I had never thought about making a frame from PVC. Immediately I went out and bought the materials. I have made several changes but the basic concept was great. I would recommend buying the ratcheting pipe cutters. Also there are 45 degree fittings which will allow you to make adjustments without heating and bending the pipes. This was the best video I ever seen you make!....and I have seen them all.
This is s great idea for bigger guys like me who have a hard time finding a pack with wider shoulder straps that hangs comfortably. Thanks for the idea Dave, I'm gonna get right on this one!
Dave remember the thin wall pvc gets brittle when exposed to cold . You fall on that backpack in cold winter weather and it is going to break all up.Sorry for reminding u,it looks really nice.I really look forward to seeing what your gunna come up with next !!
Swiss Army Engineer Pack 50 liters is a good choice as well. I will do a review of one i have used in Russia for the past six months. Made in 1981 and still performs flawlessly. I will guess Duluth have had a look at one of these back in the day:) Regards, Lars
Good idea, PVC does get brittle when its cold, like 20 F or less. I would not glue it. I would wrap mine in para cord so I can use the para cord and the PVC pieces for shelter or stand, especially if I'm in an area that does not give me that luxury...plus you can store things within the PVC like cordage, kindling, even water with a tight seal...you can also use a piece to use as a blow gun depending on diameter...
I would glue the majority of it and leave a couple joint open for storage and still wrap with cordage. If you had to dissasemble even more, just cut it. Really like your storage idea btw!
Something I just thought of is for some of the pipes that are against your back more you could take pipe insulation and tape it to give a bit more cushion against your back. I love your ideas and your videos, thanks for all that you do for us.
I made one a while back and I love it. I just did some mods to my pvc frame and I am taking it this weekend to test them out. I took my frame and filled it with a can of spray foam and now it floats. I thought it might help if I have had to cross water or if I fell in. That and a few sea line bags could save my gear or my life. Try it and see if you like it. As always thank you for the video and your time.
Nice.... Rob built me a fishing pole holder for my Alice pack, out of 2" PVC pipe complete with an end cap at one end then a screw on cover thing on the other where I stick my 2 piece fishing pole in, the whole thing is only 2'-6" tall and works great!!! It attaches right to the side of my pack, what a great addition it makes!!! Also if need be it could become a water carrier or a place to put wild berries..... . Merrie~Merrie
One thing I would add is a wooden dowel inside the horizontal tube for the shoulder straps, I built one years ago for trapping and it shattered one day when it was about 10 below zero, I used tees one the top tube with a short stub and cap at the top so a old mail bag w/2 loops at the opening just hung on the stubs, nice job Dave
Hey Dave, Great pack frame project... It would be cool to make one of the top elbows a tee with a plug and the same with the bottom so if you wanted to you could use the frame itself to carry water. Top plug to fill and bottom plug to drain. It really wouldn't add to much weight if you didn't want to fill it all the time but if need be you could. I'm sure that frame would hold a good deal of water too. It's like I always say... Let's all learn from each other. Joe Tactical
Great job, Dave! It's amazing to me how few people really appreciate pack frames. The Alice frame has served me very well, especially when combined with a net. When tied to the frame, the net creates a multitude of possibilities.
Dave, Since you used pvc pipe for added comfort and padding you could use some foam pvc insulation for padding the frame and deadning it to keep it from making a lot of noise if scrapped by tree limbs brush or hard objects on or in your pack. A wrapping of duct tape would help protect the foam insulation and would eliminate painting the frame.
Dave, good stuff. I just told a friend of mine two days ago that he doesn't have to spend a lot of money on a hiking pack, that he could do this and make one out of PVC that is custom-fit to his body. I plan to make one soon that turns into a bucksaw, blowgun, and maybe even one of those PVC break-down bows, etc., I've been thinking about it for quite some time now I just have find work first. lol Good stuff man.
If you take the back and rear legs of an old wooden chair they have the perfect bend to make a pack frame. I have made dozens of them in the past. If wood is what you want, that may be the way to go for you. pvc is great, too, and very versatile. good luck to you.
Top Flight as usual Mr. Dave. Getting Some great ideas watching your vids. As for the pack I am really looking at an army duffel bag, with or without straps to attach to frame, I remember getting a lot of stuff in one of those when I was single. And they collapse small. I have an old canvas boy scout pack , very nice but getting a little thin. Its like a canvas box with a flap. I had orange - alum frame pack in old days, I liked it in all honesty. It served me well in its day.
Excellent !.. I bet you could insert a threaded PVC coupling at the top of the frame so you can fill it with drinking water. Multi-use, multi-function! Dig all your videos man.
Love this. Alice Packs are expensive to buy here in the UK as they're all imported so this is a fantastic alternative, for those of us who want to try them out, especially with the alteration suggested by BornRandy62. Thanks Dave.
Yet another great idea! You gave me one actually. Since it is so light if one were to use appropriate materials, a threaded tee in the top may be a great means to pack extra water as well.
so im sure someone has pointed this out by as of right now you can pick up new alice pack straps without the frame for about 10 bucks on ebay, and another 10 bucks in pvc your into this for less then a used Alice pack with a lot more capability. id like to see if it could hold up to 45+ pounds of gear or better yet a 75lb moose 1/4 before id recommend friend make one but i have to admit the idea is intriguing.
Man what a great idea Dave. I can get the alice straps at Surplus City for 10 bucks and pick up some pvc parts at Lowe's. You just give me a great project to do this weekend thanks man.
Dave I had an idea for the pvc pack frame. as we all know it has to have at least three uses or it is no good. if in one of the top corners instead of using a elbow you could use a tee that has threads in the top in which you screw in a plug thus making the whole pack frame a water storage container. I think it may only hold 32 oz of water. Just remember not to leave water in it in a winter situation or it could freeze and destroy the frame. Keep vids coming You Rock Brother!
Hey Dave, nice job. Quick design note though. If you would replace one of the top elbows with a T, you can run a small pipe to a fitting that can be screwed on and off so you can use the frame pack for backup water storage.
I like it Dave. PVC is light and easy to work with but I never thought about making a pack rack out of it. But you did a great job. I make knife cases out of PVC for my knives and PVC Hunting survival Bows So why not a backpack rack frame. Thanks for sharing Dave.
Dave, as usual you have come up with a great way for the common man to still have the ability to do things in the outdoors. I am a bigger guy and I have an alice pack and yes it does seem a bit small for me. I carried one for quite some time in the army and they were a bit uncomfortable most of the time. I do however like the capacity of the large alice pack system. I am going to have to make me a bigger frame. Thanks for all your time and effort to educate us common men.
Thats a great idea Dave, I'm going to make one. You should use primer on the joints before you glue them. They sell next to the glue. I have done allot of projects with Pvc and its pretty strong. i think i might use the heavier pipe. Pipe does crack. Great vid
Hey Dave If you are looking for a cheap and good pading for your frame black foam Pipe insolation works good. I used it on my ruck when I was in the Army and did a ton of ruck marches with it.
Interesting idea, I would like to see a video of how it copes with hauling game. I could see this being very good for your dedicated fisherman as your rectangular tackle boxes would strap to that pretty good. Personally, I would wander if the shelf could be a little smaller (and still useful) and the (shelf) joints reinforced just to make it a little stronger. Great stuff!
Another great vid Dave. I've made some pvs rod holders for my inflatable boat, and one way of bending pvc without de-forming is to fill it up with sand and cap it. And then heat it with heat gun. No need to glue the caps. Little more labourous but i think bent pvc without defromation is stronger n plus looks neater.
Love to see these kinds of videos Dave. I enjoy most of your stuff, but the DIY stuff like this reminds me of back when I first discovered your channel. Keep doing what you're doing man, it's appreciated!
nice job brother. I have personally built a couple of these now and I think you're really going to enjoy it. but it does take a little while to get them I just did to your body. that's a good thing about pvc piping you can heat it up in Bend It in heated up and bend it as many times as you need to.
I love this idea. I believe it would float in water depending on how much weight it is loaded with it could save your gear in a canoe flip or such. As always, thank you very much for your videos!
Great idea Dave. After your Roycroft pack video I was thinking on making a square frame out of aluminum tubing with a very simple shelf for my hammock and tarp, very close to what you just did. Thanks for the ideas
Really cool idea. I was thinking about making an ash pack frame after chatting with a journeyman. But steam bending is a lot of work. Great idea to make it out of PVC!
