4:52 p.m. on November 12, 2011 (EST)
giftogab
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So as I was trying out my new Pocket Rocket, I bumped the cuff of my down sweater on one of the hot prongs and burned a hole in it. It is not through and through....I had the cuff rolled up so it is a small hole in the inside, actually, of the sleeve. I used some tape recommended by REI for tents, tarps, jackets, bags etc. I ahve applied it but wanted to know what you all have had success with to repair a rip in the down jacket.
5:46 p.m. on November 12, 2011 (EST)
MoZee
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How you liking that pocket rocket now? I hate it when a well liked piece of gear gets its first battle scar, but on the flip side its finally a part of the team then. No more wearing it to church, now its bonafide trail gear.
I sew/stitch up my down gear when it rips. I'm not so proficient that I use a special knot or anything but I just keep going until its sealed. I do wax my thread for strength and longevity. I save duct tape for waterproof things as duct tape is watertight. At least according to Red Green it is anyway.
6:02 p.m. on November 12, 2011 (EST)
giftogab
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I was thinking of adding sewing around the tape...which was not duct tape but a different, more fabric type tape. I will put the remaining tape in my kit in case of rips on the trail so I can repair there too.
8:18 p.m. on November 12, 2011 (EST)
alan
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I always hand stitch the tape in place, seems to work fine, though I am a lousy hand sewer.
3:30 a.m. on November 13, 2011 (EST)
Callahan
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9:59 a.m. on November 13, 2011 (EST)
giftogab
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CALLAHAN! That's the stuff I got! Hope it was the right choice.
5:07 p.m. on November 13, 2011 (EST)
Callahan
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A good choice until you find something better. I like how the neutral color will camouflage itself.
9:43 p.m. on November 13, 2011 (EST)
Tom D
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If you can find a sailmaker in your neighborhood or online, get the ripstop tape used to repair sails. It comes in various colors and works like duct tape. I've used it on a number of things. One way is to make the hole big enough to slide a piece inside the cut, so you wind up with two pieces of tape-one inside, one outside.
10:59 p.m. on November 13, 2011 (EST)
giftogab
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THANKS Tom.....I will do that!
7:51 p.m. on November 15, 2011 (EST)
Tom D
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If you can't find any locally, this online store has it-
http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html?cat278.htm
so should West Marine (www.westmarine.com)
Some tape may be stronger than others, but for a jacket, the lighter stuff may work better because it will not be as stiff. Unlike a sail, you probably won't be putting any stress on the fabric or the repair, so the lighweight stuff should be fine.
Something that will stick to a sail should stick to most any kind of fabric except maybe that Kevlar stuff Kelty used to use.
7:05 a.m. on November 16, 2011 (EST)
TheRambler
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Stitch the tape in for sure. But obviously prevention is the key to the future after you do the repair. I always put my l/s columbia hiking shirt over my puffy to protect it from any flying embers or otherwise things that may not be kind to it.
9:08 a.m. on November 16, 2011 (EST)
giftogab
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Thanks, Rambler. And all the others too. It is now repaired other than the stitching which I will do tonight. It really was due to being so excited about the Rocket that I was not even thinking. :S
10:38 a.m. on November 16, 2011 (EST)
Just a little hint.Round the corners of the patch tape and it will be less likely to get caught and peel off.ymmv
3:13 p.m. on November 16, 2011 (EST)
Rick-Pittsburgh
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12:25 a.m. on November 17, 2011 (EST)
apeman
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...............and stop using your sweater as a pot holder! ;-}>
2:02 a.m. on November 17, 2011 (EST)
giftogab
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HA Ape....that would have been better than simply dragging the big sleeve across what essentially was a hot poker! I got my repair supplies and am sowing that puppy up!