solar set 905

solar set 905

If you're in the middle of the bush camping and forgot your umbrella, with a few items you can easily make your own to protect yourself from the rain or sun. You should already be carrying most of the items required in your camping gear.

The Things You'll Need

• Scissors or a knife
• Material for the umbrella - a tarp, a solar blanket or a thick rubbish bag
• Duct tape
• Tree Branches - one central branch and six smaller branches to make the 'spokes'

What to do

1. Start by cleaning up the branches, whittling off any twigs or rough bits so you've got nice clean poles.
2. Take two of the smaller branches and tape them together to form a cross. Get the central branch and poke it up the middle of the cross with 3 inches on top and secure firmly into place.
3. Make two crosses with the remaining four branches then arrange them like the spokes on a wheel and tape them all into place.
4. Measure your material for the umbrella canopy, cut it into a circle that is about 3 inches larger in diameter than your tree branch frame.
5. Poke the center pole through the middle of the canopy material and use the duct tape to seal up any holes so the umbrella is watertight.
6. Using the tape, stick the edges of the canopy to the spokes. Make sure you stick it to the underside of the canopy so the tape stays secure and doesn't get damaged by the sun or rain.

You've now got yourself a fully functional umbrella which will protect you from the outside elements. It may not be the prettiest umbrella, but it serves its purpose, and you can show off your 'handyman' skills to your companions!

For more articles about the history of umbrellas, and more information about making your own umbrella come and visit my website.

Lec 22 | MIT 16.885J Aircraft Systems Engineering, Fall 2005