I'm a single person maker of bikepacking gear. As you know, more and more the big guns in the industry are using welded seams in their gear. For those of us without millions for a budget, it's good so see that there are, potentially, small inroads that we can actually make into that realm. Thanks... hoping to see more of this.

There isn't a lot of DIY seam welding information out there, and this is one of the better presentations I've seen getting into it. This vid actually gave me the push to start exploring welding for my bespoke tactical/survival equipment shop; Still exploring and learning, but wanted to express my thanks for doing this vid, and providing a really solid starting point for the curious DIY'er or small shop!

Thanks for the great video on a subject I know absolutely nothing about. Making a basket to hold my dog on my kayak, so very low tech. Have some ripstop sitting around that I'm going to use, so I was concerned about which products would bond that material. You've answered every question that I had. Gonna give it a go.

This was the most informative video! I was wondering how your experiments have gone with welding different fabrics, namely silicone impregnated nylons or other ultralight/waterproof/downproof fabrics? I know this is an old video, but I would love to hear back from you! Cheers!

I got the idea to create my own 9 X 7 ripstop nylon tarp. Thus video helps me have an idea of putting tarp together and then double stitch seems. I think I will practice on creating stuff sack. thanks again .

I've produced several hammocks, quilts and stuff sacks with Easy Steam. I use it on both load bearing and non load bearing parts with great success. I do stitch the channel on the gathered end hammocks, but even there it simplifies assembly.

I’m so happy I came across your video! I want to make some sand bags to hold down our beach umbrella. I get annoyed that sand gets trapping the sewn seams and this is great!

Ah btw, great vid. it is really difficult to find a vid related to this field. thank you very much!

The Century 21 iron is a good one and teflon coated with digital temperature control. It's used for iron coatings for RC planes.

Just bought a decent sewing machine and find out sewing is out, bonding is in! Really interesting vid, thanks for posting

Thanks for the DIY info. Might I suggest using a snowboard waxing iron, they don't have the steam holes in them, they are small and fairly cheap new.

Thanks for taking the time to make an excellent video! Very helpful

This will make sewing a thing of the past. Sewing requires a level of skilled which is only attained through years of practice.

I would like to comment on the "heating"/"welding" (melting) devices. I build and fly model airplanes and a company by the name of TopFlight uses an "iron" similar to the small one used in the video. The temperature can be adjusted accordingly. Another idea which I have used to do home repair on my "welded" seems is use a hot wax iron that used to melt wax on skis. Both irons work rather well. No holes to contend with. Rocco Polifrone

Informative video, thank you! I notice it is a few years old - are there any new developments worthy of an update? When heat seaming TPU nylon the usual protection is baking paper which is readily available and super cheap.

Excellent vid, thank you! I am looking at welding some packs/bags and it's really hard to find good info on welding/bonding. Like others I'm also wondering what you've learned about welding in the last few years.

Only became interested now and your tutorial is very good. Thank you!

Mamoon - to answer your question, one method I have seen is that a 3 Dimensional jig is used. This takes up the volume of the curved and/or contoured seam. Then a sonic head, hot wedge, or hot air approach is used to weld the seam. The machine I saw do this was a fully automated robot but I can envision a DIY effort working. Thanks for the question.

Hey thanks for this video. I’m tired of using a tarp to cover my toolbox every day and will be making a vinyl cover out of some type of canopy material. I have no place for a sewing machine at work but I have access to expired materials like Double faced tape and aircraft window sealants. I’ll definitely get that mini iron to add to my soldering irons. I’m also imagining thin strips of sheet metal to aid as a press. Thanks again

should show how to cut down an exped or thermarest and seal them but very informative thanks enjoy watching all your vids

Thanks for the comment Tee. I encourage people to play around with this. If you already have a clothes iron you could spend $5 to $10 on the adhesive tape and start playing around with creating your own stuff sacks, etc.

Thanks for sharing, very interesting and it looks really strong, no stitch holes to fail either

Thanks ProLiteGear - a very informative video. Wondering if in the past year since this video has been made whether you have heard of any new small machines that might be suitable for home DIY projects? Much appreciated

Thanks for sharing - hard to know where to start with welds so this has been really informative

its nice to find exactly what you are looking for. very interesting stuff, looking to create some custom kayak n camping equipment and this video was a great start to helping me understand what i need to do

I am suuuuuper stoked to try this man!!!

Great first video. Helped broaden my perspective on my DIY project.

thanks for the info. gonna try an electric current though a steel press table for large application i think. the press seems to heat evenly so experimenting will get it perfect. you info was very helpful.

I've had success substituting parchment paper (for baking cookies) for the teflon sheets. Cheaper and you can find it anywhere.

Thanks for the info, I will be trying EZ Steam II to make a tarp and a under quilt.

