• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Another Flex Clone Build Thread

I’m done with this build for now, sorry to disappoint! I think I got some stuff right and some stuff wrong with this build. I may come back and put some loops for accessory, lineman’s, and belt. Somehow I think my pleat is too big. I went with the bridge loop support routing the way that the new flex does it which is starting below the belt and going to the bottom. I hung on this a few minutes tonight before getting tore up by mosquitos. It cups very nice and should be excellent ROS saddle but I think I got a few things wrong. I didn’t curve the top of the saddle any. I think just a slight taper which cause the saddle to curve a little at the top would be nice. Also, after going back and reviewing boswells video I think I would take the top bridge loop strap and bring in curving down even more than it is now. When you open the pleat the bottom strap of the bridge is parallel with the way the bridge loop is being pulled; whereas the top loop takes a sharp turn up. I’d like to get that where each of the straps point close to the direction that they are being weighted. I do like that the bridge loop is not connect at the same spot as the belt. This feature allows you to tighten the belt and leave it secure the whole hunt without adjusting. Having weight at your waist in a saddle is uncomfortable, the ideal spot is right below your waist near the top of your butt. I’m going take this experience and try my first experimental saddle concept. If I can get my hands on a flex I may replicate it again too the T. I think some of my measurements or build components were ever so slightly off. All in all this is a comfortable saddle that pass the (I’ll take it in the woods) test.
13D511A2-F1C5-4E9A-AE70-53DB6E228759.jpeg
 
Looks great!! Now you made a few how about making a hybrid of your two saddles. Has the best of both worlds I’m sure you could make a one of a kind you would be happy with
 
Alright fellas, I talked to @jhunter13 and after giving it some more thought I know where I messed up. I added up the following and somehow got 22” before folds when it should have been 19”. It’s apparent that I can’t do simple arithmetic. You can measure twice and cut once all dang day but it won’t make a difference if your measurement isn’t what it’s suppose to be haha!
3D6E81CE-D72F-42BD-AD43-12EF294D59D4.jpeg
At first I marked the 3x 1.5” folds and sewed the top pleat but notice it wasn’t reaching the middle. I knew it the overall dimension with the pleat was 13 so I knew each half when folded needed to be 6.5”. I kept measuring the dang thing and getting 22” so I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. It turned out that the 22” was the problem all along. That said I have 2” pleats and a 4” bottom so the saddle is opening a good bit more than it should. No problem though, I’m going to go back and sew the pleat closed a little bit. I’ll make sure to correct this on my next build.
 
Anyone have a picture of the webbing bridges they put on the newer Aerohunter flexs? I know they used austri alpine buckles of some kind. Thanks!
 
jhunter13 said:
I believe one side is girth hitched amd the other is using the these

Belt Buckles – AustriAlpin

austrialpin.net austrialpin.net
Click to expand...
Yea they are and I have the frame buckles but there are several ways to configure them. The way that aerohunter had them made them easily adjustable. I have had my bridge slip some on the frame buckles so I stopped using them until I can try out how Aerohunter had theirs.
 
I’m hoping to get back to sewing this summer. I refurbished that singer 151 and haven’t even used it :/ I have used the transformer clone for two seasons now so have some changes in mind to fit my needs.
 
They wouldnt work with me.i think they where planing to retire.or they are just not crazy.nice peeps though.i would have loved to work for them.but i think my ubnoctious ultra lite pitch goes against most extra safe principals.
 
Last edited:
Nice clean work! Dang this forum is loaded with talented people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top