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#205096 - 12/16/20 06:46 PM Looking for material suggestion
Gary_N9ZYE Offline
member

Registered: 05/21/07
Posts: 51
Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana
I want to make a new pack bag for an old Kelty external frame pack. Should I be looking for Cordura , Ripstop or something else? Thanks
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#205098 - 12/17/20 09:44 AM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: Gary_N9ZYE]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
I'm not a DIY sewer, but people who are often get fabric from these guys (and they have a whole section on pack fabric): https://ripstopbytheroll.com/collections/pack-fabric

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#205099 - 12/17/20 01:05 PM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: BZH]
Gary_N9ZYE Offline
member

Registered: 05/21/07
Posts: 51
Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana
I checked out Ripstop by the roll. That is where I found Cordura and PU ripstop. I will probably try PU ripstop. Thanks.
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#205100 - 12/17/20 02:59 PM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: Gary_N9ZYE]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
The material Kelty used on the D4, Tioga, etc. is generically known as "pack cloth," and is about 7-8oz. per square yard, 400-450 denier, and PU coated. It wasn't a ripstop weave, and didn't need to be, since it's fairly heavy.

Something like this: https://www.seattlefabrics.com/60-400-D-Packcloth-Nylon-895--1050-linear-yard_p_48.html

I'd suggest the V46 polyester thread, also from Seattle Fabrics. Most home sewing machines won't handle the V69 well with coated fabrics. "Regular" polyester thread will work, too, with maybe some extra stitching for reinforcement in places.

You could use lighter fabric, though, like the 210d Robic ripstop from Ripstop By The Roll.

Other good sources are:

Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics https://www.owfinc.com/
Quest Outfitters https://www.questoutfitters.com/
_________________________
Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

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#205101 - 12/17/20 03:36 PM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: Bill Kennedy]
Gary_N9ZYE Offline
member

Registered: 05/21/07
Posts: 51
Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana
Thanks Bill, I believe my pack is a D4 on the mountaineer frame. I will look into the links you provided.


Edited by Gary_N9ZYE (12/17/20 04:05 PM)
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#205105 - 12/18/20 05:36 PM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: Gary_N9ZYE]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
I've been thinking about making another one for myself, and I've got my eye on the X-Pac.
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The journey is more important than the destination.

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#205106 - 12/19/20 05:51 AM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: Gary_N9ZYE]
PerryMK Online   content
member

Registered: 01/18/02
Posts: 1391
Loc: Florida panhandle
The tag on my Vargo TiArc backpack indicates it's 70 denier ripstop nylon. I also have the newer Vargo ExoTi backpack. The tag doesn't indicate the fabric but I suspect it's the same.

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#205108 - 12/19/20 04:21 PM Re: Looking for material suggestion [Re: PerryMK]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
I've made several internal-frame packs with 70d ripstop. It's not nearly as durable as the heavier fabric, but OK if you take care of it. On an external frame pack, I wonder if the 70d wouldn't wear quickly where the bag contacts the frame crosspieces.

On the Kelty D4 frame, the grommeted flaps that fasten to the frame would need to be reinforced, either with extra layers of fabric or maybe some thin webbing.

Regular grommets will work...I've made several packbags for external frames and had no problem (with heavier fabric.) Spur grommets were used on the Kelty, and are better, but the setting tool is expensive.
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Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

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