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#167981 - 07/25/12 09:21 AM Homemade Backpack
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
This is definitely on the heavy side. I guess it kinda goes along with McHale's philosophy. And it is not even done yet. I have finished the suspension, but still need to finish the bag. Still thinking about that one. Anyways, here is the long, boring video that shows my steps. I guess you can call it a tutorial. My goal is a total pack weight under 3 lbs. So far the suspension and frame are at 2.47 lbs. The metal frame is at .88 lbs, the shoulder straps are at .566 lbs, and the hip belt is 1.01 lbs.

Homemade Backpack



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#167989 - 07/25/12 12:56 PM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: finallyME]
PerryMK Online   content
member

Registered: 01/18/02
Posts: 1391
Loc: Florida panhandle
Interesting. The metal frame sort of looks like a sawed off Kelty or Camp Trails. Did you make it also? What are its dimensions?

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#167993 - 07/25/12 03:11 PM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: PerryMK]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
I bought the frame for $3 at a thrift store. I believe it was an old kelty or camp trails or similar. I just cut off the top and painted it.
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#167995 - 07/25/12 03:25 PM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: finallyME]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Nice!!!

Looks comfy, that's for sure.

You could always try a couple feed sacks for your bag wink



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#168005 - 07/26/12 11:24 AM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: billstephenson]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
I might end up trying that out. I am still debating with myself on what to do with the bags. Do it get one big bag, or two smaller ones. I kinda want one to double as a day bag. But, I like the simpleness of one big bag, and the weight.
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#168235 - 08/04/12 10:06 PM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: finallyME]
Steadman Offline
member

Registered: 09/17/09
Posts: 514
Loc: Virginia
Very cool. You've given me some ideas. I don't have a workable prototype yet to share.

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#168335 - 08/07/12 05:57 PM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: Steadman]
wrench Offline
newbie

Registered: 07/12/12
Posts: 1
Years ago I took an onion sack and put shoulder straps and a waist belt. I worked well.
Keith

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#168340 - 08/07/12 10:42 PM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: wrench]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
I really liked my "Feed Sack Pack". I might make another just to have a spare around.

If I do, I'm going to modify a frame like this one. That looks a lot more comfy than what I had, which really wasn't all that bad, but the shoulder straps did get to biting pretty hard with load over 30lbs.

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#168342 - 08/08/12 01:08 AM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: billstephenson]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
I made a pack out of plastic bags from the grocery store. cool It has two bags on the back, and two on the front and maybe a few for shoulder straps and tying it all together, maybe 7 bags, maybe 4, haven't looked at it in a while and of course I've never used it, but it weighs 2-3 ounces and cost nothing. Think how much gear you can carry in 4 plastic grocery bags, and you can get them on the way to the trailhead. goodjob
Jim grin
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#168344 - 08/08/12 09:45 AM Re: Homemade Backpack [Re: billstephenson]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Originally Posted By billstephenson
I really liked my "Feed Sack Pack". I might make another just to have a spare around.

If I do, I'm going to modify a frame like this one. That looks a lot more comfy than what I had, which really wasn't all that bad, but the shoulder straps did get to biting pretty hard with load over 30lbs.



Well, these shoulder straps weren't all that comfy around the 60-70 lb range. They worked great in the 30-40 lb range though. Next time I carry that much weight, I will just use my $15 MOLLE shoulder straps. They were designed to carry heavy loads.
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