Project: External frame 35L daysack

[panzer0170]

So I picked up a 35L Swedish surplus rucksack from fleet farm. I hear a lot of good things about external frame rucksacks, but I am loathe to spend the dollar on a serious one till I know more. So I picked this one up for $20. If nothing else I can probably use the frame as some sort of radio carrier (not necessarily for long distance, but to keep a bunch of gear together in an at least marginally portable format...) 

Swedish 'LK35';



Not much to it, and I'm aware that the 35L size is going to limit some of the pros of external frame rucks in general. But this gives me a chance to play with the concept (changing out those crappy buckles for QR types. Trying to see if I can make the main bag QD (pretty sure I can). Upgrading those godawful looking straps etc. No waist belt. Not sure if it's even possible to fit such a small bag with one that will be effective, but it might work nicely with webbing, so we'll see. Hopefully updates to follow!

[winter]

I have 3 of these. They are a good old school style pack.

I did a fastex mod.

[panzer0170]

Have you done anything with the straps/frame to make it carry comfier? I haven't had chance to actually load it up and use it (and, mostly, I have other packs I prefer, but I want to get some time in fiddling, practising, and this is a bag that cost pennies and I can fiddle with to my hearts content. Need to work some with a 'quick release' for the bag, and see what I can do for other mods.

[winter]

I bought 3 for $20 years ago and gave them to my kids. Kids left them here when they went to school.

They are pretty durable and comfortable until to get around 30 lbs/15 kilos or more in it. Above that weight, better shoulder straps would probably help.

It's such a simple pack and surprisingly comfy with practically zero padding. I only did the fastex mod.

Why do you want the bag to quick detach from the frame, I'm curious.

[winter]

Okay, I just did another mod to the pack. I removed that ridiculous metal cord lock and replaced the whole thing with 550 cord and a plastic
cord lock.

[panzer0170]

winter QD from the frame so you can have multiple bag options without multiple heavy frames. It's not something I'm likely to use for any serious hiking or for the military as I've got 2-3 other bags that do exactly what I want for those roles. This will likely get used more for tool carrying and short trips that involve me carrying stuff that is easier to ruck in. The way I see it if I can QD the bag itself I can strap stuff underneath it easier, or I can just use the frame solo to strap specific stuff to to carry etc. All I've done is get 3/4" fastex buckles (I still need the repair end, but I've tested the concept and it's solid) and replaced the thinner straps that attach at the bottom of the frame. Unclip, pull bag up and now you've got the frame solo to attach stuff to.

In terms of the cord lock, I actually like that design a lot. Simple, works with thick gloves. It's probably actually the best design feature of the bag IMO

[winter]

It's definitely the heaviest cord lock I've ever seen, and the cordage is weird. Damn Swedes.

Well, now I've got 4 fastex buckles on it.

[panzer0170]

Haha, you've done the mod I was on about, then? It is heavy, and the cordage is weird... But in their defence my bag is stamped 1976 so it's got 13 years on me and it's still going strong...

[winter]

Nah, I replaced all the metal ladder locks with fastex, the two on the top for carrying sleeping bags, and the two in the photo for the lid.

[panzer0170]

I've done the male end of all the above. need to source some repair buckles for the rest. Been pointed at some good US sources but the shipping will cost me more than the bloody bag, so it might end up on hold for a while, unless I can find a UK supplier.

[winter]

I just use 550 cord. I don't trust the slip on repair buckles.

[panzer0170]

I like your thinking, Batman.