I totally agree. I think about the self-inflating mats I've used over the years and that 1cm welded edge never failed. I think also the matter of force distribution is interesting here; anything sewn will concentrate any force applied to it right at the thread-holes which the needle essentially tore into the material - seems like a really bad idea when you think about it. Do me a favour and do videos on bonding Mylar and dyneema or any other uhdpe.

Great video, thank you for taking the time to make and share it! 😊

OMG this is so helpful. Answered every question I had. I know what to buy to build my Halloween costume...and to build some outdoor equipment for myself. You really are generous to share this information. My thanks to you. And VERY well done video. Seriously your first?? Whoah!!!

How do welded seams last on gear left in hot cars, and for lifespan? It seems there may be disadvantages of using heat based seam tapes for gear that could be exposed to higher temps for longer periods, just like on boots, tent floor seams, etc.

A few years on, how are your DIY bonded seams working in the field? Any info much appreciated...

2022 came in really handy :) Thanks

Super video; you are a natural for this .

If i had a section of rip stop nylon and wanted to adhere nylon webbing to it to then attached side-lock clips, could I use the Pellen tape product instead of sewing that on?

Hi sew seams ive got a fishing shelter bit worn im after patching it up thinking using some tape at home. But needs to be 100% waterproof flexiable. Will it work

You are amazing for making videos like this. Wish I could meet you in person.

Amazing video thank you very many ch, it was pretty rich and you answered lots of questions I had. Thanks for this shortcut to knowledge ✌️

Thanks for the sharing your research, I'm excited to try out some welded projects

have you tried using hair straighteners as irons?

Sullivan's steam glide might work to protect your iron. Thanks for the help with my flag project.

Please show videos of different factories about how they are welding seams.

Hi, you find yourself in much the same place as us. It was great to see you going through the same thought processes, tools and tests as us. Lets us know we are on the right track, maybe. How to weld plastic fabrics... Have you learnt any more? We have found the bewildering array of types of plastic to be a problem. The industry vids were very short. Do you have more? You see my sense is that we are trying to solve problems that have essentially already been solved. The limitation for us small-scalers is tooling. Did you find anything better than the heat press? It seems to us the heat press is probably the right tool but it needs mods to make it right for seaming and welding. What's your thoughts? Regards Adrian and Jacob

Thanks for the tips. I want to secure the edges of one layer of rip stop over another layer of rip stop - sort of like a permanent tent fly. Do you think small grommets/eyelets will hold in the ripstop?

That was well thought out. Thank you for the video.

Hi, awesome video! Does this EZ-Steam II work well with PU and silicone coated fabrics? Thanks.

REally useful - thanks. Have you tried using a soldering station with a welding tip, please?

I loved this. Very relevant to me.

I just found your channel and Sub'ed to it. You might know I'm trying to learn to sew with a machine and their going to a welded seam on thing's.... : (

Have you done any comparison to a lap seam in terms of pull and shear strength?

In the first video clip while you were welding that seam, was that machine, with the roller, equipped with a roll seam foot?

Great stuff! Thanks. One note - you're using the term "shear" to describe "peel" forces, and it looks like what you call "tear" is actually "shear".

Oper8or - yes.... I tested the seam strength. As I state in the video it appears that tear strength is better than shear strength. That being said, if you are using something like Cubic Tech, then Cubic Tech Bonding tape is VERY strong.

Very informative.

When you say let the glue expand across the side of the overlap, does this mean you position the material so the edge of the tape is exposed, or will the glue expand outwards under pressure? I've got some Argon 90 and some EZ Steam II tape ordered for a project and one seam can be an overlap. Also, since the tape is only 1/4" wide, is this all the overlap that is needed for a strong seam? Thanks. Glad I found your channel.

I loved this video! thank you!

This is a really great video.

@ProLiteGear Hi from Belgium! Thnaks for that instructive video. Would that ultrasonic seam be good for making hot air balloons too? Cheers! Thomas

Great video!! Thank you for your service! Can nylon be welded to nylon with heat alone, no adhesive added? Have you heard of that?

Unfortunately I have no tool or know how for this. I sprung a small leak where the bond between the nylon "skin" of a my camp pad separated from the plastic base of the valve. Thinking about finding a glue/sealant to deliver w a needle syringe and don't know what adhesives such as 3M scotch adhesive would work. But I stumbled here. Any thoughts?

what would you suggest i use to bond ripstop nylon to a silpoly tarp to create pullouts?

They make covers for the seam sealers

Sewn construction is still going strong..

I’ve got the same handheld sealing tool and can’t get the surfaces to stick. I’ve cleaned it with solvent, water, nothing, primer, alcohol, tried different heat settings, rollered it and the TPU surfaces never stick together in any permanent manner. I can see the plastic coating melting, there’s that shine on the fabric side but when it cools it’s very easy to pull apart. Any tips please ?

