DIY pack frame

[Juicemachine]

So, if anybody else has a 3 day pack or similar without an internal frame (specifically the Eagle A-III, but the design is basically the same for BHI 3 day packs, TT, etc.), you'll probably appreciate this. I was moving my BOB/camping/backpacking shit into my Eagle A-III, as it's a way better pack than it's predecessor, it helps with the Grey Man concept, and I was bored as shazaam today, and after trying it on, I had a familiar problem: Its back isn't stiff. I've always loved the pack's robust nature, ample packing space and tie-down spots, sheer simplicity, and amazing good looks, but I hardly ever use it. This is, usually, because whatever I put into the main pocket shifts around and ends up digging into my back, even through the padding, making carrying the thing dreadfully uncomfortable.

I knew that Eagle made a frame for the pack, to combat this very issue, but after ample googling, I couldn't find anyone who had the frame in stock, not even Eagle! Just as I was about to give up, and switch back to the shitty Chinaman pack (which has a sheet of HDPE or cardboard or something for rigidity), I found a thread on AR15.com started by a guy facing my very troubles. A ways down, I found my solution. Some guy had the same problem I did, and decided to DIY it. I took some of his input, and here's what I did. No pictures of the job, but it shouldn't need any. I'm gonna make another one soon, and I'll photograph that one.

Take a piece of corrugated plastic (I used one of those signs people put in their yards during election season), and lay it against your pack to make sure it's tall enough. It needs to be able to span almost the entire height of your pack, and the corrugations need to be in line with the tall part of the pack, to allow it to roll and conform to your back some with wear, and make it less prone to bending the way you DON'T want it to. Luckily, my sign was the perfect height for my pack.
Next, cut it into a rough rectangle, after measuring the pack, so you don't have to trim as much. This'll also let you have more extra material, for example, my sign gave me enough plastic to make an A-III pack frame AND one for a Condor Hydro II carrier.
This next part is the most annoying. You need to lay the pack over the piece of plastic and trace the outline, without letting the stuff hanging off of the pack distort it. It's a lot easier said than done; I ended up making several rough cuts, then trimming it down more after laying it on the back of the pack to see where needed to be cut down.
Finally, wrap the whole thing in duct tape to make sure the sharp edges don't cut into your pack, and to make it more durable (and less bendy). I wrapped it around all the way down, spiral-y, then put a piece over the entire edge.
Now you're done, and all that's left is to put it in. For assault packs, it goes in the bladder pocket, which, for many is bell shaped, smaller at the top than the bottom. This means you need to fold it to get it in, but you're only folding it the way it will fold naturally anyway, and it flattens right back out once you get it all the way in.

Has anyone else done something like this? Share your stories.


Pics up soon.

[mossy]

SKD has them in stock http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_AIII_Pack_F ... ag.501.htm

[Juicemachine]

They've never had them in stock when I've checked prior to this.

Plus, this is $25 less for me to spend.

[Cap n pickles]

Got any pictures?

[Juicemachine]

PICTARZ!

Here's the process of making the one for the Hydro II carrier.


The starting rectangle.


First cut.


5 minutes of trimming later, the final product. I didn't wrap this one in tape, cause I forgot. I probably will , eventually, as this one is easier to take out/put in than the other one.


In the carrier.


Note how it doesn't fold.


The one installed on my A-III pack.