Pack Build-Along, Frame and All

[WoodBow]

You killed it with the harness and belt. Top notch work.

 

[Tartan]

Many thanks for all the compliments. It's been a blast seeing the idea in my head turn into something tangible. And to top it off, I've only had to scrap 1 thing, and that was my first go around at the lower back padding. There are a couple of things that I might do differently the second time around, but nothing major. Just a minor tweak here and there.

Some more pics

 

[Tartan]

Just weighed it. Finished frame comes in at 3.6 lbs. super happy with that!

 

[crmiller84]

Words escape me on describing how awesome that has turned out! Excellent work!

 

[5shot]

That is just outstanding!

 

[5shot]

Many thanks for all the compliments. It's been a blast seeing the idea in my head turn into something tangible. And to top it off, I've only had to scrap 1 thing, and that was my first go around at the lower back padding. There are a couple of things that I might do differently the second time around, but nothing major. Just a minor tweak here and there.

Some more pics

Is there an advantage to having the suspension strap for the shoulder harness attached at the top of the frame and then down through the rectangular ring, then back up to the harness?

 

[Tartan]

Is there an advantage to having the suspension strap for the shoulder harness attached at the top of the frame and then down through the rectangular ring, then back up to the harness?

I just copied what I could see on the HPG packs as best I could. I wondered the same thing. I can hazard some guesses, but I don't really know. I believe all the HPG packs are all internal frames, putting it up top may help place some of the load into the stays.

In reality, I don't think that strap should have a major load on it. In one of the HPG videos on how to adjust their packs, the strap is noticeably slack. Will be trying it with some weight in it this week, but I think I'll be setting that strap just long enough to make sure the shoulder harness bends down around my back. Then I can loosen the load lifters to push weight to my shoulders, and tighten to push it to my hips.

 

[Tartan]

Continuing from my last post.

I'm not even sure you need that strap... As long as the belt is in use and you're placing the majority of the weight on your hips. If you have the lower straps and load lifter straps balanced, that would be all you need.

In daypack mode (loose tension on the old lifters to allow more shoulder movement) or without the belt tightened up, that strap allows the harness to conform to your shoulders.

I don't think you'll have any problems the way you attached yours. But I'll be interested to hear how it feels once you get it finished.

 

[5shot]

I don't think I'll have any issues either, just curious if you knew the theory behind it. I can always ask Scot or Evan. They HPG style does preload the stays by causing a compression between the attachment points...maybe that does have some advantage on an internal frame.

My Spandura should be here Monday...then onto the padding and shoulder harness.

 

[reaper]

thats some serious work here...awesome frame.What kind of bag youll make now??

 

[Tartan]

Going simple with the first one. Something similar to the kifaru tahr with a center zip. Attachment points for some pockets on the ruck sac fold over (as seen on the new reckoning pack) and on the sides.

Speaking of... I'll eventually be making my own pockets, but does anybody know the attachment point spacing kifaru uses on their various belt/side pockets? Just trying to double check what I'm thinking of doing.

 

[5shot]

I think they are standard PALS spacing, they just leave out the ones in between. I would guess there is 3" between the top of one and the bottom of the other. I think the bags are 4 columns wide, based on one of the videos I watched.

 

[5shot]

Fabric arrived today. Should have the frame done by week's end.

 

[JayPee]

Seeing some killer work in here. Been a long time since I have sewed, makes me want to see if I can figure out some simple things.

Maybe I missed it, but it looks like your load lifters are pretty flat with just the frame. With a load on the pack will they have enough angle to get the shoulder straps off your shoulders?

 

[COlineman78]

Maybe I missed it, but it looks like your load lifters are pretty flat with just the frame. With a load on the pack will they have enough angle to get the shoulder straps off your shoulders?

He said in the first post that he was doing a 22" frame; you won't get a lot of lift with a 22" frame unless you're under like 5'4".

 

[Tartan]

Maybe I missed it, but it looks like your load lifters are pretty flat with just the frame. With a load on the pack will they have enough angle to get the shoulder straps off your shoulders?

They are fairly flat, maybe a 15 degree angle. More of a load stabilizer than lifter.. I'm 6'3" and went for a 22" frame on this first one. This is more of my whitetail daypack and airline carry.

After some testing with this frame I plan on making a 26" one.

 

[5shot]

Finished the shoulder harness (except for the Sternum Straps). Feels pretty good so far. I'll start working on the padding and should have it ready to try out with some weight by this weekend.

 

[Tartan]

Finished the shoulder harness (except for the Sternum Straps). Feels pretty good so far. I'll start working on the padding and should have it ready to try out with some weight by this weekend.

Hellsya, nice work!

 

[WoodBow]

Top notch work fellas. The bar has been raised.

 

[Tartan]

slowly making progress on the bag. I've got to hurry to try and get this ready for the first day of season...

Could probably have done a little better with the stitching around the zipper area, but this won't be the last bag so they'll get better.

going to have it set up to run either 3 6" tall pockets on the sides (either 6" or 9" long) or 2 10"x10" pockets. I guess I could also run a super tall one, or make a wing as well. I know my spacing probably isn't exactly correct to run anybody's official pockets, but since I'll be making them I don't really care.

similar deal to mount up top. Should be able to run a 6"x9" or 10"x10" on the top. Also going to put in a drawstring and mount for a lid.

Probably overkill...

10 of 106 bar tacks complete...