tightening or loosening. Would this be preferable to a sleeve sewn for the pipe to slide into?
Any tips or suggestions is welcomed.
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Oct 2, 2018 8:42:47 GMT -8
Oops, just found this thread that has a lot of answers: linkI see some folks have used duck cloth or canvas, but there isn't a lot of discussion about that. Is that the best option? |
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Oct 2, 2018 11:52:04 GMT -8
Duck cloth is good it is strong but a heavy canvas fabric would also be a good choice. As far as construction of the cot I’m not sure about the lace up idea I guess I would think It will make it more libel to tear unless it was a piece of fabric added to the larger bunk fabric and the lacing added to that. The fabric will have some give the more weight you put on it the more it will sag so you want it snug or it will not be comfortable to sleep on
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CorvettCrzy
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Oct 2, 2018 16:42:30 GMT -8
I used "duck canvas" from JoAnn's. Not sure if that's different from "canvas" or "duck cloth". Our daughter (8 year old) slept on it for our 2 week vacay. I was worried about making it too tight. Now I wish I would have made it taught. It did stretch, however, I believe once it reaches a certain limit it stops. I am going to tear out a couple seams and make it tight again. My daughter is comfortable in it but we would like some additional space underneath her. I will be posting some pictures and updating the above thread with some info. NOTE, The seams from adding the decorative yellow on the ends prevented that area from stretching as much, which will make it a little more difficult to resize. But I think it would be uncomfortable to sleep on such seams. Also pay close attention to the warp/fill of the fabric. Most fabric will stretch more in one direction than the other. I did check this and made sure to use the less stretchy side. The other way would have been much worse. Bunk before use.  2 days left by Corvett crzy, on Flickr |
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CorvettCrzy
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Oct 2, 2018 17:29:40 GMT -8
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Mar 20, 2019 10:09:07 GMT -8
Thanks, we did go with duck canvas from Joann's. I guess my measurements were a bit off, because it was tight getting it on to the pipes. Which is good, because it did stretch quite a bit with our boy up there.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Mar 21, 2019 3:56:36 GMT -8
Thanks, we did go with duck canvas from Joann's. I guess my measurements were a bit off, because it was tight getting it on to the pipes. Which is good, because it did stretch quite a bit with our boy up there. can you post the pics of yours here I saw them in your thread but others could benefit from seeing yours set up. I have plans of making one also. I'm still a few mounts from that point in my build but I want to add the mounting brackets before I put the skin on the camper. I'm calling it a Medic litter because that's how it looks when its in place. Oakback has grate pics of his in his thread, and the way he has his set up to store when not is use is cool. |
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Mar 21, 2019 5:14:50 GMT -8
Thanks for the kind words! For anyone else doing some online searching, the sailboat folks also call it a "root berth". Here it is set up for use. I purchased closet hanging hardware and pipes, they were labelled as "heavy duty", but with no weight limits listed. My 4 main mounts are screwed into supporting studs. Testing it was a nervous experience, especially with all the windows so close:  You can see the first pic that there are extra mounts at the rear, to move it out of the way when not in use. We could leave the bedding in it and just leave it hanging, or put away the bedding and roll it up like this:  I'd like to add plastidip on the pipe ends, to hopefully reducing any potential scratching of the walls/windows when moving the pipe. |
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