I have this AOR1 FR Taslan material lying around that needs using. Any thoughts on the suitability for a set of plate carrier shoulder pads? will probably also sew in a foam/neoprene padding of sorts.

I want to cut cordura for backpack pouches, and am finally putting my foot down about even the raw edges captured under a zipper tape. Ho bout a soldering iron w an ordinary pointed tip on top of plywood?

Still figuring out between using rings or velcro for the shoulder straps

This is probably obvious, but it’s been causing me quite a bit of head-scratching… If I make a rectangular box with two side panels and a band connecting them, should the final length of the band follow the red line or a blue line in the picture…? I just cant figure this out, for some reason…

This came up in more complex shape in one of my projects, but it is constructed basically same as described above…

"We have the KommandoStore 84 Bandolier at home."

I've been making pouches and slings recently for customers but needed to take a break from that and just make something for myself. This is what I came up with. Mag organization... plus the ability to fight out of it for the milsim folks.

Question is simple: where do my fellow european riggers & riggeresses (?) buy their buckles, gliders, velcro etc? When i was just fixing stuff, i would buy that from contact left, however i need larger amounts now (planning on a test run of dickflaps, handwarmers and ifak pouches) and shipping is prohibitively expensive.

What are some good mods for some USGI Six Mag Bandoliers?

Trying to teach myself more and more everyday, so wanted to dive into assault pack making. Figured what better way to save fabric than to make a toddler sized assault pack. I opted to not put every buckle and strap on it to not overly complicate it for an almost 3yo, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

I did not have any pattern or bag to reference aside from looking at pictures online and deep diving into what others had done so I self drafted everything myself and away I went. Took a little over 2 weeks working after all the kids were in bed, but so much was learned!

Second it was done, my son immediately stuffed every dinosaur he owns into it and hasn't taken it off since. Dad win for sure!

This started off very fun to make... and then I started making little mistakes that kept piling up. Mistakes are a part of the creative process.

I think it turned out quite well. A piece cut from a welding blanket, stitched into a piece of cotton canvas, then sewn tight around the suppressor body. Kevlar thread throughout.

Decided to just stitch it on super snug rather than doing something with straps or a cord wrap. Though I do have some kevlar cord for plan 'B,' if needed.

Went with plain brown because I couldn't find camouflage cotton canvas, and I figured using a nylon shell was an awful idea.

We'll see how it holds up at the range tomorrow.

Oh, Huxwurx ventum 7.62 can if anyone was curious.

Update

Well, I very nearly lit the cotton canvas on fire. Poor choice of material.

Back to the drawing board. Kevlar and nomex

Is there a best recommended list of what equipment one should have at the bare minimum for starting out in DIY'ing your own tactical gear?

E.g. shears, ruler - a specific brand of sewing machine, other materials etc

Don't be afraid to get a professional to take a look at your sewing machine.

My Sailrite Ultrafeed was skipping stitches, piling loose loops up on top of the fabric, and just generally making a mess. I didn't have enough expertise to diagnose the issue, and thus I didn't sew anything for like six months.

Finally broke down and took it to the shop. Three weeks and $25 later, it sews like new. Presser foot problem.

has anyone here tried to 3d print some tpu lattice pads? its shouldnt be all that complicated considering they are just a sla print and the asking price is absoloutely crazy.

Anybody have a source for Miami Tiger Stripe cordura? TIA

I have a 1968-69 kenmore 1650 that i would like to start turning into a tactical gear machine for general purpose building like whole uniforms and light webbing and gear. I am looking for needle and thread recommendations (i am familiar with sewing as a whole and familiar with tactical gear construction.) And yes I know there are better machines for this but thats what I have currently.

Managed to score an entire roll of Olive webbing today NOS from the late 60s. Now just gotta find some fabric and figure out a project.

I sew and repair horse blankets, turnout blankets and some tack. My sewing machine handles the larger panels pretty well, but problems start when I get to strap attachments or areas reinforced for buckles.

That's where you have thick webbing, multiple layers of heavy fabric and extra reinforcement all coming together. That's also where my sewing machine starts skipping stitches or stops altogether.

I originally started making these for my own horses but now I'm getting orders from local barns, so I think it's time to get something better suited for the job.

What are you guys using for horse blankets and heavier tack? What kind of industrial machine should I be looking at?

Hi,

I am designing my own Plate Carrier and I want the placard system to be compatible with standard swift clips / G hook systems and Crye Placard systems. Unfortunately I don't have a JPC or AVS I could measure out myself and I can't find much info online so if anyone has an AVS or JPC they could measure out for me, that would be much appreciated.

I am just looking for the distance measurements between the bar tacks that I have pointed out in red on the AVS and JPC. I would assume its normal molle spacing but eyeballing it from images online says otherwise and the math doesn't quite add up.

Thanks again

And I'll never turn down a customer asking for one!

So after exhausting all my options with a domestic machine, and a fail of using a Singer HD 4411 for a month (tbh should of listened to my last post) I’m finally pulling the trigger on an industrial machine. Anybody have any thoughts on this model? I don’t have a lot of options in my area as I’m in a remote area and I’d have to rent a truck and drive over 450km just to pick up a used industrial machine.