Flak Vest from Off the shelf plate carrier Co-Authors: Ru'stor Rawr Bryn Cin'PrudiiEdited by: MMCC Education TeamSpecial thanks to the UMs and OMs of Raqour'daan clan for their pictures
Materials NeededEssentials:
- plate carrier
- sharp scissors
- At least 1 marker
- Pencil
- speedy stitcher or Chicago Screws
- sinew, heavy waxed thread or fishing line
- very long sturdy needle (sharpened steel rod works also)
- nylon straps
- leather
- seam ripper
Read all steps before starting and be sure to test out the vest on your body throughout. Fit to YOUR body is key.
1) Remove all the pockets and velcro (front and Back)
2) Measure the straps over the shoulders - these will serve as templates for the Leather or Nylon replacements. Use the original shoulder straps to cut out a template from the Leather
3) Replace the top straps with nylon or Leather - speedy stitcher or chicago screws can be used to complete this attachment
4) Replace the wrap around straps with 2-3 straps to the sides to make back and front meet. These can be the Nylon or Leather straps (1"). We recommend you put the buckle attached to the rear panels such that any excess strap can hang to the rear of the vest.
5) Once the straps are attached you can put the buckles in place to get the length corrected. Ensure the vest can be snugged down to your torso.
6) When attaching the armor; if you iron on velcro the inner padding of the vest will flatten. Additionally you can sew on the velcro or use chicago screws through the vest.
7) If you notice that the vest in the front is poofing out near the armpits or just slightly below, we recommend to sew in a dart.
DONE!
Notes:
You can also use the extra material you removed for the shoulders in lieu of the leather, for the straps you can use nylon as well
Vest will work with Post Imperial, Modern and Legacy, but due to the geometry of the plate carrier, it's not practical to try and make this work with Galaxies.
Photo credit - Hippowrangler and Machinimax
