This method is intended for the chest and shoulders. For the knee armor, I used Velcro sewn to the knee area on the flightsuit and attached to the backside of the knee armor. This in combination with the elastic straps keeps them on securely.
That makes sense, thank you!
Man, what a fantastic job you did! My 5m and pins and clutches just showed up today! I'm stoked! Hey did you put some pins on the neck collar as well? Also what method did you use to connect the collar to the back armor, do you have a page on how you fastened them together? Again, what a killer job!Hey Team,
I have been looking into different ways to attach the armor to the flak vest. My goal was to find an easier way to attach the armor while still being able to make small adjustments and fine tune the placement while keeping the flak vest in tact. This is my solution for Easy, Cheap, Fast and Effective placement and attachment of armor.
Things you will need:
-Cardboard or Disposable Surface
-Bead Landing pins with clutch back (Jewelry Pins) -Note- you can find these at pretty much any fabric store. Michael's has 10 for $2.99
-Clutch Backs (I found these fairly cheap on ebay)
-5M Quik-Cure or JB Weld
-Sand Paper
-Cheap brush or something to mix and apply the glue to the armor
-Sharpie
-Beer
View attachment 63442
-Armor
-Flak Vest
View attachment 63443
With the sharpie, mark out the areas you wish to apply the glue and metal tack from the jewelry pin.
View attachment 63444
Sand these areas to create a tacky surface for the glue to bond to. Then clean the sanded areas with a wet towel and dry it off.
View attachment 63445
Also sand the bottom of the tack from the jewelry pin to create a tacky surface for the glue to bond to.
View attachment 63446
Mix the 5m Quik-Cure with a disposable brush and apply to the areas designated for the tack of the jewelry pin.
Set the tack on the glue that has been applied to the designated areas.
Only mix enough glue to do 2-3 tacks at a time and keep in place for 5 minutes. This stuff cures really quickly but the tack will slide around if you don't keep it in place for a minute.
View attachment 63447
Let the glue dry for at least an hour before securing armor to the vest.
Place the armor in the desired placement and push the pin through the flak vest.
View attachment 66703
Secure the pin with the improved locking clutch backs to the jewelry pins.
IMPORTANT: You need to purchase locking clutch backsinstead of the standard backs for the jewelry pins. The standard pins are apoor design and will pop off even with the slightest rubbing of materialagainst the backs.
There are two types that I have tried with success. Thelocking clutch backs, as pictured below, and the locking pin backs with set screws. You can purchase these on Ebay, they are readily available and are fairly inexpensive. Follow the links below.
Clutch Backs
Locking Pin Backs
View attachment 66709
View attachment 66710
View attachment 66708
View attachment 66704
For the shoulders, placement is pretty important. If you install your pins too high on the shoulders, or too close to the edge, when you mount the armor in the correct location of the flak vest, the armor will stick out like wings. It's going to be a little different for everyone depending on the armor used and the size of the flak vest. For my gear I ended up going about 2" - 2 1/2" from the top edge of the shoulder bell and just above the hem of the flak vest sleeve. I only used two pins because you don't want these to be super stiff but instead you want them to be able to move freely when raising and moving your arms.
View attachment 66705
This shows that they can lay down against your shoulder if installed properly.
View attachment 66706
Wear, observe, reference and make adjustments where needed. That's the great thing about this method. If you don't like the placement...just adjust it and punch a new hole with the jewelry pin. No big deal.
I do recommend once you've decided and are happy with the placement to mark on the back side of the vest where the pins are. I just used a sharpie to mark the holes. This will allow you to remove the armor when needed and repeat the placement process with ease.
View attachment 66707
View attachment 66711
I've been able to troop using this method for a good 15 hours of troop time now and not one of the clutch backs have been able to come off. None have bent or broken either. If you have any ideas on how to improve this method please chime in and advise. Cheers!
-Cameron-
View attachment 63442
View attachment 63443
View attachment 63444
View attachment 63445
View attachment 63446
View attachment 63447
View attachment 66703
View attachment 66704
View attachment 66705
View attachment 66706
View attachment 66707
View attachment 66708
View attachment 66709
View attachment 66710
View attachment 66711
Haha. I'm a jackwagon. I missed the picture. Sorry. Again, your suit looks incredible!Hey Team,
I have been looking into different ways to attach the armor to the flak vest. My goal was to find an easier way to attach the armor while still being able to make small adjustments and fine tune the placement while keeping the flak vest in tact. This is my solution for Easy, Cheap, Fast and Effective placement and attachment of armor.
