Zddog
Well-Known Member
Nice work on the saddle. I don't trust myself enough to build my own lol. The straps that are hanging off are those leg straps? and if so what do they tie into?
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DIY Mesh Saddle
- Thread starter skell
- Start date
Nice work on the saddle. I don't trust myself enough to build my own lol. The straps that are hanging off are those leg straps? and if so what do they tie into?
They are leg straps...and they don't tie into anything yet. I keep looking at buckle options and can't decide. I will probably pick up some of the ITW waveloc g-hooks to try.
Swampfox
Well-Known Member
I got mine from a vendor on Etsy. However I have been looking into this
https://www.ahh.biz/mesh/military/mesh_nylon_raschel_milspec_material.php
https://www.ahh.biz/mesh/military/mesh_nylon_raschel_milspec_material.php
Here are some links that i have found. I have been planning and sourcing for future projects Prices range from 6.99/ yard up to 17.39/ yard.
http://www.rockywoods.com/Mil-Spec-Heavyweight-Mesh-Fabric
https://www.etsy.com/listing/571486...5c954UXwcM4xjvQOBt2k7ubBmLBRvIexoCcd8QAvD_BwE
http://www.rockywoods.com/Mil-Spec-Heavyweight-Mesh-Fabric
https://www.etsy.com/listing/571486...5c954UXwcM4xjvQOBt2k7ubBmLBRvIexoCcd8QAvD_BwE
That etsy link looks like what I used. The stuff is strong.
Both links state being manufactured to the same military specs...
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BudgetBuck1
Active Member
I will take some pictures and try to get them posted tonight.
BudgetBuck1
Active Member
First pic is of my son's saddle with bags attached. Second pic is of it attached to me for walking. Third pic is action shot(minus actual bow). Fourth picture is what I do with my lineman's belt instead of putting it in a pouch. I use it as a secondary tether at hunting height in case the primary fails.
Attachments
Ok...finally at a keyboard.
Materials I used:
2 inch seat belt webbing for belt and frame (lots of sources, I used strapworks)
- rated breaking strength 6000 lbs, working load limit 2000 lbs
Mil spec mesh fabric for the seat (see posts above for sources, I don't recall where I purchased mine)
- at one point I saw "ball burst" ratings on it, but I can't locate them now. In summary though, strong
Mil spec 1 inch webbing (lots of sources, I used strapworks)
- Not certain on strength rating. Should I need the saddle to catch me, it's the 2 inch seatbelt needing to do the work
Cordura to reinforce connection points (Ebay, I search for "2nds cordura" You can find cheap 2nds that have slight defects in the color or print)
Waist belt buckle - not sure of brand. I stole it off my Gorilla full body harness I used with stands.
Of note: I plan to try out 1 inch seatbelt in place of the mil spec webbing for the molle loops and leg straps. The mil spec is great and I will still use it to reinforce connection points, but it puts more strain on my sewing machine. I plan to see if the 1 inch seat belt is easier to work with.
Strapworks basically has everything you need except the mesh fabric and buckles for leg loops depending on what you choose to use there.
Materials I used:
2 inch seat belt webbing for belt and frame (lots of sources, I used strapworks)
- rated breaking strength 6000 lbs, working load limit 2000 lbs
Mil spec mesh fabric for the seat (see posts above for sources, I don't recall where I purchased mine)
- at one point I saw "ball burst" ratings on it, but I can't locate them now. In summary though, strong
Mil spec 1 inch webbing (lots of sources, I used strapworks)
- Not certain on strength rating. Should I need the saddle to catch me, it's the 2 inch seatbelt needing to do the work
Cordura to reinforce connection points (Ebay, I search for "2nds cordura" You can find cheap 2nds that have slight defects in the color or print)
Waist belt buckle - not sure of brand. I stole it off my Gorilla full body harness I used with stands.
Of note: I plan to try out 1 inch seatbelt in place of the mil spec webbing for the molle loops and leg straps. The mil spec is great and I will still use it to reinforce connection points, but it puts more strain on my sewing machine. I plan to see if the 1 inch seat belt is easier to work with.
Strapworks basically has everything you need except the mesh fabric and buckles for leg loops depending on what you choose to use there.
@g2outdoors Here's the pic to give size perspective. The lineman loops could be a little larger. They are pretty close to the size on my RC harness I used last year. I'll take your advice and make them bigger on the next one.
For anyone trying this with a home machine, the second pic shows my offset of belt and frame. This reduced the layers by one when sewing the top molle webbing/lineman loops. Made it a little easier to sew.
For anyone trying this with a home machine, the second pic shows my offset of belt and frame. This reduced the layers by one when sewing the top molle webbing/lineman loops. Made it a little easier to sew.
Looks pretty nice! I know this goes without saying, but make sure to test it EXTENSIVELY at ground level. I'm sure it's safe, but we need to go overboard with our DIY creations. Good luck!
20ftup
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2017
- Messages
- 430
What dimensions would you change on it?Version 1! It's almost ready for a test drive!
It is not @ckossuth quality...but I was doing alot of learning as I sewed. I will say I have a much greater appreciation for the price tag on a purchased saddle.
I do plan to do a version 2 after playing with this one for a while. I can tell I would already make some changes in demensions. And webbing color.
Now to pinch pennies for a predator...
@20ftup
Starting dimensions of the mesh were approx 30x14. I think i would start by reducing the height by 2 inches. For how it fits me, it seems taller than necessary. For reference I'm not a real big guy (6ft, 170lbs). The other thing is I would have a much more significant taper to the edges. I only tapered 2 inches on this one. Hard to tell in the pic where I'm holding it on, but there is a bunch of excess mesh material on the sides.
Increasing the taper would help eliminate the excess mesh and allow for smaller/tighter bridge loops. I feel like the bridge loops are huge on this one.
Starting dimensions of the mesh were approx 30x14. I think i would start by reducing the height by 2 inches. For how it fits me, it seems taller than necessary. For reference I'm not a real big guy (6ft, 170lbs). The other thing is I would have a much more significant taper to the edges. I only tapered 2 inches on this one. Hard to tell in the pic where I'm holding it on, but there is a bunch of excess mesh material on the sides.
Increasing the taper would help eliminate the excess mesh and allow for smaller/tighter bridge loops. I feel like the bridge loops are huge on this one.
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Would it work...maybe/probably. Would I try it...no. I don't see any advantage. You can pick up a yard (enough for multiple saddles) of the mil spec mesh fabric for $10-20 online. And you'll know its built to higher standards. I remember seeing ball burst ratings on the milspec mesh when first shopping for it, but I cant find them now. But to summarize, its tough material.
Just my 2 cents...if I'm building a saddle I need to have confidence in the materials.
After seeing how long it took me to get this one done...can't say i do. I ordered the mesh fabric the day Tethrd posted the first pic showing nothing but the fabric and balled up size. That was months ago. Not to mention, without an industrial sewing machine I'm not going to approach the quality of the Tethrd Mantis or Aero Hunter Kite.