Making Alice. Pack Project, v1.

[Troy H]

So, I've been in the planning stages for quite some time to make a pretty involved super-pack. Oh yes, I know, nobody wants to see pictures of this pack like I do. However, for the time being, I simply need a backpack and I need this first version to function well, or at least partly well, without a bunch of remakes. So, bypassing the elaborate drawings I have, I decided to return to an early idea that I had.

In December, I had decided that the military Alice pack was a pretty sweet looking pack. I made the first 3 pouches to start building one of my own. These pouches then sat unused, taking a back seat to my water bottle holder project.

Rather than start from scratch, I decided to complete this Alice Pack. I built the main compartment and added a pseudo daisy chain for attachments. Following the traditional Alice design, I installed grommets and a drawstring closure. At the end of the day, I had a sack with three pockets attached.

In this pic you can see my water bottle kit, overseeing the process.

The next day, I built an inner pocket, short frame sheet and attached the lid. I finished the pack on day 3, installing and adjusting the straps. The finished pack...

All in all, I think this pack turned out pretty good. I may do some more work on the outer pockets so that their lids seal things up better. I may adjust the suspension more as well, though it doesn't ride too bad. I'm happy with it, even if it is just a bunch of pouches stuck together.

 

[tknife]

Man that is sweet, you have some serious talent! Looks like you could carry a truckload with it too :thumbup:

 

[Shotgun]

Cool. How does it ride? How do you do the copper rivets? You need a special tool?

 

[Troy H]

Thank you for the compliment. Actually, what I lack in skill I make up for in persistence. My water bottle kit (a blatant rip off of River-8's design) took me 5 attempts to get something that worked.

 

[Troy H]

Hi Shotgun,

The only special tools needed to do the copper rivets are two different sized hole punches - one small one is used to cut the hole in the fabric for the post to fit through, the other larger one is blunted and used to push the disc down the post during installation. Once this is done, excess length is trimmed from the post, leaving a little bit sticking out. Then using a hammer the post is peened, mushrooming until it seats the disc firmly.

Hopefully that made sense.

The pack rides well, but I may still need to make adjustments to it. I also need to make sure that it's packed right, with the weight distributed at the bottom.

 

[The Warrior]

Nice work!

 

[OwenM]

I'd want a load-bearing hipbelt, but that is so cool that you have the material and will to make your own pack:thumbup: