colbymck wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:58 pm
That looks nice! What’s the approximate cost of the finished product compared to buying Fischer’s EZ skins? Or is the motivation just more of DIY spirit? Please keep us posted with the final product!
The cost is whatever the Skin material costs. If you want 100% Mohair you can have it. If you want a longer skin, you can. Full width...no problem. Money savings is a possibility, but if you found EZ Skins on sale I doubt you could beat that price. I have the industrial sewing machine and the Biothane on hand, so I don't have to source those.
I can purchase full width, 100% Mohair skin, in the same length as Fischer provides, for under $50. Some more durable blends with the latest and greatest adhesives and technology run about 25% more.
Right now I am thinking of going with the Mohair. Other options are more durable and climb better, but I am old and slow, and unlikely to attempt any really steep skinning expeditions. I am also no going to be out on a daily basis, so at most I will probably put 10-20 days on the skins per year.
I make stuff for a living (and I used to design equipment in my past life as a Mechanical Engineer/Machinery Designer), so it comes second nature to make what I can with the resources I have. It really only takes a few minutes to put them together, so I figured why not.
Not the best picture, but this a pack I built a few years ago. I made everything except the Belt. Based on a Kifaru pack, which would have cost north of $600.