Great idea! You're still the most versatile and inventive instructor out there! . . One remark: several doctors / physiotherapist told me, that I should never carry anything on my back, that pushes directly on my spine, so I would rather use 2 of these pipes putting the weight on my ribs instead of my spine... . . One and a half questions: which are the important ingredients of your glue & paint ? (Since I won't find the same brands here in Europe...) . . THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US !!!
With the addition of different caps and reducers you could have a preemo setup for additional compartments too. I think I'm going to draw one up. This is awesome.
Hey Dave I would recommend putting a t fitting on the top corners of the frame so you can utilize the empty cavities of space and fill them with a few arrows. and instead of bending the side pieces of pvc you would just have to bend the middle section.
I made one that looks similar to his before watching this. I made it to carry heavy loads and only used paracord, some rope, small carabiners, pvc joints, and pvc rods to make the frame. I heaviest load was between 100-150 pounds I forgot the exact weight.
casual observation: replacing the top 90s with Ts would allow you to use the hollow tube for storeage of metal rods or bow saw blades or other long narrow objects. metal rods would also act as re-bar stiffeners for structural strength
i look forward to the proofing. so far, its an awsome idea. saw a video by crypticcricket on how to make knife sheaths outs of heating this light gauge pvc.
Instead of heating the pipe up and canting the top head bar you should have used what's know as a street 45 or maybe a street 22 degree fitting for the offset. This would maintain more rigidity throughout the offsets. Also use of an extra set of tee's at the bottom shelf with street fitting and tees on the back frame portion so you could include a gusset rail for more shelf support. These are just some suggestions from a plumber =)
great video, i know that the point of the video was a larger pack frame to hail wood and game. I just want to add on the alice is that you put your sleeping pad on the bottom threw the straps on the botton of the alice and your MSS goes on the top and is straped down with the straps that close the pack. i do argee that even thought I think the Alice is still is a great pack that Dave has a great point in that it is small for bushcraft. looks like thats about the same size as the Bull pack frame
Also adding threaded plugs to the top Ts would allow you to fill the frame with water for an extra water carrying source. from the size I would think at least 30 ounces of extra water could be carried inside the frame and using pipe insulation for padding like in my other coment it would help to keep it cool or use hot water to keep warm on cold days. I think I will make one of these for myself.
I really like this video. Thanks Dave. Looking forward to seeing how well it holds up. I would enjoy seeing you make and test a PVC bow and arrows. I have seen lots of people making them, but they don't actually take them out and test the final item in the woods.
This is an awesome idea, but I would glue everything except for the top connectors. Where the top bar connects to the top back support I would leave those alone so that the top bar could be removed. This would allow for storage of other items that may be needed in an emergency situation but not in your regular trip into the woods. Still an awesome idea, this could go really far.
Man, I just think this pack frame is fantastic! Both this and the Roycroft. I've been thinkin' about this and possible mods to it all night. If you had a place to attach two longer wooden branches to it on either side, you would in effect have a travois. And if you put a cross piece at the bottom, small wheels it would make conveyance of heavy gear easier over distances, to conserve calories, and/or for older folks, or out of shape folks (me), or for folks with health problems.
Dave, you could have also used a 22 1/2 degree fitting at the top & on the middle contours. This would have taken place of the heat gun. I'm curious to see how the pvc holds up after being stretched during the bending process. sch 20 is pretty flimsy anyway. Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, I was a plumber before I became disabled so seeing you work with pipe brought a smile to my face lol. If you end up not liking what you've got, you might try the 22 & see if that helps. Keep'em comin'!
Good idea. You will have a problem with weight transfer to the hit belt when you load the pack. There is no transfer point to the hip belt. That is why the ALICE pack frame has those protrusions that go into the side of the belt.
it would add a little weight but if you picked a section of tubing and duct tapped a hack saw to part of it you could fit some cord,a few water tabs, few zip lock bags, thinly rolled trash bag, thin knife, ferro rod, and some jute in the tubes. if it came down to it you could cut open the frame for most of the 5 c's. plus you have a few bits of duct tape.