Things you will need:
-Cardboard or Disposable Surface
-Bead Landing pins with clutch back (Jewelry Pins) -Note- you can find these at pretty much any fabric store. Michael's has 10 for $2.99
-Clutch Backs (I found these fairly cheap on ebay)
-5M Quik-Cure or JB Weld
-Sand Paper
-Cheap brush or something to mix and apply the glue to the armor
-Sharpie
-Beer
View attachment 63442
-Armor
-Flak Vest
View attachment 63443
With the sharpie, mark out the areas you wish to apply the glue and metal tack from the jewelry pin.
View attachment 63444
Sand these areas to create a tacky surface for the glue to bond to. Then clean the sanded areas with a wet towel and dry it off.
View attachment 63445
Also sand the bottom of the tack from the jewelry pin to create a tacky surface for the glue to bond to.
View attachment 63446
Mix the 5m Quik-Cure with a disposable brush and apply to the areas designated for the tack of the jewelry pin.
Set the tack on the glue that has been applied to the designated areas.
Only mix enough glue to do 2-3 tacks at a time and keep in place for 5 minutes. This stuff cures really quickly but the tack will slide around if you don't keep it in place for a minute.
View attachment 63447
Let the glue dry for at least an hour before securing armor to the vest.
Place the armor in the desired placement and push the pin through the flak vest.
View attachment 66703
Secure the pin with the improved locking clutch backs to the jewelry pins.
IMPORTANT: You need to purchase locking clutch backsinstead of the standard backs for the jewelry pins. The standard pins are apoor design and will pop off even with the slightest rubbing of materialagainst the backs.
There are two types that I have tried with success. Thelocking clutch backs, as pictured below, and the locking pin backs with set screws. You can purchase these on Ebay, they are readily available and are fairly inexpensive. Follow the links below.
Clutch Backs
Locking Pin Backs
View attachment 66709
View attachment 66710
View attachment 66708
View attachment 66704
For the shoulders, placement is pretty important. If you install your pins too high on the shoulders, or too close to the edge, when you mount the armor in the correct location of the flak vest, the armor will stick out like wings. It's going to be a little different for everyone depending on the armor used and the size of the flak vest. For my gear I ended up going about 2" - 2 1/2" from the top edge of the shoulder bell and just above the hem of the flak vest sleeve. I only used two pins because you don't want these to be super stiff but instead you want them to be able to move freely when raising and moving your arms.
View attachment 66705
This shows that they can lay down against your shoulder if installed properly.
View attachment 66706
Wear, observe, reference and make adjustments where needed. That's the great thing about this method. If you don't like the placement...just adjust it and punch a new hole with the jewelry pin. No big deal.
I do recommend once you've decided and are happy with the placement to mark on the back side of the vest where the pins are. I just used a sharpie to mark the holes. This will allow you to remove the armor when needed and repeat the placement process with ease.
View attachment 66707
View attachment 66711
I've been able to troop using this method for a good 15 hours of troop time now and not one of the clutch backs have been able to come off. None have bent or broken either. If you have any ideas on how to improve this method please chime in and advise. Cheers!
-Cameron-
View attachment 63442
View attachment 63443
View attachment 63444
View attachment 63445
View attachment 63446
View attachment 63447
View attachment 66703
View attachment 66704
View attachment 66705
View attachment 66706
View attachment 66707
View attachment 66708
View attachment 66709
View attachment 66710
View attachment 66711
i ended up switching from the clutch backs to the same type of locking pin backs you pictured here. i haven't had any problems since.
I agree, but I'm truly shocked you aren't a steadfast proponent of the accurate plastic studs and grommets!
I’m so scared to do it honestly . I did it once. Maybe I should revisit it one day lol
My willingness to be crazy about accuracy ends where things start to be totally unseen (and also where it involves putting giant holes in an expensive vest). I used pins for my Jango stuff too because I was too chicken to makes holes for snaps on the leather!
