Picked up a DPM Saracen MMPS zip down. How to make it work with PLCE?

[lostplanet]

Bag with winter kit. tonnes of space left plus more options pocket wise. My next mod is to add compression straps to the sides to squish side pouches. Saracen weighs 1.2 Kg more than the Bergan with same load.

I managed to do this with a speedy stitcher (used as a normal awl) I bought years ago and didn't have the patience to figure out how it worked plus bex's video helped a lot.

Things that really helped:

Drawing a line to follow while stitching.
pinning the zip in place and once a few stitches in move it down the job. I used safety pins.
If you make too many mistakes undoing the stitches, the thread will weaken and break so
A couple of times I pulled it all out and started with fresh thread and took my time.
A comfortable chair as I got back ache pretty regular.

Awls

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Zips (a bit lighter colour than PLCE ones)

Pair of Green YKK PLCE Side Pouch / Bergen Zips

Official YKK Side Pouch Zips

www.contactleft.co.uk

HTH

 

[lostplanet]

Kit in the bag: (these will get moved around as i play with it)

Top pocket
Fire kit, SAK, spare batteries in Small pouch.
Warm hat, gloves, shmag.
Laplander saw.
Snacks.

Under lid.
Mora.

Main hole.
2 liters Nato bottles and Crusader mug.
Cooking gear (depends) and food.
Thermarest.
German folding mat.
Bivvy Poles
Wet gear top and trouser.
Warm Gear, bivvy jacket, woolpower Top and bottom.

In bottom section
D4 sleeping bag.
Issue Bivvy Bag.
Issue Basha (cords/pegs in small pouch.)

Other stuff stashed.
hexi stove, paracord, normally stick a roll mat on the side.

This thing is massive, even compared to my predator 80-130.
Will enjoy trying it out.

 

[lostplanet]

The thread arrived today, not what i was expecting. Its half the size of the spool and thread is half the size again compared to what I used. will be ok for something else.

I think next time i'm going to get proper specs as no one seemed to want to tell you the thread diameter and spool dimensions. etc.

 

[MrEd]

The thread arrived today, not what i was expecting. Its half the size of the spool and thread is half the size again compared to what I used. will be ok for something else.

I think next time i'm going to get proper specs as no one seemed to want to tell you the thread diameter and spool dimensions. etc.

The guterman thread?

 

[lostplanet]

Yes mate, no reflection on what you said. it is really strong, and now I think about it the thicker thread I used (most likely waxed linen after a search) was for leather work I bought years ago. would be nice to get a poly thread the same diameter for heavy cordura work.
I am totally clueless when it comes to sewing and threads etc.

 

[MrEd]

Yes mate, no reflection on what you said. it is really strong, and now I think about it the thicker thread I used (most likely waxed linen after a search) was for leather work I bought years ago. would be nice to get a poly thread the same diameter for heavy cordura work.
I am totally clueless when it comes to sewing and threads etc.

That thread on the right is VERY heavy.

The guterman stuff will be fine tbh, it’s surprisingly strong - I use it in a sewing machine

 

[lostplanet]

That thread on the right is VERY heavy.

The guterman stuff will be fine tbh, it’s surprisingly strong - I use it in a sewing machine

Yes its almost nanocord . I asked bez on YT what and where he gets his. its 1mm 150D waxed polyester thread. I think the hole size created by the awl is so big it needs a thick thread to be able to keep tension maybe??

Pardon our interruption...

 

[MrEd]

Yes its almost nanocord . I asked bez on YT what and where he gets his. its 1mm 150D waxed polyester thread. I think the hole size created by the awl is so big it needs a thick thread to be able to keep tension maybe??

Pardon our interruption...

Yep that’s right, a big needle with small thread would be rubbish and look terrible aswell