As promised my 58patt bag

[vizsla]

This is the 58 pattern pack i was asking about last week. I was hoping to be done by now but due to waiting for bits to be delivered and being busy at work it hasnt happened but heres a few ongoing picks.
This is what it looked like before

This is some of the straps i removed

Then my next job was to wax it using homemade greenwax which worked realy well.
Here are a few picks, iv made a leather name tape and leather picture to cover a couple of holes from straps and also the MOD used permanent maker to mark were straps etc are to be fixed so these also cover that.
Then i replaced the straps with nice leather and brass buckles.iv also been undecided as to remove the side pockets or not as i want the pack to look very basic and traditional so iv took a picture showing both options to see what you guys think.

Iv still got lots to do, 4 D rings to attach top and bottom, side pockets to remove or alter and shoulder straps i was going to use leather but iv decided to use brown cotton strapping same as duluth use.
Plus a few other ideas i have. Il keep adding pics as it comes together. Cheers ash
sent from my secret retreat

 

[swotty]

That looks great, a vast improvement on the original!

If it were mine i'd keep the side pockets....looking forward to seeing more pics

 

[Twodogs]

vast improvement, nice one

Twodogs

 

[Rockmonkey]

lovely job there mate!
looking forward to seing what you do to it next!!

RM

 

[andybysea]

Nice mod's

 

[Man of Tanith]

looks very good
keep the side pockets i reckon
easier to put small items or gubbins you might want to get at during the day

 

[Hugo]

A very nice mod, well done and thanks for posting.

 

[lostplanet]

Fantastic idea and great work, well done!

 

[vizsla]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments il hopefully get some more done over the weekend and post some better picks.
Iv realy enjoyed seeing the transformation from a bag that cost next to nothing.
Id been looking for a smaller canvas pack for a while and was close to ordering either a frost river vintage or a duluth scoutmaster but wasnt a hundred percent happy with either so decided to make my own, so i sat down to measure up what size i wanted it to order the canvas when i remembered i had this pack which turned out to be nearly the exact size i wanted and also alot cheaper than buying the canvas.
I think the pack looks better without the side pockets and i usualy keep everything in pouches so i dont overly need them but they may come in handy at some point, il proberbly leave them on for now and use the pack for a bit then decide.
Thanks for looking cheers ash

 

[Rod Paradise]

Then my next job was to wax it using homemade greenwax which worked realy well.

Lovely mod - looks great - I'd keep the side pockets.

Any link/recipe for the homemade greenwax?

 

[vizsla]

Yes mate if you have a look at the thread i did last week on waxing there are some good links, id insert them here bit im useless with computers. Its basicly 90% parrafin wax and10% bees wax. Theres some on ebay mate. Melt it together and re set then rub on the canvas then use a hairdrier to melt it in.

 

[Rod Paradise]

Cheers, got a lod of beeswax, just need to rustle up some parrafin. Got an indiana jones type bag calling for it.

 

[vizsla]

Well iv managed to find some time tonight to put some D rings on the top, i decided to stitch and rivet them on same as the buckles as im determined for this pack to be solid. Iv took a few picks and close ups just incase anyone is thinking of doing something similar with there own pack.
Thanks again

sent from my secret retreat

 

[TinkyPete]

great work there brings back memories of using the large pack. looks like your doing a grand job of making it useful for a change

 

[RonW]

That looks very good!

 

[spoony]

thats great, i have one i was going to chuck out, but after seeing yours ill bookmark this page for a eainy day project.

 

[hobbes]

Brilliant. Glad that wax worked out. Looks great!

 

[vizsla]

Brilliant. Glad that wax worked out. Looks great!

Cheers pal thanks for the help

 

[vizsla]

Heres a few more picks now with the shoulder straps and D rings underneath.
Iv still got a few bits to do like brass buckles on the side pockets and a padded back and maybe a small pocket for a firesteel etc.

sent from my secret retreat

 

[mereside]

that is real class i like that very much thanks for showing us shows what can be done with abit of imagination,
atb wayne