Really like this one Dave. 2 thoughts. 1: if you don't have heat gun, maybe you could use 45 deg. connectors. Slightly heavier but then only cutting is involved. 2: Even on PVC the paint will come of fairly quick. What about getting some gorilla tape and wrapping the whole thing. Yes the tape will wear but not as fast and you can always add tape to the worn spots without having to tear everything off the frame. Bonus would be that you can make any color (camo)!! :D Take care, Be safe....Scott
You could also take this design and turn it into a container. Use if to carry water or trapping snares, things of that nature! Multi purpose backpack frame.
Dave if you filled with sand tapped it off your elbows would bend more like a pipe bending machine job than collapsing as it did. The sand would support the shape of the pipe when you bent it.
wow what a great video, your always thinking i love it i really wish you would come to ontario like the Toronto Sportsmen Show you would steal the show for sure.
Make sure those shoulder straps come from behind your neck - close together or even maybe cross them over. I find it matters a lot when carrying for longer time/heavier weights. Also thinking: How much water could you store INSIDE the frame? Put a hose on the bottom and a fill opening on the top and you've got yourself a blather of sorts. Thanx for another nice video.
I had a thought about the curve at the bottom of the pack. Use either a pipe bender or a pulley wheel, that will fit your pvc. As you heat the pipe (small sections) begin to slowly bend it over the curve.your heater mayb a lil to close to the pvc
Just a thought. Perhaps add a small spigot (low on the frame) and add a fill point at the top. You could then optionally fill the frame with water. It could act as a built in bladder?
A little more on the thought of filling the frame with water. Schedule 40 PVC has a volume of .026 gallons per foot. If you used perhaps 8 ft of PVC in this frame, you could (if filled) have about 3 cups of water as an emergency reserve, with the addition of only two threaded fittings, a top and a bottom one. For a true survival situation, I might consider filling it with a boiled honey/water mixture for energy. Might give you the energy to continue that extra few miles to save you, who knows?
this is a good pack frame I had made one about a year ago . It is holding together very well so far ,But I have screwed mine together so if one of the parts gets broken or damaged just unscrew it and replace it with a new one. If you glue it your " screwed"
You know at the beginning of the vid I was thinking why bend it when you can put a 90degree bend in instead. lol Another great vid Dave, great stuff thanks.
You can use a three way joint with a threaded cap at the top to make for an easy fill/pour spout. The problem then becomes constantly tipping the pack upside down for dispensing. For little cost and weight you could create a plunger that can be secured in a quick turn to create positive air pressure and dispense the water.
I had never thought about making a frame from PVC. Immediately I went out and bought the materials. I have made several changes but the basic concept was great. I would recommend buying the ratcheting pipe cutters. Also there are 45 degree fittings which will allow you to make adjustments without heating and bending the pipes. This was the best video I ever seen you make!....and I have seen them all.
This is s great idea for bigger guys like me who have a hard time finding a pack with wider shoulder straps that hangs comfortably. Thanks for the idea Dave, I'm gonna get right on this one!
i love making things from pvc pipe. the thin wall pvc pipe you used makes real cool knife handles and all other pvc pipe does too.
Dave remember the thin wall pvc gets brittle when exposed to cold . You fall on that backpack in cold winter weather and it is going to break all up.Sorry for reminding u,it looks really nice.I really look forward to seeing what your gunna come up with next !!
Swiss Army Engineer Pack 50 liters is a good choice as well. I will do a review of one i have used in Russia for the past six months. Made in 1981 and still performs flawlessly. I will guess Duluth have had a look at one of these back in the day:)
Regards, Lars
Good idea, PVC does get brittle when its cold, like 20 F or less. I would not glue it. I would wrap mine in para cord so I can use the para cord and the PVC pieces for shelter or stand, especially if I'm in an area that does not give me that luxury...plus you can store things within the PVC like cordage, kindling, even water with a tight seal...you can also use a piece to use as a blow gun depending on diameter...
I would glue the majority of it and leave a couple joint open for storage and still wrap with cordage. If you had to dissasemble even more, just cut it. Really like your storage idea btw!