Liked you DIY video. Wondering if vinyl could also be useful as a material ?

great video, very informative

What have you found today as being the best method. I'm new to sewing but wanted to play around with fabrics and leather to start designing my own stuff. Do you think stitching is the best method for construction of products with fabrics? Thanks in advance.

Great video. Thanks

What was that ultrasonic welder mounted on for that klymit prototype? It looks like an interesting way to weld larger things.

Hi there, great video. Do you where I can buy this heat press machine?

As an electrical contractor I wired a welded seam filter bag machine. This was about 10 years ago. So I would say you are correct. I am looking to weld a nylon mesh material together what would you suggest.

Is there an inexpensive press machine that heats up high enough to seal TPU nylon in order to larger sealing projects instead of using a hand iron? Can you recommend any? Thanks.

How would you re surface foam cuffs in cross-country ski boots? The rubber is flaking off. I have some waterproof material for making downhill ski pants. I thought I would cover the foam areas. I don't think the foam will hold up to heat....

Any way to Bond Mylar to a Ripstop Nylon Backing? want to make a custom tent

How do I make 100% waterproof seams so that it can replace plastic containers for aeroponic gardening root chambers?

can you show us how to bond cordura material?

Great video... very helpful. Thank you so much. :)

Hi there, can EZ Steam be good to weld Aquaguard zippers and apply fabric INSIDE a side pocket to create e.g. a chest pocket too? Sewing is not possible but access thru exiastant pockets is good... thanks for your work!

need to know if I can use any of these for canvas on a pop up camper

Excellent vid!!! I'm looking for a DYI technique for folding over sew on velcro Hook into a tab. I'm intrigued by the fabric store iron on product. Do you think it would work for velco? Thank you!

Great video buddy!!

Hi, Thanks for informative video. I have a question and I hope you can answer it even if its not related to this video in particular. How are the circular seams are bonded with PU tape industrially (as I saw a glimpse of industrial practice in this video)? with circular seams I mean cuff/sleeve openings.

I missed the part from the description where you "demonstrate how you can weld or bond seams in ripstop nylon using inexpensive home tools like a clothes iron." So say I was going to do the Steam-Seal II for putting a 120" zipper on my silnylon tipi before I stitch it in place....how would you use an iron to make that bond?

Do you think this would work well for making model rocket parachutes? Also how well dose this work on curved seams, specifically if the two pieces being bonded together curve in opposite directions?

Hi, love your videos.. I have some 18 ounce vinyl I need to make into bags for holding liquids (water).. What do you suggest for making these leak proof? They need to be able to withstand some knocking around and stretching..

like the video great info. im making my first remote control kite and want it to hold up and look great. so i was hearing you say a iron could work and i was thinking how about a nice flat hair straightener? some are very nice and have a digital hot temperature setting. so we could dial in the best temp to use and it would only be hitting the smaller area so not to heat any surface that's unnecessary due to im not sure if a waterproof type would lose any of its ability after the chemicals used were heated? do you know any info on that possibly? thanks i think this is a great new tech to be using by the way , i am so happy to find lighter ways to make this all happen instead of traditional heavy threads. great job! im wondering what is the lightest easiest one for me to use them to make my rc kite in your opinion? and should i go tape or glue? could you link me to this please? thanks in advance!

This was awesome, thanks

I was going to purchase pretreated ripstop sil/nylon fabric to make some stuff sacks from a local shop. How would this work with silicone waterproofed fabrics? Would you treat after all of the heat bonded events or can welded seams be done with the sil/nylon?

HI! thank for the video! I wonder if you can help me. Can TBU coated Nylon tolerate air temperatures of 95 degrees Celsius? How heat resistant is it? An inflatable tube out of TBU nylon will stand where air temperatures reach 95 deg Celsius. I cant find info anywhere. Thanks

I wish I could know if there is a way to seal water proof thin poly film like high density or low density pE film 1.5 mil or 0.6 mil thickness. I have used impulse sealer. It works sometime but not consistently. I am trying to use it for my project. Very frustrated. Thank you.

Sweet video! !!

Have you tested the seam strength yet? I'm curious as to how well it would hold for something like a tarp that is under constant stress from multiple points.

Hey Craig. Thanks for the great video. Have you found, or do you have a recommendation for a domestic manufacturer for welded seam products?

I want to glue a six inch long zipper at the inside top of my day pack to take out the frame sheet after I unzip the zipper then slice the material. Can I do that?

Hi There, good video, how do you deal with curves?

I haven't seen an update on this... have you explored more with bonding?

I have a Sinclair Wedge Welder that I can weld fabric or vinyls together