Homemade thermal top?

[magicstix]

Has anyone made thier own thermal top? Or given it thought? What materials would you use? I heard Clam use to sell a thermal top insert but no longer does. This is what got me thinking. How much work and how many hours on the sewing machine?

[AaronM]

It's actually a quite easy process to do using Reflectix. You can find it at Fleet Farm. Very beneficial with retaining heat in your house, as well as reflecting any light, making your house quite a bit brighter. You can do a search on here to find topics discussing how to install, but most are using tape or needle and thread to secure it. Some have even found that the material holds itself up well when secured by the bracing.

Not too much work, and fairly straightforward project.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ome#Post2724087

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2718274/2

[magicstix]

Anything out there besides Reflectix? I was thinking something like Thinsulate or some other material.

[CaptainMusky]

I have never seen thinsulate consumer available other than in clothing. Reflectix is cheap though. I cant imagine thinsulate if it were available an inexpensive option.

[tsande00]

I'm guessing you could buy some thinsulate (I found 25 yards online for $150, and sandwich it between 2 other light fabrics and then mount it to your portable but that sounds like a lot of work and a lot of sewing.

I also used Thinsulate. Quick/easy and insulates well. The bonus light factor is also a plus.

Good luck.

[BartmanMN]

I suppose with a commercial sewing machine, a 2nd piece of tarp, and some isulating material you could go to town, however Reflectix has gotten me by the last few years and I actually really like the like reflection that it offers with my LED's.

[mccullen]

Refelectix and duct tape get my vote. For $30 and an hour or so of time to install it can't be beat.

If you want it to be perfect and sew it why not just order a thermal canvas made for your shack? Doesn't make sense to me that you would waste time at a sewing machine, with a high probability of screwing it up, when the company makes exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

[minneman]

Just get a packing/moveing blanket and some clothspin type clamps and clamp the blanket over the top.

Use the blanket to protect your goods on the way to n fro in your sled.

[magicstix]

tsandee00, You have done the thinsulate or it was an idea? What kind of fabric did you use for sandwich or what would you suggest? From what I've read it seems like polyester/nylon is a good choice but not so easy to find. Thanks.

[Eric_Kruger]

movers blanket is what I have seen used

[aanderud]

tsandee00, You have done the thinsulate or it was an idea? What kind of fabric did you use for sandwich or what would you suggest? From what I've read it seems like polyester/nylon is a good choice but not so easy to find. Thanks.

Judging by the context in his post where he said that he both thought the thinsulate sounded like too much work and that the 'thinsulate' he used helped in lighting, I'm guessing he meant to say he used Reflectix.

[magicstix]

I read his post a couple times but refectix does make more sense in his sentence.

I did pickup some thinsulate today but need to find a barrier for the backside yet.

Got 8yds for $40 on sale.

[tsande00]

I read his post a couple times but refectix does make more sense in his sentence.

I did pickup some thinsulate today but need to find a barrier for the backside yet.

Got 8yds for $40 on sale.

Sorry, yes I meant to say I used reflectix. I'm curious how your thinsulate works out though. Keep us posted.

What about using that 3M spray adhesive between the thinsulate and a backing material? I've seen that used on other fabric applications and it worked very well. I bet it could greatly simplify what you're trying to accomplish. Likely with a lot less bulk then the reflectix. Good luck.

[magicstix]

yep I'll keep you posted. It'll probably be 2-3wks before I'm done. I'll look into that adhesive.

My biggest problem is finding a suitable interface to put on the insulation side. The ladies at the fabric store have been great,funny and a big help. Their also getting a hoot outta me and all my questions. And they've been talking, stopped in the other night, different gal there, asking some questions and she says "your that guy with the icehouse". i'm thinking oh boy.

[WTN4ICE]

I jumped on the refletix bandwagon two years ago and added it to my Voyager.It makes a difference in heat retention and reflected light but I never liked the added bulk when folded down.My Voyager is modded out with the auger mounted behind the seats and the extra bulk has been a pain in the rear.I bought a thermal cap for a Clam 6800 that is going to get cut down to fit the Voyager.My hope is it will give me the same advantages as the reflectix with less bulk.

I think the Canvas Craft flip over with Norpac with the trap link would be the ideal set up.I don't know if there would be any legal issue with adding the trap link to there existing cover or not.

My buddie Curt also has a Voyager with the link and we often hook them together sometimes with the 6800 in the middle then four of us can fish together.

I have the fitted piece of refletix that came out and eleven feet of the four foot still in the roll FREE to anyone that wants it. Come and get it and it's yours !!!

I am in south Fargo by Esentia Hospital (Innovis) 701-799-0280.

[magicstix]

UPDATE: I finally got around to this deal on 1-2-13. I've spent a couple hours here and there on it and alot of time today to finish it up.

So would I do it again? No probably not, too much time invested.

What did I learn? I'd do it in smaller panels and stitch panels togther later. I did 1 whole section, it's abear working with that big piece of material.

Need to add extra material for loss in quilting. Found out you lose about an 1" per foot of fabric. My 8' piece ended up 7"4".oops!

I'm not going to do more at this time, I have some other thoughts and may go a different direction with this. Not all is lost and this was part of my backup plan if plan A wasn't satisfactory.

I need to spend more time fishing now.

[masoct3]

Can we see some pics??

[fishkins]

Saw a thread on another site where the guy used quilted mattress pads

for insulation. They're available in different widths for single or

double wide shacks. One guy sewed them in, looked like very nice job,

another used spray adhesive.

[magicstix]

Can we see some pics??

I'll see what I can do.

It's basiclly 5'x7'4" piece. I used thinsulate and sandwiched between white ripstop nylon pieces, then sewed it in a 4" quilting pattern. I'm just using the velcro on flipover poles to hold in place and then I just used a couple saftey pins to hold the back bottom for now. If I go forward with this I'll sew it in place.

[nsnutter]

TTIWWOP!

[Walleye Guy]

Reflectix works great. Available at any home improvement store.

[magicstix]

Tryed it out this weekend. intial thoughts are I'm pretty satisfied. Sat. was -3, ran Buddy on high for awhile but was able turn it to low and stay comfortable. Sun was 30 and was able to keep it on low with the door cracked and it was comfortable. Never could have done that before, shack was always cold unless it was 25+ out and no wind. I'm suprised at how much heat loss must occur through roof. Still haven't decided what's next but definetly like the shack a whole lot more now.

Reflectix just doesn't appeal to me.

[magicstix]

Pics added.

[broman]

Here's my moving blank thermal mod that I worked on yesterday. I cut to the shape of the Otter tent, ran it through the sewing machine, then placed it inside and cut holes for the velcro to stick through. I have a little bit more work to do on the back tub part, possibly using double stick velcro. I'm going to give it a test run this weekend on Mille Lacs.

[nsnutter]

Wow looks great guys! I like the movers blanket idea. I may put reflectix in my trekker 2 though.