Something I just thought of is for some of the pipes that are against your back more you could take pipe insulation and tape it to give a bit more cushion against your back.
I love your ideas and your videos, thanks for all that you do for us.
I made one a while back and I love it. I just did some mods to my pvc frame and I am taking it this weekend to test them out. I took my frame and filled it with a can of spray foam and now it floats. I thought it might help if I have had to cross water or if I fell in. That and a few sea line bags could save my gear or my life. Try it and see if you like it. As always thank you for the video and your time.
just wanted to let you know i have been enjoying this series.
Nice.... Rob built me a fishing pole holder for my Alice pack, out of 2" PVC pipe complete with an end cap at one end then a screw on cover thing on the other where I stick my 2 piece fishing pole in, the whole thing is only 2'-6" tall and works great!!!
It attaches right to the side of my pack, what a great addition it makes!!!
Also if need be it could become a water carrier or a place to put wild berries.....
.
Merrie~Merrie
One thing I would add is a wooden dowel inside the horizontal tube for the shoulder straps, I built one years ago for trapping and it shattered one day when it was about 10 below zero, I used tees one the top tube with a short stub and cap at the top so a old mail bag w/2 loops at the opening just hung on the stubs, nice job Dave
Hey Dave, Great pack frame project...
It would be cool to make one of the top elbows a tee with a plug and the same with the bottom so if you wanted to you could use the frame itself to carry water. Top plug to fill and bottom plug to drain. It really wouldn't add to much weight if you didn't want to fill it all the time but if need be you could. I'm sure that frame would hold a good deal of water too. It's like I always say... Let's all learn from each other. Joe Tactical
Great job, Dave! It's amazing to me how few people really appreciate pack frames. The Alice frame has served me very well, especially when combined with a net. When tied to the frame, the net creates a multitude of possibilities.
Going to build one of these this weekend so came back to get a refresher. This guy, Mr Canterbury, is a frigging genius.
Dave,
Since you used pvc pipe for added comfort and padding you could use some foam pvc insulation for padding the frame and deadning it to keep it from making a lot of noise if scrapped by tree limbs brush or hard objects on or in your pack. A wrapping of duct tape would help protect the foam insulation and would eliminate painting the frame.
Dave, good stuff. I just told a friend of mine two days ago that he doesn't have to spend a lot of money on a hiking pack, that he could do this and make one out of PVC that is custom-fit to his body. I plan to make one soon that turns into a bucksaw, blowgun, and maybe even one of those PVC break-down bows, etc., I've been thinking about it for quite some time now I just have find work first. lol Good stuff man.
If you take the back and rear legs of an old wooden chair they have the perfect bend to make a pack frame. I have made dozens of them in the past. If wood is what you want, that may be the way to go for you. pvc is great, too, and very versatile. good luck to you.
Top Flight as usual Mr. Dave. Getting Some great ideas watching your vids. As for the pack I am really looking at an army duffel bag, with or without straps to attach to frame, I remember getting a lot of stuff in one of those when I was single. And they collapse small. I have an old canvas boy scout pack , very nice but getting a little thin. Its like a canvas box with a flap. I had orange - alum frame pack in old days, I liked it in all honesty. It served me well in its day.
The hot sand method you spoke of allows you to make those sharp radii without the deformity. Of course the elbows are just so much easier to use.
Kelty makes a nice external frame with a lower shelve. Its alittle bigger but works too. Good vid Dave.
Excellent !.. I bet you could insert a threaded PVC coupling at the top of the frame so you can fill it with drinking water. Multi-use, multi-function!
Dig all your videos man.
Very cool, think I'm going to try this. I'll fill the inside with expanding foam to add support and strength to the pipe.
Love this. Alice Packs are expensive to buy here in the UK as they're all imported so this is a fantastic alternative, for those of us who want to try them out, especially with the alteration suggested by BornRandy62.
Thanks Dave.
Yet another great idea! You gave me one actually. Since it is so light if one were to use appropriate materials, a threaded tee in the top may be a great means to pack extra water as well.
so im sure someone has pointed this out by as of right now you can pick up new alice pack straps without the frame for about 10 bucks on ebay, and another 10 bucks in pvc your into this for less then a used Alice pack with a lot more capability. id like to see if it could hold up to 45+ pounds of gear or better yet a 75lb moose 1/4 before id recommend friend make one but i have to admit the idea is intriguing.
