If you're new to the hobby or you bought your first wall tent, tent slips are essential to keeping everything upright. Basic ones, like in the template below are quick and easy to make. My template, which lacks historical documentation is a style I've used for years. These are cut from the straightest 1x2 boards I can find and drilled with quarter inch holes for the rope. Mine are unfinished, but when I make them for others I always coat them with boiled linseed oil. For the most period correct and the most common, you'll need to have a lathe and pick up AJ Hammler's Civil War Woodworking Vol. 2. We did a video on how to hack the classic dog bone on the cheap so you can have the impression without the expense. It will lack 100% authenticity but is still a large improvement over much of what you see at reenactments. It seems all of the original slips would have been made from a hardwood.
My template has worked on wall tents and tent flies reliably. If you need a larger size, I wanted to share a formula I've read a few times. The formula says that the slip should be at least three times the width of the rope and six times the length.
Happy camping and let us know if you have any questions.
My template has worked on wall tents and tent flies reliably. If you need a larger size, I wanted to share a formula I've read a few times. The formula says that the slip should be at least three times the width of the rope and six times the length.
Happy camping and let us know if you have any questions.
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