Rockchuck
WKR
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2012
- Messages
- 317
I just posted this in another thread and thought I would add it here too.
I used to run Mystery Ranch packs and loved the layout and durability of the packs. I had the longbow, crew cab, and 6500 that I ran on the Nice frame system. However, the lack of load lifter angle for my 21" torso and the packs weight ultimately made me look for other options. I missed the tri-zip design of my longbow, but always wished the bag was bigger. I tried tracking down a cbmr manticore, which I think is somewhat of an overgrown predocessor to the longbow/skirati packbags, but coulld find one on the cheap and I ultimately decided to make my own and try to save some serious weight too. So, it was time to see what I could do about mixing the tri-zip design on a bigger bag with my newly acquired duplex frame that has been pretty comfy so far and provides that lovely lifter angle that I never could quite get even with the 6500 before. So, I started with trying to sew a zippered pocket as a first project. I had a lot of extra strap material and buckles lying around from tiedowns and older packs that I decided to cannibalize to keep costs down on this little experiment. I bought 500 denier cordura off ebay and some heavy duty thread to go with it and also picked up the stoutest needle I could find to punch through the material. I pulled out my wifes sewing machine and soaked up some youtube knowhow and got started. the pocket turned out ugly, but servicable. Now that I was feeling like a pro, I decided I might as well just go for the backpack!
Now looking back, I should of drawn up a pattern or something, but just kind of flew by the seat of my pants. It was interesting trying to imagine the pack inside out for sewing purposes and having it planned out on paper first would have probably made the finished product better. I went with velcro attachment points inside for hanging a water bladder and other mesh style pockets so I wouldn't have the weight of permanent pockets as I had in the longbow and some additional modularity. I sewed in a zippered pocket up top and kind of slaughtered it. Once again, ugly, but servicable...Starting to see a trend here right?! Also added the outer bottle style pockets for spotter and tripod. I really like how they turned out and sewed tehm in with elastic so that they grip whatever is in the pocked nicely. It was a cheap alternative to the longbow, but time consuming. I run this on my duplex 26" frame, but I am assuming attachment is similar between the bikini and duplex. For attachment, I simply sewed a pocket of sorts at the top for the frame to slip into (similar to what I was familiar with on my MR packs) with cutouts for the load lifters to pass through. Then the compression straps attach to the frame with split buckles I had laying around from mystery ranch and also some buckles I split with my dremel. I left the straps longer so I could use it as a compression panel of sorts for meat hauling. It took probably 10 hours to do, but if you have access to a sewing machine and youtube for basic machine skills, you could throw one together too on the cheap...
I think it came out pretty good for my first sewing project. It carried a big load for me consisting of a front and rear cow elk quarter with straps, loins, and neck meat in the "compression panel" mode really nicely while leaving all the interior space available for my gear. I should have taken some pics of it in hauling mode, but didnt think of it. Here are a few pics of my brother modeling it for me though with a full load of pillows. For reference he is 6'1" and about 175 lbs. Not sure on the cubic inches, just wanted it bigger than the longbow. I figure it comes in around 4000 cubic inches?? Anyone wanna take a stab at what they thing the cubes might be on it? So far it has been great and it is fun to think I sewed it up myself. I have a few other designs floating aroung in my head as well, but have yet to start on any of them. I have been thinking of trying the bikini frame though if it has a little more flex to move with me. The duplex is super tough and hauled like a dream, but was a little stiff for my liking while just hiking around dayhunting. Hopefully I could swap it to the bikini if I make the switch. If not, I guess I could pull the sewing machine out again and come up with a mod for it!
Also, after using the pack in the field, I thing I need to add a third compression strap up higher on each side for when I have the bag compressed.
Thanks for looking and let me know what you think!
Rockchuck
I used to run Mystery Ranch packs and loved the layout and durability of the packs. I had the longbow, crew cab, and 6500 that I ran on the Nice frame system. However, the lack of load lifter angle for my 21" torso and the packs weight ultimately made me look for other options. I missed the tri-zip design of my longbow, but always wished the bag was bigger. I tried tracking down a cbmr manticore, which I think is somewhat of an overgrown predocessor to the longbow/skirati packbags, but coulld find one on the cheap and I ultimately decided to make my own and try to save some serious weight too. So, it was time to see what I could do about mixing the tri-zip design on a bigger bag with my newly acquired duplex frame that has been pretty comfy so far and provides that lovely lifter angle that I never could quite get even with the 6500 before. So, I started with trying to sew a zippered pocket as a first project. I had a lot of extra strap material and buckles lying around from tiedowns and older packs that I decided to cannibalize to keep costs down on this little experiment. I bought 500 denier cordura off ebay and some heavy duty thread to go with it and also picked up the stoutest needle I could find to punch through the material. I pulled out my wifes sewing machine and soaked up some youtube knowhow and got started. the pocket turned out ugly, but servicable. Now that I was feeling like a pro, I decided I might as well just go for the backpack!
Now looking back, I should of drawn up a pattern or something, but just kind of flew by the seat of my pants. It was interesting trying to imagine the pack inside out for sewing purposes and having it planned out on paper first would have probably made the finished product better. I went with velcro attachment points inside for hanging a water bladder and other mesh style pockets so I wouldn't have the weight of permanent pockets as I had in the longbow and some additional modularity. I sewed in a zippered pocket up top and kind of slaughtered it. Once again, ugly, but servicable...Starting to see a trend here right?! Also added the outer bottle style pockets for spotter and tripod. I really like how they turned out and sewed tehm in with elastic so that they grip whatever is in the pocked nicely. It was a cheap alternative to the longbow, but time consuming. I run this on my duplex 26" frame, but I am assuming attachment is similar between the bikini and duplex. For attachment, I simply sewed a pocket of sorts at the top for the frame to slip into (similar to what I was familiar with on my MR packs) with cutouts for the load lifters to pass through. Then the compression straps attach to the frame with split buckles I had laying around from mystery ranch and also some buckles I split with my dremel. I left the straps longer so I could use it as a compression panel of sorts for meat hauling. It took probably 10 hours to do, but if you have access to a sewing machine and youtube for basic machine skills, you could throw one together too on the cheap...
I think it came out pretty good for my first sewing project. It carried a big load for me consisting of a front and rear cow elk quarter with straps, loins, and neck meat in the "compression panel" mode really nicely while leaving all the interior space available for my gear. I should have taken some pics of it in hauling mode, but didnt think of it. Here are a few pics of my brother modeling it for me though with a full load of pillows. For reference he is 6'1" and about 175 lbs. Not sure on the cubic inches, just wanted it bigger than the longbow. I figure it comes in around 4000 cubic inches?? Anyone wanna take a stab at what they thing the cubes might be on it? So far it has been great and it is fun to think I sewed it up myself. I have a few other designs floating aroung in my head as well, but have yet to start on any of them. I have been thinking of trying the bikini frame though if it has a little more flex to move with me. The duplex is super tough and hauled like a dream, but was a little stiff for my liking while just hiking around dayhunting. Hopefully I could swap it to the bikini if I make the switch. If not, I guess I could pull the sewing machine out again and come up with a mod for it!
Also, after using the pack in the field, I thing I need to add a third compression strap up higher on each side for when I have the bag compressed.
Thanks for looking and let me know what you think!
Rockchuck