Another great idea, I made a pack board out of hardwood from a kit I purchased. It was sure pretty but so heavy I couldn't really use it.
Man what a great idea Dave. I can get the alice straps at Surplus City for 10 bucks and pick up some pvc parts at Lowe's. You just give me a great project to do this weekend thanks man.
Dave I had an idea for the pvc pack frame. as we all know it has to have at least three uses or it is no good. if in one of the top corners instead of using a elbow you could use a tee that has threads in the top in which you screw in a plug thus making the whole pack frame a water storage container. I think it may only hold 32 oz of water. Just remember not to leave water in it in a winter situation or it could freeze and destroy the frame. Keep vids coming You Rock Brother!
Hey Dave, nice job.
Quick design note though. If you would replace one of the top elbows with a T, you can run a small pipe to a fitting that can be screwed on and off so you can use the frame pack for backup water storage.
I like it Dave. PVC is light and easy to work with but I never thought about making a pack rack out of it. But you did a great job. I make knife cases out of PVC for my knives and PVC Hunting survival Bows So why not a backpack rack frame. Thanks for sharing Dave.
Dave, as usual you have come up with a great way for the common man to still have the ability to do things in the outdoors. I am a bigger guy and I have an alice pack and yes it does seem a bit small for me. I carried one for quite some time in the army and they were a bit uncomfortable most of the time. I do however like the capacity of the large alice pack system. I am going to have to make me a bigger frame. Thanks for all your time and effort to educate us common men.
Thats a great idea Dave, I'm going to make one. You should use primer on the joints before you glue them. They sell next to the glue. I have done allot of projects with Pvc and its pretty strong. i think i might use the heavier pipe. Pipe does crack. Great vid
Excellent info. Snowshoes! Now that sounds like a good material for that too.
Thanks Dave love these Bullet proof videos
Excellent idea Dave and a great tweak from BornRandy62 - looking forward to seeing how the frame holds up in use
Hey Dave
If you are looking for a cheap and good pading for your frame black foam Pipe insolation works good. I used it on my ruck when I was in the Army and did a ton of ruck marches with it.
Interesting idea, I would like to see a video of how it copes with hauling game. I could see this being very good for your dedicated fisherman as your rectangular tackle boxes would strap to that pretty good. Personally, I would wander if the shelf could be a little smaller (and still useful) and the (shelf) joints reinforced just to make it a little stronger. Great stuff!
Another great vid Dave.
I've made some pvs rod holders for my inflatable boat, and one way of bending pvc without de-forming is to fill it up with sand and cap it. And then heat it with heat gun.
No need to glue the caps. Little more labourous but i think bent pvc without defromation is stronger n plus looks neater.
Dave if you want some padding on the back supports you could use foam pipe insulation on the cheap and still keep it light , that things kool
Love to see these kinds of videos Dave. I enjoy most of your stuff, but the DIY stuff like this reminds me of back when I first discovered your channel. Keep doing what you're doing man, it's appreciated!
nice job brother. I have personally built a couple of these now and I think you're really going to enjoy it. but it does take a little while to get them I just did to your body. that's a good thing about pvc piping you can heat it up in Bend It in heated up and bend it as many times as you need to.
Dave you make me proud to be an Ohioan
I love this idea. I believe it would float in water depending on how much weight it is loaded with it could save your gear in a canoe flip or such. As always, thank you very much for your videos!
Great idea Dave. After your Roycroft pack video I was thinking on making a square frame out of aluminum tubing with a very simple shelf for my hammock and tarp, very close to what you just did.
Thanks for the ideas
Really cool idea. I was thinking about making an ash pack frame after chatting with a journeyman. But steam bending is a lot of work. Great idea to make it out of PVC!
Great idea! You're still the most versatile and inventive instructor out there!
. .
One remark: several doctors / physiotherapist told me, that I should never carry anything on my back, that pushes directly on my spine, so I would rather use 2 of these pipes putting the weight on my ribs instead of my spine...
. .
