Custom External Frame

[gardenville]

Your talking about my Pack frames. I am still learning how to sew and haven't decided what I want the Bag part for those two frames to look like yet. I am working on the Pack Bags for the Pack Frame/Sled first as I want to try it in the snow somewhere this season. As far as the other 2 frames go, the lighter one will use the 4 upright supports like pack stays. They will be sewn into the pack bag. This Pack will be a part of an ultra-lite setup for a summer AT Thru-Hike of 100 trail days, more or less. I want to keep the pack bag off my back as it has to be much cooler. I expect the finished pack frame, straps, and bag to be in the 16oz range maybe a little less. The model for the first frame was an old Army Ruck Sack frame that I have. The second frame was trying to make the 1st one even lighter.

[mvenable]

Your talking about my Pack frames. I am still learning how to sew and haven't decided what I want the Bag part for those two frames to look like yet. I am working on the Pack Bags for the Pack Frame/Sled first as I want to try it in the snow somewhere this season. As far as the other 2 frames go, the lighter one will use the 4 upright supports like pack stays. They will be sewn into the pack bag. This Pack will be a part of an ultra-lite setup for a summer AT Thru-Hike of 100 trail days, more or less. I want to keep the pack bag off my back as it has to be much cooler. I expect the finished pack frame, straps, and bag to be in the 16oz range maybe a little less. The model for the first frame was an old Army Ruck Sack frame that I have. The second frame was trying to make the 1st one even lighter.

Hi,

I'm looking for a frame without a pack. Want to hang stuff on the frame without a pack. You have a source for your frames?

Thanks,

[gardenville]

Hi,

I'm looking for a frame without a pack. Want to hang stuff on the frame without a pack. You have a source for your frames?

Thanks,

Hi,
To make sure we are talking about the same pack frames. Post #16 this thread, Yellow Jacket put 2 pictures of my pack frames in his Photo album. It these are what you are talking about?? I made both of them. You might say that I am the "source" for the frames.

[Sand Crab]

Hi,

I'm looking for a frame without a pack. Want to hang stuff on the frame without a pack. You have a source for your frames?

Thanks,

Check out military surplus stores for Alice pack frames, or try yard sales for old worn out external frame packs.

[gardenville]

I am glad to see a new interest in the External Frame Pack. I added a bunch of pictures of what I have been making. Two Ultra-light (stripped frames at 6 and 7oz) and one that is both a Sled and a Pack Frame (at 3 pounds). They are located under Gardenville in the "My Gallery" section here.

[tlbj6142]

What weight of sil-nylon are you using? It looks thicker than 1.1, but it could be because it is black. What type of seam do you sew when connecting sections/panels of the packbag? Just a simple single straight seam or something fancier like a felled, mock-felled or a French seam?

[gardenville]

The pack you see with the frame was made out of scrap 1.9 ripstop left over from other things. I also had a small piece of something heavier that I used in the bottom panel. That stuff was from a old stuff sack. All seams are folded 2 times like a standard hem and then sewed to the next piece to hid the edge of the ripstop or what ever I am using. The load bearing seams are usually sewn 3 times or reinforced with Grosgrain, nylon bias tape or a zipzag stitch.

The bag part weighs 7.9oz. the straps 2oz. the frame with the small hip belt is 7.9oz for a total of 17.8oz for the complete set-up.

This pack bag was made to check my pattern for the real one. The "for real" pack bag will use .5oz or .7oz sailmaker spinnaker material. I have a bunch of both weights and haven't decided which I will use yet. I will also replace the boot lace cord with spectra cord and have a couple ideas where I can save a few more grams. The hip belt will be different and use a lighter buckle and I am looking for lighter cord loc's. I just want everything to weigh less than 16oz and I don't think that will be a problem.

If I ever decide to sew a tarp I will worry about learning how to sew a "fancier" seam.

[luxlite]

Luxurylite.com Not a bad Idea considering Valcour is getting $600.00+ a pop for a system like you describe!! Streamweaver

Website says $295.

Luxlite