Pack Build-Along, Frame and All

[5shot]

Nice Job! Zipper looks great to me. I will only have to do about 20-30 tacks on mine, but since I don't have zig zag on my big machine, they will just be straight stitch.

I need to order some more 500D to do the pack, so I won't get started on it for another week, but I have it planned out and will be making patterns.

 

[5shot]

Here's the spec for PALS. If you stick close to this, you will be fine. You can leave out some of the center rows or not skip any and have no spaces. If you watch the video (6:30 mark), you can see that some of the smaller pockets would use 3 rows - there is an extra strap in one of the spaces on the pack.

PALS Dimensions | DIY Tactical

Kifaru Pocket Installation - YouTube

 

[Tartan]

Thanks.

The vertical piece isn't pals. Just to hold the compression straps down and to move the mounting point for the fold down straps. They're spaced at 2" bc it worked out best.

The other points follow it fairly closely I guess. They are the 1.5" and spaced out at 1.5" increments horizontally. Vertically they are 3 sets with 4" in between and with 1" spacing between each set. So I could run any pocket with the 3 bar sliders mounted 4,5,6,7,and 8" vertically. 4.5" and 7.5" center to center horizontally.

The long horizontal lines here are the compression straps. Left side would be the zipper.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Nice work.

Just to clarify you know the horizontal spacing on the pocket tabs you sketched is different than kifaru right? Not that I suspect you care since you can make up pockets as you see fit, but just figured I'd mention it incase there was intention there.

 

[Tartan]

Nice work.

Just to clarify you know the horizontal spacing on the pocket tabs you sketched is different than kifaru right? Not that I suspect you care since you can make up pockets as you see fit, but just figured I'd mention it incase there was intention there.

I wasn't sure, but I thought that might be the case. But you're correct, I'm not really worried as I'll be making them. If you look at it like a full row of pals, I'd be using slots 1,4, and 6 horizontally (or 1,3, and 6 depending on which direction you're counting from)

vertically isn't exactly standard, I should be using an odd number of inches in-between. But bc the 3 bar slider can flip up or down it doesn't seem as important and the spacing worked out better this way with where I put the compression straps. My OCD wanted to see symmetry.

what is kifaru's set up? spaces 1 and 5 horizontally? (6" center to center). they do use 1.5 in between bartacks correct?

 

[5shot]

3" between, 4" on center I believe. The 3 bars up underneath the bag have less chance of coming loose per the video IIRC.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Based on measurements folks have sent me to fit stuff to them its more like 7" center to center horizontally and ~3.5" (sometimes 4" on some stuff measured) between inside edges vertically (basically the inside edges of PALS slots 1 and 6 horizontally). Thus I've done pockets with tabs at 7" center to center, 4" vertically (but make the webbing a bit longer to make up for the 1/2" variation between the tabs spacing versus normal PALS).

I think the packs with PALS are just a normal matrix, its the tab ones that seem a bit non-standard (at least the finished products folks have measured are that way anyways). A bit of extra length in the webbing on the slides adsorbs variations.

 

[Tartan]

3" between, 4" on center I believe. The 3 bars up underneath the bag have less chance of coming loose per the video IIRC.

gotcha. if that's the case, 4" center to center will fit. That puts them with the inside edge lining up with the bar tack. 3" vertical won't. I noticed that the larger kifaru pockets have quite a bit of space underneath the lower set of 3 bar sliders. Which is probably on purpose so that the mounting fits across all of their offerings.

I spaced mine so that I could get the mounting points as close to the top and bottom edges as possible to prevent any flapping.

always interested in the details. Going to stick with what I've got, just call it "proprietary"

 

[Tartan]

Hmm. I guess I could do 3" vertical looking at it now. There's just 2 spots that would work instead of 3

 

[Tartan]

Based on measurements folks have sent me to fit stuff to them its more like 7" center to center horizontally and ~3.5" (sometimes 4" on some stuff measured) between inside edges vertically (basically the inside edges of PALS slots 1 and 6 horizontally). Thus I've done pockets with tabs at 7" center to center, 4" vertically (but make the webbing a bit longer to make up for the 1/2" variation between the tabs spacing versus normal PALS).

I think the packs with PALS are just a normal matrix, its the tab ones that seem a bit non-standard (at least the finished products folks have measured are that way anyways). A bit of extra length in the webbing on the slides adsorbs variations.

Good info, thanks!

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I just realized I misread your sketch the first time, the outside ones are more or less a match with 6" between. That makes the centers 7.5" between rather than 7", basically the same in the grand scheme. Put a bit of extra length on the slide webbing and you'll mate up to whatever.

 

[Tartan]

Finished the bag. Now I just need to get this thing dirty.

Lots of space for pockets. But I'm just going to run this as is for now. Pockets will have to wait till hunting season is over.

Only thing left to do right now is cut off the metal zipper pulls and tie some string ones on so they don't "jangle"

 

[5shot]

That whole thing turned out amazing.

 

[5shot]

Were you able to order just the K Clips or did you have to order some type of kit?

 

[Tartan]

Were you able to order just the K Clips or did you have to order some type of kit?

You can order them by themselves. Website is a little confusing maybe, they're under accessories and then "web management and buckle sets". There is a drop down where you can find the k-clips. They sell them in sets of 2.

 

[5shot]

Thanks for the info on the K Clips...wish shipping wasn't such a killer (respectively). They're not such a bargain once the shipping is added, but I need them for the load lifters.

 

[WoodBow]

Looks awesome man. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

 

[5shot]

How thick did you end up making the torso padding?

 

[Tartan]

How thick did you end up making the torso padding?

The lumbar pad and torso padding are both 1" thick (2 layers of foam). Harness and belt are 1/2".

Depending on how it works out with weight in it, I might add another layer of foam to the lumbar pad.

 

[5shot]

I did go with 1.5" in the lumbar pad, but I can add or remove from the back side. I have not finalized how I am going to put the torso pad together, so I wanted to be reasonably sure before I started sewing. I was planning on 1", so I guess I am in good company there. I'll get it taken care of this week and hopefully get time to do a bag before the opener in mid Oct. (WA Rifle - Whitetail).