One and a half questions: which are the important ingredients of your glue & paint ? (Since I won't find the same brands here in Europe...)
. .
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US !!!
I'm going to have to try this. These frames might be another project for my church youth group.
With the addition of different caps and reducers you could have a preemo setup for additional compartments too. I think I'm going to draw one up. This is awesome.
Hey Dave I would recommend putting a t fitting on the top corners of the frame so you can utilize the empty cavities of space and fill them with a few arrows. and instead of bending the side pieces of pvc you would just have to bend the middle section.
I made one that looks similar to his before watching this. I made it to carry heavy loads and only used paracord, some rope, small carabiners, pvc joints, and pvc rods to make the frame. I heaviest load was between 100-150 pounds I forgot the exact weight.
Looks great Dave.
Dave seem to amaze me with the ideas you come up with I'm going to come to your school one these days
casual observation: replacing the top 90s with Ts would allow you to use the hollow tube for storeage of metal rods or bow saw blades or other long narrow objects. metal rods would also act as re-bar stiffeners for structural strength
i look forward to the proofing. so far, its an awsome idea. saw a video by crypticcricket on how to make knife sheaths outs of heating this light gauge pvc.
Nice job Dave!
Instead of heating the pipe up and canting the top head bar you should have used what's know as a street 45 or maybe a street 22 degree fitting for the offset. This would maintain more rigidity throughout the offsets. Also use of an extra set of tee's at the bottom shelf with street fitting and tees on the back frame portion so you could include a gusset rail for more shelf support. These are just some suggestions from a plumber =)
Thats awesome Dave! Great job!
damn it. I just cleaned the garage. here we go again... thanks Dave, genius. Gonna try some pipe insulation for added padding.
Thanks for such a great idea brother! I am gonna have to make one of these for when I go backpacking. You saved me a lot of money today Dave. Thanks
great video, i know that the point of the video was a larger pack frame to hail wood and game. I just want to add on the alice is that you put your sleeping pad on the bottom threw the straps on the botton of the alice and your MSS goes on the top and is straped down with the straps that close the pack. i do argee that even thought I think the Alice is still is a great pack that Dave has a great point in that it is small for bushcraft. looks like thats about the same size as the Bull pack frame
i like your vids dave and i like the comments sections i get some good ideas from everyone thank you
Looking forward to updates on the frame. It looks like a great option. Looking forward to the pack video and how this integrates with that.
Also adding threaded plugs to the top Ts would allow you to fill the frame with water for an extra water carrying source. from the size I would think at least 30 ounces of extra water could be carried inside the frame and using pipe insulation for padding like in my other coment it would help to keep it cool or use hot water to keep warm on cold days. I think I will make one of these for myself.
I really like this video. Thanks Dave. Looking forward to seeing how well it holds up.
I would enjoy seeing you make and test a PVC bow and arrows. I have seen lots of people making them, but they don't actually take them out and test the final item in the woods.
This is an awesome idea, but I would glue everything except for the top connectors. Where the top bar connects to the top back support I would leave those alone so that the top bar could be removed. This would allow for storage of other items that may be needed in an emergency situation but not in your regular trip into the woods. Still an awesome idea, this could go really far.
He makes great videos about nice inexpensive bows.
Man, I just think this pack frame is fantastic! Both this and the Roycroft. I've been thinkin' about this and possible mods to it all night. If you had a place to attach two longer wooden branches to it on either side, you would in effect have a travois. And if you put a cross piece at the bottom, small wheels it would make conveyance of heavy gear easier over distances, to conserve calories, and/or for older folks, or out of shape folks (me), or for folks with health problems.
Dave, you could have also used a 22 1/2 degree fitting at the top & on the middle contours. This would have taken place of the heat gun. I'm curious to see how the pvc holds up after being stretched during the bending process. sch 20 is pretty flimsy anyway. Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, I was a plumber before I became disabled so seeing you work with pipe brought a smile to my face lol. If you end up not liking what you've got, you might try the 22 & see if that helps. Keep'em comin'!
