HappyTrooper's Pack Build

[HappyTrooperDotCom]

Greetings Fellow Troopers!

I wanted to share my pack build in hopes that it may help others in the future. These guys here at MEPD make it way to easy for us rookies :-) There are some FANTASTIC how-to articles on this site. Prior to registering, I silently lurked and began taking notes and collecting parts. I tell ya, getting parts for a pack build is quite the scavenger hunt. I ended up pulling parts from all different sorts of places. As for the build, I basically used ideas from other troopers on this site and applied them to my build. This is more of a "where I got my stuff" post.

FRAME

For the frame, I emulated Scootch's build found here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/6474-howto-scootchs-backpack-tutorial/page-1

I used the same type of 1/2" PVC pipe, elbows, and metal rod. For the bend, I didn't have a heat gun. I put on a respirator that I use for spray painting and carefully rotated the pipe over my gas stove. It eventually started to bend. I had a protractor and was able to get the angles that I wanted. Once I had the cuts and bends, I secured the frame.

Here's the metal bar I used from Home Depot:

I rounded off the sharp edges using some emery cloth:

And there was great joy across the land:

Again, I simply used Scootch's measurements and ideas, it was spot on.

SEED TRAYS

I purchased my seed trays from Parks Seeds, also an idea from Scootch:

http://parkseed.com/medium-perma-nest-plant-trays-and-domes/p/v1589/

These are great trays, however, I wish I had signed up on the forums earlier and purchased trays from one of the MEPD members (Crashmann or any others that produce trays). Would much rather support them.

For mounting, I continued using Scootch's method by hot-gluing some oak to reinforce everything.

TUPPERWARE STUFF AND CUPS

For the 2 cups, I went to Target and bought 2 packs of Wet Ones. Yep, another Scootch idea. For the radar dish, I purchased a replacement tupperware pitcher lid from eBay. The 2 "bells" on top of the wet ones were tupperware pudding cups also purchased on eBay.

CISTERN
I picked up a cistern from Gordonator, couldn't be happier :-) I told him that I've never been happier to receive a part from a toilet.

For securing the cistern and mounting the bell/cup, I used Jancelot's method found here (awesome idea with the magnets to get that mounting screw in):

http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=13825&hl=cistern#entry176498

TOOL BOX

I picked up a project enclosure at Radio Shack for the tool box. I actually picked up 2 of these...one for the tool box and one for the Sonix Radio.

https://www.radioshack.com/products/project-enclosure-8x6x3?variant=5717251141

SONIX RADIO

I picked up the Sonix from TrooperBay. I only used the faceplate and knobs. I attached the faceplate to the Radio Shack Project enclosure. The enclosure comes with a metal lid, I used it underneath of TrooperBay's faceplate to make it look a little more metallic underneath. I drilled out the speaker area and also the little screw holes around the frame.

Put some screen behind the speaker area and secured it with hot glue.

To secure the faceplate and keep it removeable, I cut off these "nubs" inside of the enclosure with a Dremel cutting bit.

I cut them down enough to secure a few leftover rare-earth magnets from my TD armor build and secured them with epoxy putty. I secured the toggle switches with epoxy putty.

Switches from Radio Shack:

I plan on putting some kind of speaker system in there one day. For now, its just my iPhone with one of those rubber speaker stands.

CANTEEN

Got the canteen from Crashmann. He was lightning fast with shipping, and extremely helpful. He answered lots of rookie questions and really helped me out. I wish I had found Crashmann before I started this crazy scavenger hunt, I would have bought everything from him. We live fairly close to one another...I owe him some beer...a lot of beer.

EXHAUST PORT

This was a hodge podge of stuff. Again, I used a project enclosure from Radio Shack:

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-project-enclosure-6x3x2?variant=5717250245

The other stuff I picked up at Home Depot:

3/4" PVC

3/4" PVC Coupling (sawed at a 45 degree angle in a mitre box

Ribbed conduit: http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-1-4-in-Steel-CSST-Coated-Protective-Conduit-up-to-3-4-in-CSST-Tubing-11-12512/203073935?keyword=811000111258

the securing screw

I cut a 1 inch hole in the enclosure so that the PVC could fit in. I sliced off some of that hose with a razor blade and painted it.

For the securing brackets on the bottom of the exhaust port, I just cut some left over plastic into strips and triangles, then painted it black.

MORTAR TUBE

I used 2" PVC pipe, some 2 inch PVC couplings cut in half, and some 2 inch test caps to close the top of the couplings. I had a leftover thermal detonator "plate" from my TK kit and just glued it on the side with E6000.

SHELLS

For the shells, I used 3/4" PVC pipe. I spray painted 5 pennies flat black, cut a few squares of screen and pushed the penny and screen through the shell. Once the penny/screen was where I wanted it, I sloshed some E6000 in the bottom which hopefully secured it.

SECURING THE TOP TRAYS TO THE BOTTOM TRAYS

I used Pandatrooper's method using zip ties and "L" brackets:

http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=7028

TAPE

I found this 2" wide tape at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SzvI5c for securing the bottom blue trays. I used regular electrical tape for the thin strips.

STRAPS

I picked up these alice pack straps on Amazon for $15 bucks.

http://amzn.to/246cZQR

It didn't require any drilling to secure the straps. I wrapped the loop end of the strap around the bottom of the back at the side frame and metal bar, then fed the upper strap through it

Just pulled the top of the strap through the bottom loop to secure it against the side/bottom of the pack frame

To secure the top of the straps, just wrap the top of the strap around the top of the frame

Feed the end of the top strap into the first hole in the buckle

Bring the strap back up through the 2nd hole and tighten

WEATHERING

I used some Testors Acryl silver on the Sonix radio. Just drybrushed some here and there along the edges and places that may get worn. For dirt, I used "Folk Art" brand acrylic paint from Michael's. I used: Ash (gray color) and Country Twill (tan). I applied it using a folded wet paper towel. I would dab some on scrap plastic until just a little was left on the paper towel and I applied on the gear.

All done!

Thanks for reading! I finally finished my Anovos armor too and was approved by my local garrison earlier this week. Thanks to all who have helped me achieve my goal of becoming a TD!

Last but not least, found a light travel duffel that fits the pack nicely. Got it from Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WgyJqm Obviously not much in the way of protection, but should aid in transporting the pack.

[Rocket]

Beautiful pack man, very nicely done!

[LoveMonkey]

Excellent job! I look forward to seeing your PO application (if I haven't already)

[crashmann]

Wow, very nice work Damon, and thanks for documenting and sharing your progress along the way. This will help troopers that follow along after you!

I'm looking forward to trooping with you, and perhaps we'll meet at the Washington Nationals baseball game

Charlie

[TD42115]

Great looking pack there..

[Airborne Trooper]

Awesome looking pack! I believe if you upgrade to crashmann's seed trays, you'll have to make a larger frame too. I bought some of the parkseed trays as backups and they are significantly smaller than crashmann's.