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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: So I'm looking for a couple guys who want to test and beat on a sleep carrier for the Medium ALICE. And a couple guys who want to beat on the beavertail / compression panel I'm going to make to go with the sleep carrier, but using other carriers / dry bags to see how they work with other inserts. Basically, it'll be 2 pieces - a slimmer sleep carrier bag than the USGI MOLLE sleep carrier bag designed to fit under the Medium ALICE and not bulge out everywhere, allowing it to work really well with beltkit....and a beavertail / compression panel that connects directly to the bottom of the ALICE pack frame (or the DEI, or the Frontier Resolve, etc.) and is used to compress / stabilize the sleep carrier bag so it doesn't sag / sway / etc. (and can be used for other things as a regular beavertail) I need feedback from someone who will actually beat on them in the field, let me know what I can adjust on them, etc. I've got a couple guys I know already on the list to get them, I'm looking for a couple more. If anyone wants to test them, let me know - I usually make these for materials cost + shipping for guys to test stuff, which shouldn't be much for these items. I’ll have a few weeks in the field and many weekend trips where I can abuse one of these. |
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Threw together one of the ones I'm doing for myself, trying to figure out the best way to put them together en-mass (ie, order of steps to completion). Threw it on one of the DEI frames and put that first lid on it to see how it works. They're going to turn out pretty nice guys. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: I added 3/4" to each side of the main base of the lid. (not all 4 sides, just 2 of the sides, the ones to the right and left of the zippers basically) Left the claymore pouch the same size. Got all the pockets sewn on, so all the panels are done. I'm cutting the lids out tonight. I'll be sewing the main seams up and binding tape on them this week, we'll have some packs done this weekend probably. Will the packs not taking anything additional be shipping out in the upcoming week? |
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Originally Posted By AbleArcher: Will the packs not taking anything additional be shipping out in the upcoming week? Hopefully. I don't see anything stopping them from going out. I was hoping to get them done this weekend and do the lids tomorrow, but I took a couple days off for Christmas, the first real days off I've had in awhile. I'm doing them all as a batch - I just need to sew up the main seams, binding tape the main seams, sew down 2 pieces of webbing (at the bottom, where the front and back panel connect), sew in the rain skirt, and do the lids. If nothing weird pops up, these steps shouldn't take long. But I have 19 packs to do, and I want to do them all in one big batch, it's quicker overall that way. Let me sew some up today, I'll get yall an update later tonight or tomorrow. Once I get to the point where I just have the lids left to do, I'll be contacting you guys about shipping info and such. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Can't wait to see some final product pics. I can take some pictures of the one I did that has the sewn on SAW style pouches on it for you, it's the same other than the sewn on pouches instead of MOLLE. I'll throw the ATACS lid on it for the pics. The other lids will be slightly different, but you'll get the picture. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: I can take some pictures of the one I did that has the sewn on SAW style pouches on it for you, it's the same other than the sewn on pouches instead of MOLLE. I'll throw the ATACS lid on it for the pics. The other lids will be slightly different, but you'll get the picture. I'm a patient man. Just looking forward to it. I don't need a slapped-together sneak peek, but if you do post those I'll enjoy them all the same. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: I'm a patient man. Just looking forward to it. I don't need a slapped-together sneak peek, but if you do post those I'll enjoy them all the same.  Patience is a virtue, lol. I'll get some pictures when I get them done then. I want to take pictures of all the different colors anyways, for my social media stuff (which I am horrible at updating) |
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Ran into a snag. Sat down to sew last night, and the needle positioner clamp had worked loose, which was throwing my stitching off. Went to adjust it, and one of the screws had been stripped. I got it off, but I can't get the screw out so I can put it back on and re-adjust the needle positioner. I was going to dremel a slot into the screw to use a flathead screwdriver (it's a phillips head screw), but I can't do that I don't think with the way the screw is (it's recessed in the positioner clamp) (It got stripped because of where the positioner clamps - it clamps around the main wheel of the sewing machine, around the drive shaft basically. But that positions the screw under the rim of the hand-turning wheel, giving me just enough room to slip a mini-ratchet with a 1/4 bit under the rim, and it freely rotates, so that it's a pain to tighten and loosen. Plus they're soft metal screws. It's a pain) Here's some pictures if you guys have any ideas.    
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Originally Posted By cap6888: Try putting a wide rubber band over the stripped screw, then put a lot of pressure on the screw driver (driving the screw driver into the rubber band and screw) and see if that’ll help get a bite. If this doesn't work, super glue the phillips head screwdriver to the screw. |
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Finishing up attaching the back panel to the front panel, and realized I have an extra back panel I finished, in ranger green. What should I do with it? Just do another pack? (I have a couple more, custom order packs I'm going to be doing later, after an OEM run I have to do) Or should I do something like an all-MOLLE (no pockets, just molle over the whole thing) pack? Give me ideas. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Finishing up attaching the back panel to the front panel, and realized I have an extra back panel I finished, in ranger green. What should I do with it? Just do another pack? (I have a couple more, custom order packs I'm going to be doing later, after an OEM run I have to do) Or should I do something like an all-MOLLE (no pockets, just molle over the whole thing) pack? Give me ideas. Do a pack with 3 sewn-on MOLLEII sustainment pouch sized pockets in place of the usual pockets. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Do a pack with 3 sewn-on MOLLEII sustainment pouch sized pockets in place of the usual pockets. Interesting idea. How about if I just sew on 3 of the FILBE sustainment pouches? I can get them for about $15 in new condition right now, and they're nicer than the MOLLE II ones. Think a 2-tone (ranger green with coyote pouches) sell? It'd be significantly cheaper if I can use the FILBE pouches instead of me having to make them. Materials alone will be like $10 for those. The hardest parts of sewing these packs have been the back panel and sewing the pockets. The front panel and molle is super easy and quick. Do a two-tone lid on it maybe. I could probably fit 4 of them on there - 3 or 4 sustainment pouches? I'm actually kinda digging the 4 pouch idea. Thoughts? |
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Found the other front panel - I was sure I hadn't miscounted. It had gotten buried under the rain skirts that go into the main pack bag. So no weird project for the back panel. Unless someone has a cool idea they want me to do later. I do like the idea of the sustainment size pockets. It really wouldn't be a medium ALICE size pack at that point, almost like a large alice, but shorter. That might work really well with the sleeping system idea I'm working on. Anyways. |
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Originally Posted By joeviterbo: natick tried that circa 1971 for the alice trials https://bpldcassets.blob.core.windows.net/derivatives/images/commonwealth:ks65hg858/image_access_800.jpg Yep. Funny how the pouches look exactly like the MOLLE ones, except of the era. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Found the other front panel - I was sure I hadn't miscounted. It had gotten buried under the rain skirts that go into the main pack bag. So no weird project for the back panel. Unless someone has a cool idea they want me to do later. I do like the idea of the sustainment size pockets. It really wouldn't be a medium ALICE size pack at that point, almost like a large alice, but shorter. That might work really well with the sleeping system idea I'm working on. Anyways. Glad you found it. If it came down to making what would easily sell while minimizing your workload, it would be a medium ALICE bag body, covered in PALS, with swappable lid. Badda-boom, badda-bing. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Glad you found it. If it came down to making what would easily sell while minimizing your workload, it would be a medium ALICE bag body, covered in PALS, with swappable lid. Badda-boom, badda-bing. Yea I was sure I hadn't screwed up the count. And definitely, next time I do a run of these I'm doing some that are the same thing, but with PALS over the body instead of pockets. Same when I do a run of large ALICE packs, which I want to do at some point in the future. So many people are already doing modded out large ALICE packs with pockets already on it, I don't know how much I'll be able to offer different with that, other than I want to make one or two for myself (for the memes mostly), but the all-MOLLE ones, I don't think anyone is really doing that right now? I guess I could offer finished modded packs (the ones with pockets and such) in woodland, not sure if anyone is doing modded out large alice clones in woodland, I don't remember seeing anyone doing that. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Yea I was sure I hadn't screwed up the count. And definitely, next time I do a run of these I'm doing some that are the same thing, but with PALS over the body instead of pockets. Same when I do a run of large ALICE packs, which I want to do at some point in the future. So many people are already doing modded out large ALICE packs with pockets already on it, I don't know how much I'll be able to offer different with that, other than I want to make one or two for myself (for the memes mostly), but the all-MOLLE ones, I don't think anyone is really doing that right now? I guess I could offer finished modded packs (the ones with pockets and such) in woodland, not sure if anyone is doing modded out large alice clones in woodland, I don't remember seeing anyone doing that. Get the $80 ones from SG and mod them. Save you a ton of work. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Get the $80 ones from SG and mod them. Save you a ton of work. I am seriously considering doing that. Since I only want one really, it's almost worth me taking it apart and modding it for myself rather than doing a pattern. The other side of me is the business guy who says 'but why not do the pattern in the first place, people will end up wanting to pay you to do packs for them eventually' I just looked, and they just have ABU and Tan left, lol. I guess that's probably not going to work. Though I could pick one of for patterning purposes I guess. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: I am seriously considering doing that. Since I only want one really, it's almost worth me taking it apart and modding it for myself rather than doing a pattern. The other side of me is the business guy who says 'but why not do the pattern in the first place, people will end up wanting to pay you to do packs for them eventually' I just looked, and they just have ABU and Tan left, lol. I guess that's probably not going to work. Though I could pick one of for patterning purposes I guess. Aw, lame. I missed that. Well there are still the $140 ones at Army Navy Sales. Probably still saves a bit of work. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Aw, lame. I missed that. Well there are still the $140 ones at Army Navy Sales. Probably still saves a bit of work. Meh. I'd almost rather dye one of the $70 ABU ones at that price or do one from scratch. $140 is at that price point where I'm tempted, but also tempted to sew my own. $70 totally made sense, I can't even do the materials costs for $70. Materials costs on those medium ALICE packs was surprisingly high. |
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Picked up one of those $70 large alice packs to pattern off of. I'll eventually get around to working on those in the future. Also grabbed some filbe sustainment pouches, they were on clearance for $6ish apiece. I'm going to mod a couple of them to fit on my Crossfire DG3, pattern off of one for something interesting, and have a couple more to play around with. |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Picked up one of those $70 large alice packs to pattern off of. I'll eventually get around to working on those in the future. Also grabbed some filbe sustainment pouches, they were on clearance for $6ish apiece. I'm going to mod a couple of them to fit on my Crossfire DG3, pattern off of one for something interesting, and have a couple more to play around with. Good deal on the pouches. I noticed the Fireforce branded stuff in SG recently and I thought it was interesting. |
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Good deal on the pouches. I noticed the Fireforce branded stuff in SG recently and I thought it was interesting. It's probably what old stock they had left after they shut down - everything as all hit and miss with colors and such and some of it limited quantities. There are some good deals in there. The enhanced ALICE pack belt for $44 is a good deal - it looks very very similar to the one that TT has for $150ish. Stuff like that. *** Pack project update - besides being a little behind schedule because of stuff, I'm also making a last minute change (well, addition) to the pack design - I'm adding a rain flap over the rear zipper. I realized I can easily do it with the design. I think a rain flap over the zipper is worth doing, as that would be the biggest egress point for water I'd think, even if it's vertical on the backside. A couple of the packs are already sewn up and will have to have it retrofitted, instead of sewn into the seams like I plan. But most of them will be sewn into the seams. |
Who wants the first pack?  I'm blowing through sewing up the packs, I'll try to get all the lids done tomorrow (Monday). If I can do that, I just need to do binding tape and sew in the rain skirt (which is easy), I'm hoping to start finishing packs day after tomorrow. First person to call dibs, I'll get their pack done first.
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Who wants the first pack? I'm blowing through sewing up the packs, I'll try to get all the lids done tomorrow (Monday). If I can do that, I just need to do binding tape and sew in the rain skirt (which is easy), I'm hoping to start finishing packs day after tomorrow. First person to call dibs, I'll get their pack done first. Dibs! 
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Good deal on the pouches. I noticed the Fireforce branded stuff in SG recently and I thought it was interesting. The Fireforce ALICE pack belt and shoulder straps are good. It's too bad they went out of business. |
I love a good double entendre.