Good idea. You will have a problem with weight transfer to the hit belt when you load the pack. There is no transfer point to the hip belt. That is why the ALICE pack frame has those protrusions that go into the side of the belt.
it would add a little weight but if you picked a section of tubing and duct tapped a hack saw to part of it you could fit some cord,a few water tabs, few zip lock bags, thinly rolled trash bag, thin knife, ferro rod, and some jute in the tubes. if it came down to it you could cut open the frame for most of the 5 c's. plus you have a few bits of duct tape.
Also if you had a T with a threaded end and cap you could use it for water storage. Multifunctional!
Great I was going to make a frame pack out of pvc but never went through with it. Great work.
Brother Dave, make sure you use a primer before cementing the PVC together. the hold will be stronger and will last longer
Really like this one Dave. 2 thoughts. 1: if you don't have heat gun, maybe you could use 45 deg. connectors. Slightly heavier but then only cutting is involved. 2: Even on PVC the paint will come of fairly quick. What about getting some gorilla tape and wrapping the whole thing. Yes the tape will wear but not as fast and you can always add tape to the worn spots without having to tear everything off the frame. Bonus would be that you can make any color (camo)!! :D
Take care, Be safe....Scott
impressively crafty...good job.
You could also take this design and turn it into a container. Use if to carry water or trapping snares, things of that nature! Multi purpose backpack frame.
Very cool idea and Job. Thanks for sharing.
very cool project I think i am going to try this also i have been thinking about trying to modify a alice frame too
Dave if you filled with sand tapped it off your elbows would bend more like a pipe bending machine job than collapsing as it did. The sand would support the shape of the pipe when you bent it.
I really love this series, it is creative and fun! Thank you.
You look great with glasses Dave. Got the wiseman gandolf look going on. Nice!
wow what a great video, your always thinking i love it i really wish you would come to ontario like the Toronto Sportsmen Show you would steal the show for sure.
Great video Dave the amazing DIY stuff that you post is one of the many reasons why I watch your channel. Keep up the great work!
Make sure those shoulder straps come from behind your neck - close together or even maybe cross them over. I find it matters a lot when carrying for longer time/heavier weights.
Also thinking: How much water could you store INSIDE the frame? Put a hose on the bottom and a fill opening on the top and you've got yourself a blather of sorts.
Thanx for another nice video.
You should use your barnet wildcat crossbow in the cabin fever series keep up the great work brother!
I had a thought about the curve at the bottom of the pack. Use either a pipe bender or a pulley wheel, that will fit your pvc. As you heat the pipe (small sections) begin to slowly bend it over the curve.your heater mayb a lil to close to the pvc
way to think outside the box dave, on the cheap ya don't even need the heat gun, I use an elec stove top works great
that's awesome dave
great vid Dave as always.
i have an old alice pack that i found many years back. im going to build me a frame like yours thanks much .
Dave! I'm also a wrangler man. SWB 2dr old school is king
Just a thought. Perhaps add a small spigot (low on the frame) and add a fill point at the top. You could then optionally fill the frame with water. It could act as a built in bladder?
A little more on the thought of filling the frame with water. Schedule 40 PVC has a volume of .026 gallons per foot. If you used perhaps 8 ft of PVC in this frame, you could (if filled) have about 3 cups of water as an emergency reserve, with the addition of only two threaded fittings, a top and a bottom one. For a true survival situation, I might consider filling it with a boiled honey/water mixture for energy. Might give you the energy to continue that extra few miles to save you, who knows?
Man, this is awesome. I was looking for a project this weekend and this for sure it. Way to think outside the box man.
this is a good pack frame I had made one about a year ago . It is holding together very well so far ,But I have screwed mine together so if one of the parts gets broken or damaged just unscrew it and replace it with a new one. If you glue it your " screwed"
Very good video, Dave. Glad to see the "common man" videos back again. Keep it up!
Brilliant, great job.
Dave, YOU ARE GOOD!!!!!
You know at the beginning of the vid I was thinking why bend it when you can put a 90degree bend in instead. lol
Another great vid Dave, great stuff thanks.
You can use a three way joint with a threaded cap at the top to make for an easy fill/pour spout. The problem then becomes constantly tipping the pack upside down for dispensing. For little cost and weight you could create a plunger that can be secured in a quick turn to create positive air pressure and dispense the water.
another great 1,thanks I will make it this weekend.