HWT Backpack build Part 1

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Heavy Weapons Troopers,

 

The following is a tutorial on how to build an approved Heavy Weapons Trooper backpack for around $140 US. I wanted to provide nice illustration pictures and giving file size constraints I will have to break this up into a couple few parts.

 

PART 1

 

Part 2: http://www.whitearmo...k-build-part-2/

Part 3: http://www.whitearmo...d-part-3-final/

 

 

Items needed:

 

Any armor builder:

 

TK shoulder strap cover or similar, $8+

 

Amazon.com:

 

Oil Drain (22"x 15"x 4") or similar $17, Amazon > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FSYZ764/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NAVAyb6BKM6QB

Plastic Container kit $23, Amazon > http://www.amazon.com/NEW----Stackit-Plastic-Container/dp/B00IOSF14A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423410792&sr=8-1&keywords=NEW%21+--+Stackit%21+-+By+Popit%21+%286+Plastic+Container+Set+%2F+Food+Saver+Set%29

 

Hardware store or other:

 

2' x 2" PVC $4, Lowe's

2" PVC Caps (x2), $3, Lowe's

15"x19" No Parking sign (thick plastic) $6

15"x19" For Sale sign (thin plastic), $5

3-1/2" x 8-1/2" wipes container, $3

#8 x .375" Philips head screws, (x16-20), $2

Bumpers, $3, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M8I6YLH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

12oz Valspar Silver Fox spray paint (looks like Slate Blue), or flat light grey should work as well. $5

12oz Rust-Oleum Flat Light Gray Primer spray paint, $4

12oz Rust-Oleum Black Matte spray paint, $6

Rivets 1/6"x1/8" (x8) & Rivet Gun, $20

 

Hobby or craft store:

 

E6000 clear or white, $4

Art paper, heavy (1/16" thick), black 12"x12", $4

Photo storage box or similar 7-1/2" x 11" x 4-1/4", $4

1-1/2" W x 1-1/2"L Velcro (hook and loop), or similar

8' x 1" black nylon webbing

1" black adjustable buckle 

 

Automotive store or other:

Antenna option discontinued. If you're following this build thread DO NOT install an antenna as seen the following illustrations. 

 

Other items:

 

4" x 4" tapered drinking cup $2

1" soda bottle cap 

2-1/4" juice dispenser caps x2 

 

Tools Needed:

 

Drill

Hacksaw or similar

Sander with heavy and fine sandpaper, or just sandpaper

Scotch-Brite pad

Rivet gun

Steel ruler

Pencil

Sharpie

Small and Large Exacto knives

Cut resistant, leather and latex gloves

Safety glasses

Philips screw driver

 

I think I have everything, so let's begin. Next are a couple pics of my recently completed and approved HWT backpack

 

 

1) Antenna Tube:

 

CRL Image 

 

1a) Modify Face plate: In this section we'll take and modify a TK shoulder cover.

 

Before 

 

1b) Using a heat gun or hot water heat up material until it is pliable. Once pliable place a flat heavy object on material until cooled and flat, 30-60 seconds.

 

After

 

1c) Cut out a 7 rib section. Reheat new section. Once pliable, using a towel and gloves place on the 2" PVC to shape it.

 

 

Once completed it should look like this. Reheat if necessary. Place off to the side for later installation.

 

 

1d) Install and cut end caps: Mark PCV pipe and caps 1" from edges.

 

 

1e) Install caps on pipe up to marked areas. If the caps are firmly attached proceed to 1f. If not,remove, glue, let dry and then proceed.

 

 

1f) Cut of outer edge of caps where marked and sand down rough edges. 

 

 

1g) Glue face plate: Glue 2" away from either edge. Wrap with rubber bands or tape and let glue dry. Once dried, tape off face plate and end caps. Lightly scuff up pipe with Scotch-Brite pad, wipe down with cloth and spray paint Matte black. Let dry then remove tape. It should look similar to this when finished.

 

 

2) Radio

 

CRL Image

 

2a) Remove photo storage box lid and outside metal ID label holder. (no photo) 

2b) Cut and remove lid edge. This will be used for the back of the radio (no photo)

2c) Mark and cut main box side edge to 2-1/2" in depth. 

 

 

2d) Glue the the lid section to the main box, let dry then sand edges.

 

 

2e) Radio Face assembly

 

Before gluing and paint

 

 

2f) Place 1 screw in each corner. (shown)

2g) Using 1/16" heavy, black art paper, cut upper face (square) section is 5" x 7" x 5/8" wide

 

 

2h) The lower, outer sections are 1/2" wide (shown)

2i) The lower inner sections are 5/8" wide (shown) 

2j) Once all edges have been cut out, glue to box (without knobs). I suggest using a book or something flat with weight and wider than the box to evenly hold all pieces until dry.

2k) Once glue is dry, glue on knobs as shown.

2l) Once dry, using Scotch-Brite scuff up all radio surfaces. Primer spray paint all sides of radio, let dry. Scuff again then spray paint with Matte Black, let dry. Once finished your radio should look similar to this.

 

 

3) Upper Round Tube (wipes container)

 

CRL Image

 

3a) Remove contents and outer label from container. Remove lid. Using Scotch-Brite scuff up all areas. Wipe down with towel. Primer spray paint and let dry.