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Who wants the first pack? I'm blowing through sewing up the packs, I'll try to get all the lids done tomorrow (Monday). If I can do that, I just need to do binding tape and sew in the rain skirt (which is easy), I'm hoping to start finishing packs day after tomorrow. First person to call dibs, I'll get their pack done first. thirds lol |
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Originally Posted By totalabuse: Dibs! Yours is going to have to be last brother, lol. I have to roll you up another one with ranger green webbing along with a couple I'm doing for myself and a couple for other guys I know. (I forgot he wanted ranger green webbing on his and didn't catch it until a little while ago. I did his with coyote like the other splinter stuff I've made) |
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Originally Posted By bdover: I’m fine being last. I don’t have anything planned until spring anyways. I’m more excited for the grocery bags. I've got a dozen more grocery bags I'm doing for other people since I mentioned that I'm doing bags for someone (you). Unfortunately, most of them are going to be for free (family members - I can't charge my mother and aunt and grand aunt)
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Originally Posted By Ex_Sanguine_Nation: Same. No hurry here. Honestly, this was mostly a meme post. They're going to roll off the production line quickly. I figured I'd meme it up a little. But I will prioritize the people who first called dibs. Except totalabuse. Who's user name is perfect for this moment. He is going to get something a little special surprise for the delays though. Plus all the modifications I'm going to be making for the gen 2 packs that I'm going to make to the patterns. (nothing major, just a few tweaks) |
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I've moved away from ALICE packs for various reasons. Currently running MOLLE packs. The MOLLE 4K pack is a decent clone of Large Alice with better frame, waistbelt, and shoulder straps, plus external MOLLE/PALS user configurability. Used examples of the pack alone are about $70. Other needed items not expensive. I bought my MOLLE 4K pack some time ago, for fairly cheap, and the ABN harness was included. Unless actually "jumping" the pack, the ABN harness is mucho undesirable weight/complexity, and should be removed, if present. If removing the harness, take good pix and notes, as re-installing it (for whatever reason) is complicated. I'll always have an old school GI ALICE pack frame with upgraded shoulder straps and load bearing waistbelt in order to use GI ALICE frame Shelves to tote Ammo cans and 5-gal water cans. One can proactively drill-out existing pop rivets and install larger diameter (stronger) Aluminum-body pop rivets. Installing steel pop rivets encourages corrosion due to dis-similar metals. Otherwise superior TT/GG ALICE/MALICE frames incapable of using ALICE shelves. MOLLE "Medium" pack is an excellent substitute for Med Alice, while having advantages of external MOLLE/PALS support, as well as having a modern load bearing waistbelt and shoulder straps. This pack needs some side compression straps, easily added at scant expense by the user. Granted that both these packs are more expensive than an already-owned ALICE pack. OTOH, innate capabilities are likewise greater. Sorry to rain on parade; just my opinion. |
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Originally Posted By raf: I've moved away from ALICE packs for various reasons. Currently running MOLLE packs. The MOLLE 4K pack is a decent clone of Large Alice with better frame, waistbelt, and shoulder straps, plus external MOLLE/PALS user configurability. Used examples of the pack alone are about $70. Other needed items not expensive. I bought my MOLLE 4K pack some time ago, for fairly cheap, and the ABN harness was included. Unless actually "jumping" the pack, the ABN harness is mucho undesirable weight/complexity, and should be removed, if present. If removing the harness, take good pix and notes, as re-installing it (for whatever reason) is complicated. I'll always have an old school GI ALICE pack frame with upgraded shoulder straps and load bearing waistbelt in order to use GI ALICE frame Shelves to tote Ammo cans and 5-gal water cans. One can proactively drill-out existing pop rivets and install larger diameter (stronger) Aluminum-body pop rivets. Installing steel pop rivets encourages corrosion due to dis-similar metals. Otherwise superior TT/GG ALICE/MALICE frames incapable of using ALICE shelves. MOLLE "Medium" pack is an excellent substitute for Med Alice, while having advantages of external MOLLE/PALS support, as well as having a modern load bearing waistbelt and shoulder straps. This pack needs some side compression straps, easily added at scant expense by the user. Granted that both these packs are more expensive than an already-owned ALICE pack. OTOH, innate capabilities are likewise greater. Sorry to rain on parade; just my opinion. I've heard the 4k pack was pretty good. Saying that, I don't think most of the guys buying these packs are putting them on a stock alice frame or using stock suspension parts. Most of the guys are putting them on the same frame that the 4k ruck is on, with various aftermarket suspension parts. (The 4k uses the DEI frame) |
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Originally Posted By marnsdorff: Pack project update - besides being a little behind schedule because of stuff, I'm also making a last minute change (well, addition) to the pack design - I'm adding a rain flap over the rear zipper. I realized I can easily do it with the design. I think a rain flap over the zipper is worth doing, as that would be the biggest egress point for water I'd think, even if it's vertical on the backside. A couple of the packs are already sewn up and will have to have it retrofitted, instead of sewn into the seams like I plan. But most of them will be sewn into the seams. Would love to see pics of this. I’m stalled right now on my project. Too much other stuff going on. Haven’t done anything else other than the the back panel. So now would still give me time to add a storm flap to the “radio pocket” zipper. |
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