Outdoor Tunnel Wraps By Jim Basic, photos by Nancy Gyes Wanting to improve on the outdoor tunnel holders we were using at Power Paws and to avoid paying the $180-$200 price for a pair of commercially made tunnel wraps-but at the same time try to get the same level of effectiveness that those wraps have-I decided to experiment with different materials and designs myself. After a little trial and error I ended up settling on two designs and two types of materials. Either design can be made with either material. After several months of heavy use I have yet to have any failures with either design. Note: We also made tunnel holders out of old heavy-duty chute fabric which is a great way to recycle your old chutes. DesIgn #1 * 12 - 1/4" or 3/8" spring snaps (you can also use threaded quick links) My first design uses a marine vinyl fabric with a high UV rating and abrasion resistance, and is adjustable by chain. These plans make three tunnel holders for about $35 each. The advantages of this holder are the durability of materials and adjustability. The fabric will span several tunnel ribs and not pull down between the ribs. Some may not like the chain component of this design, but the dog cannot impact the chain through the tunnel. * 12 - 3/8" x 6" or 8" lag screws; the length depends on how firm your ground is and what types of dogs are using the tunnel. I use 8" lags at Power Paws. You can use big nails instead of lag screws, but I find the screws hold better in our ground and they allow me to use a drill or driver to install them rather than having to pound in and pull out nails with a hammer. Materials needed * Sharpie * 1 - yard of Shelter-Rite 61" marine vinyl fabric (http:// www.sailrite.com) * Scrap block of wood * 1 - 8 oz. can of HH-66 Vinyl Glue (also from SailRite) 1. Measure and cut the fabric into three 12" x 61" lengths. * 12 - #4 nickel-plated brass grommets * 12 - 10" lengths of 3/16" Passing link chain July 17 | Clean Run Tools * #4 grommet tool ($11.48 on Amazon) * Bolt cutters * Hammer * Scissors * Tape measure * Straight edge or yardstick Instructions 2. To reinforce the grommets I triple layer the fabric at the grommet points; perhaps a little overkill here since the fabric is pretty strong. On each end of a 12" x 61" length of fabric, mark a line that is 3", 6", and 9" from the end. 3. Starting at one end of the fabric, brush on HH-66 vinyl glue from the edge of the fabric to the 3" mark you made. Fold this section over so the edge of the fabric is on the 6" line. Brush glue from the 6" line to the 9" line and then fold the fabric 57http://www.sailrite.com http://www.sailrite.com