Emu 0 #1 March 10, 2010 Howdy, I saw a thread I havent been able to find again about an old "build-your-own" canopy kit with a detailed instruction booklet. Just wondering if anyone knows where I would be able to find one? I'm looking to build myself a very large square 7 cell (see 300 sq ft) for a bit of fun. Anyone with reccomendations on a suitable sewing machine? (doesnt need to be harness capable) And is paragear the only source of F-111? Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 March 10, 2010 That was a company called Lone Star (or similar, I can't remember). They made the Laser 7, Laser 9 and the Rascal. A fun small project to get started was something a friend of mine did. He took apart an old Raider or similar, scaled it down and made a kite using ZP.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,362 #3 March 10, 2010 Hi Emu, Quote Anyone with reccomendations on a suitable sewing machine? I built a canopy using a Singer single-needle machine, a 31-15. Quote And is paragear the only source of F-111? Nope, but once you determine how many yards of fabric you will need, start calling around. I would recommend that you start calling canopy mfrs who actually build their canopies here in the USA. It is not that tough of a project; just continually keep telling yourself 'I can do this, I can do this.' JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #4 March 10, 2010 Fabric source: Performance Textiles, Inc. I believe that their product which is the modern version of "F-111" is called Exacta-ChuteThe choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topdocker 0 #5 March 11, 2010 Do you get the feeling were gonna see some Wally Gubbins kinda thing? Maybe a big flying EMU canopy?? I'd like to reserve a copy of the DVD please! topJump more, post less! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #6 March 11, 2010 If I was going to build a canopy I'd build a small non-crossbraced design. Save material and labor. Then I'd get someone else to test jump it. Seriously I would only build a canopy to test my own design not to confirm my fabrication skills. And I'd probably build a matching wingsuit while I was at it. Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #7 March 11, 2010 Quote Wally Gubbins Quite possibly over 99% of the current posters heads.....www.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #8 March 11, 2010 Quote Seriously I would only build a canopy to test my own design not to confirm my fabrication skills. And I'd probably build a matching wingsuit while I was at it. I'll buy your jump ticket, shoot the video, AND supply the wine we'll drink, as we repack your reserve! www.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #9 March 11, 2010 Quote Quote Wally Gubbins Quite possibly over 99% of the current posters heads..... Pete was one of my early instructors at Weston-on-the-Green in the 80's (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emu 0 #10 March 11, 2010 I have lots of free time at night here for the next year so I figure between abusing myself and drinking gin I wanna sew a canopy. Its been a goal of mine ever since meeting a guy who built his first square, and did his first square jumps on his own canopy.... Im pretty sure the Wally Gubbins videos need to be revived. Pure gold. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #11 March 11, 2010 Quote ...between abusing myself and drinking gin I wanna sew a canopy... What could possibly go wrong. At least wash your hands between the self-abuse and the sewing._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #12 March 11, 2010 I think something like this would be fun out the door....Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,362 #13 March 11, 2010 Hi GLIDE, Not to be throwing any water on anyone's parade but, from my experience, unless you want ~5,000 yds Perf. Tex. really is not interested in selling to you. Call Red at Flight Concepts; he has sold small quantities to me in the past. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #14 March 11, 2010 Back around 1990, I bought two para-kits from Lone Star/Para-kit. My first kit-built canopy was a 210 square foot, seven-cell made of F-111 fabric with Dacron suspension lines. I spent at least 40 hours just reading the manual. In the end, the first jump was un-eventful. I made about 250 jumps on that canopy before retiring it because I got too heavy. A couple of years later I bought a second para-kit to build a 220 square foot, nine-cell canopy with the same materials. My second canopy tooka bit less time to sew and I made another 350 jumps on it until ZP fabric came into fashion. Overall, sewing my own canopies was a tremendous learning experience, but I would not do it again because I can buy decent, slightly-used canopies for the retail cost of materials and I am no longer willing to work for less than minimum wage. Those latina ladies - who sew for major canopy manufacturers - are way faster and way neater than I will ever be. Rob Warner FAA Master Rigger CSPA Rigger Examiner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koppel 4 #15 March 11, 2010 Mister I totally encourage you to do this. There could be no great feeling of satisfaction that building your own canopy and flying it successfully. It is one of my goals to build not only the parachutes but the container on my back before I part this world. Good luck and have fun :)I like my canopy... ...it lets me down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topdocker 0 #16 March 11, 2010 Quote I have lots of free time at night here for the next year so I figure between abusing myself and drinking gin I wanna sew a canopy. Its been a goal of mine ever since meeting a guy who built his first square, and did his first square jumps on his own canopy.... Im pretty sure the Wally Gubbins videos need to be revived. Pure gold. House arrest?topJump more, post less! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #17 March 12, 2010 What, the offer doesn't include dinner? If I ever have the time I'm gonna take you up on that Ed. Since I'd build a canopy around 75 sq ft the reserve ride is kind of a given.Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcordell 2 #18 March 12, 2010 QuoteI have lots of free time at night here for the next year so I figure between abusing myself and drinking gin I wanna sew a canopy. Its been a goal of mine ever since meeting a guy who built his first square, and did his first square jumps on his own canopy.... Im pretty sure the Wally Gubbins videos need to be revived. Pure gold. Are these still available anywhere? I have two of them (don't know if there are more than that) and have thought about putting them on DVD.www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeteS 0 #19 March 12, 2010 I have a base rig that I put every stitch in from the legstaps to the pilot chute. I did have a great feeling the first jump on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topdocker 0 #20 March 13, 2010 QuoteI have a base rig that I put every stitch in from the legstaps to the pilot chute. I did have a great feeling the first jump on it. Yeah, but you know what you doing!!! You do, right? topJump more, post less! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #21 March 13, 2010 Quote Quote ...between abusing myself and drinking gin I wanna sew a canopy... What could possibly go wrong. At least wash your hands between the self-abuse and the sewing. You don't think he can wait until just before he drinks the gin?Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #22 March 13, 2010 QuoteWhat, the offer doesn't include dinner? If I ever have the time I'm gonna take you up on that Ed. Since I'd build a canopy around 75 sq ft the reserve ride is kind of a given. ......................................................................... Sissy! Hasn't Luigi landed a 39 square foot canopy? Hah! Hah! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #23 March 14, 2010 Sissy! Hasn't Luigi landed a 39 square foot canopy? Well Rob, I'm just too fat to do that. But not quite as fat as the guy that flies your canopy. Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hawk_63 0 #24 September 15, 2014 Hi there, I wonder if anybody has a manual for building those parachutes in PDF. I would really appreciate if you can help me to get a copy. Mirko aka. Soko (Sokol) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #25 September 15, 2014 hawk_63Hi there, I wonder if anybody has a manual for building those parachutes in PDF. I would really appreciate if you can help me to get a copy. Mirko aka. Soko (Sokol) .... ... ............ If you sent me your e-mail address, I will send you an electronic copy of the Lone Star manual. Meanwhile the whole subject on sewing your canopy is being discussed on a thread called "My little project." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
