Retro-modern plate carrier design

[CamoDeafie]

First component done! 4 mag placard for the carrier. ALICE pouch fasteners were pretty easy to put on. Dritz eyelets/grommets also easy. Used Walnut Hollow's hot knife tool with cone woodburner tip to make holes and squish fastener prongs like the originals. Sewing 420D wasn't a problem with the Singer 4411. Might need to sharpen needles soon so I can get better tension.

 

[Ghoul]

View attachment 1039628

Plate carrier

View attachment 1039630

Ifak

I second your Ifak choice.

 

[CamoDeafie]

I was not satisfied with the relatively bright thread against the fabric, so I took an alcohol art marker in "Bronze Green and applied it to the seams and stitch lines on the 4 mag panel

Then after receiving my thread order; I did a test run, Ranger Green nylon thread on the left, and Olive thread on the right


Then I made 1 of the 2 cummerbund pieces, and inserted a 1/16" HDPE flexible reinforcing panel in there. 2.25" webbing has velcro loop side inside, and other than the ALICE QR Pistol belt buckle and 3/16" eyelets, everything is "Ranger Green". Shown next to Asian made Blackhawk triple mag pouch in BHI Olive Green and USGI OD106 canteen cover.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Happy Thanksgiving/Harvest Festival day! Since I had the morning to myself, I went and finished the 2nd Cummerbund part. Now all that's left are getting L SAPI cut plate or two, and then make the front and back plate bags. I'll have to revise how I did the eyelets because two layers of 1" webbing plus a layer of 2.25" webbing, some velcro, and 1 layer of nylon apparently bent my last 3 110/18 needles I was able to finish with 100/16 needle but I definitely need to repair or replace my HD 4411 needle plate thanks to it getting bashed by the bent needles. So for the rear bag, I think either 1 layer of 1" webbing, and no 2.25" webbing underneath the eyelet strips, or I can do same doubled 1" webbing but fold the 2.25" webbing and sew it then butt the eyelet strips so that its only 2 layers of 1" webbing and the nylon fabric to sew through. We will see. New needles from either Organ brand or Schmetz probably will be better.

Pic!
Shown with ALICE USGI triple pouch, and the 4 mag placard for the PC, under natural light

 

[CamoDeafie]

Might redo the front plate bag but functionally, its good to go. Biggest pain in the rear, the side seams where there are angles. I see why most companies go for 3 fabric pieces to sew one bag together as opposed to what I did, with a single piece of fabric
Shown with cummerbund and 4-mag pocket. Next is the rear plate bag, might be worse because I'll need to put eyelets for the cummerbund pieces and align them good


I have a Highcom 4S17M Size L SAPI level 4 standalone plate in there to fit against.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Wheee. Finished except shoulder pads.
Just need 1 more Highcom 4S17M Large SAPI cut plate before I can test its fit. Went a little different way on sewing up the side seams on the plate bags. I think I like this better than what I tried with the front.


With 1 plate in rear plate bag, and dark olive gutted paracord with old school Fixlock 194 cord adjusters, a la LBV. Plastic inserts in cummerbund pieces for structure.

Backside view.

LBV Style adjustment.

Side seam

Showing 3/4" strap with buckle for 3-day training pack

Closer view, I need to improve how I align webbing.

Not that it matters much; since the 3-day training pack covers it. Shown with ALICE gear in Olive Drab; 2 canteen pouches, 1 Blackhawk mag pouch, 1 USGI ALICE mag pouch. 1 USGI Jungle FAK pouch with insert, 1 Blackhawk radio pouch, all on cummerbund pieces. And 1 USGI Compass/dressing pouch on front plate bag above the 4-mag retro placard seen elsewhere in this thread