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New option for saddle

I'll have an update later this evening most likely. Adding a couple of features that will make this thing pretty damn cozy for the money and time that will be into it - and I'm having a blast.

Two notes for now:

I mentioned that I bought several slings in 10" and 12" width. I'm happy to cut pieces for you all to make slings if you pay for my cost and the shipping (somewhere between 15-20.00 total). Oh, and the most important detail - help me figure out how to cut 12" wide heavy duty webbing without buying a few hundred dollar commercial hot knife!

I'm going to have about 100.00 in materials in this when it's done. There are some options to make it considerably cheaper, but I am pointing this out to illustrate that I'm not doing it to save money(even though you can), I'm doing it to have fun. I'm seeing through an option that's been eating at me since I first bought a sit drag.
 
Well, here's a sneak peak. I don't have everything fully sewn on, as I wanted to test fit. I'll finish all the stitching over the next couple days, but it's pretty dialed in.

You could swap out all of the buckles for plastic side buckles, and use lighter duty webbing if you don't intend on having them for anything other than positioning. I'm going to be using mine in place of harness, so I want it all quite strong. I used a cobra buckle with a load ring on it for the belt. I will tie off to this ring as a backup to the bridge. I'll probably have a sling girth hitched around one leg strap, ran through the belt buckle d ring, and around the other leg strap. This will complete the full backup harness mode, and eliminate need for rock harness. You'd drop about half a pound if you didn't use metal buckles and smaller straps. I'd also recommend following NT's method, and using a belt buckle that adjusts on both sides to stay in the middle. I kind of split the difference, and since it's a backup, I really don't mind it being slightly off center(plus it was a buckle I already owned).

The bridge is temporary, and, due to the length of the side loops, I won't need more than about a 12-18" bridge.

IMG_9186 (2).JPG

I'll update again once I have it fully sewn up, and get a chance to climb/sit with it.
 
I have the leg loops fully stitched in. I still have to finish the belt stitching by hand, not looking forward to it. It's definitely more of a "leaner" setup. You want to tie in at eye level, with ropeman nearly all the way up against the girth hitch. It still cups some if the angle of your tie in point gets too steep. This puts all the pressure on the two small loops.

My plan as of now is to finish stitching the belt, and play with tie in points to see what's most comfortable. We have some cooler weather coming over the next few days, so hopefully my next picture I have a shirt on (sorry I got into yard work and remembered I wanted to get quick pic of it in action. Plus, i'm hairy as hell so I don't really need a shirt...

I'm going to experiment with a way to keep the webbing flat. I think i'm going to try a piece of aluminum flat bar across the back of the short sides of the webbing on either side. that should force the webbing to stay flat and spread pressure more evenly. Again - you can't put a price on body mapping by the professionals. This is just my humble attempt...
 
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