 

 

3b) Scuff up primer and wipe with towel. Main body spray paint using Valspar Silver Fox. Let dry

 

 

3c) Once dry, mask off body leaving 6-1/2" x 1-1/2" exposed.

 

 

 

3d) Place 4 screws in a piece of cardboard and scuff up (not shown)

3e) Using Matte black spray paint body, lid and the 4 screws (not shown)

3f) Install screws in each corner of the black body section. When finished the tube assembly should look similar to this.

 

 

 

End of Part 1

 

Part 2: http://www.whitearmo...k-build-part-2/

Part 3: http://www.whitearmo...d-part-3-final/

Edited February 8, 2017 by ukswrath

[Templar726[TK]]

Great stuff! Thanks for posting this.

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

 

these screen grabs show thickness! some interesting details along the sides.

 

and the pouches look leather mp40 with no canvas detailing like on a sandy.

Edited February 9, 2015 by TK Bondservnt 2392

[Daetrin[Admin]]

Wow - talk about definitive. Bets open on how long before this gets stickied!

 

Well done.

[Locitus[Admin]]

Necessity is the mother of all inventions.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. I agree Vern. Like with the TD I think the HWT backpack may be under refinement for some time. It really depends on the accuracy of the screenshots and those with the decision making authority to determine what will be considered CRL.

 

At this time I want to give a big shout out to Quartermaster for blazing this new accuracy trail we're on. Thank you sir 

Edited February 9, 2015 by ukswrath

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

GOOD HEAVENS!  I haven't even received my armor yet, (2 more days), and now I have something else that I cannot help but building!  I am almost finished with my made from scratch grappling hook, (yes, I am going for stunt, but it is SOOO cool, I just gotta own one).   Thank you, Tony!

[ukswrath[Staff]]

GOOD HEAVENS!  I haven't even received my armor yet, (2 more days), and now I have something else that I cannot help but building!  I am almost finished with my made from scratch grappling hook, (yes, I am going for stunt, but it is SOOO cool, I just gotta own one).   Thank you, Tony!

 

 

haha Awesome!

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

On the edge of my seat here, Tony!  Episode II coming up shortly? 

[Manutex[TK]]

Hehe, Joseph...

 

Episode II here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30036-heavy-weapons-backpack-build-part-2/

 

And final episode III here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30038-heavy-weapons-backpack-build-part-3-final/

 

Enjoy

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Hehe, Joseph...

 

Episode II here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30036-heavy-weapons-backpack-build-part-2/

 

And final episode III here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30038-heavy-weapons-backpack-build-part-3-final/

 

Enjoy

 

 

Good call Manuel, I've updated this all 3 posts.

Edited February 10, 2015 by ukswrath

[ukswrath[Staff]]

yep

[allan1313[TK]]

You give the dimension of the large box, I know you used Tupperware for the other 3 boxes but could you give the dimensions on those? Thanks

[ukswrath[Staff]]

You give the dimension of the large box, I know you used Tupperware for the other 3 boxes but could you give the dimensions on those? Thanks

 

From page 1

 

a) From Popit! storage set

Button Panel - Xe 041 container 6.6" x 4.75",

Vent Panel - Xe 051 container 8" x 5.6"

Right Panel - Xe 061 container 9.1" x 6.6"

[allan1313[TK]]

From page 1

a) From Popit! storage set

Button Panel - Xe 041 container 6.6" x 4.75",

Vent Panel - Xe 051 container 8" x 5.6"

Right Panel - Xe 061 container 9.1" x 6.6"

Thanks Tony!

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[ukswrath[Staff]]

My pleasure, BTW whatever you decide to use does not need to be exact. 

[allan1313[TK]]

I know...just want to keep it around the same scale for the different sizes.

 

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[fuumantroop[TK]]

Id say keep it within a half inch or so and its good to go

[TK Goatee[TK]]

I assume the size of the small boxes depend on the size of the main back pack (oil drain), to be in scale. I'm scaling of my main back pack and it has different dimensions, then ukswrath's.

I'm still looking for the perfect boxes ;-)

Edited April 18, 2016 by TK-71715

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Well there's only two different main sections being used, both are roughly the same diameter in side, yet differ in thickness.

[TK Goatee[TK]]

I'm using this one -> http://www.ebay.de/itm/Olauffangkanister-Olwechselkanister-Kanister-Olwechsel-Ol-Altol-Werkstatt-Auto-/200913524097?hash=item2ec7611581:g:1lMAAMXQGcNSEheF

 

It has the following dimensions -> 50x30x12 cm

It's a little smaller but thicker than yours.

[RlNZLER[TK]]

Kind of silly to ask but I am in the process of assembling the pieces and cant find anyone selling the TK shoulder covers. Is there anyone here that has some scrap left over? Thanks 

[ukswrath[Staff]]

It doest have to be made out of the shoulder covers, just similar. Also Terrell with ATA does, you can find his contact info in the "Armor and where to buy them" section.

 

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[Gaby Bigo[TK]]

I'm interested in replacing the photo storage box. This box is made of cardboard and it seems to me that they are not resistant like something plastic. Do you have any suggestions?<br><br>

Thx

[magni[TK]]

I built mine from sheet styrene that I picked up at the local hobby shop. It's held up great with all the bang's and bump's we take.