Old 07-26-2012, 03:23 PM
  #6  
greywuuf
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: middle of nowhere Alaska
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I am not saying that a standard machine Wont do it, but, we are talking several 4-6 layers of 1000 denier Coated cordura, and maybe as many as three layers of tubular nylon webbing. All seems of course are taped ( bound) as well. the reason for the walking foot is that Large stack ups like that tend to "squirm" and it gets Very hard to not have the seams shift when you are talking that amount of sheer THICKNESS. in addition the presser foot lift on many home machines is not even high enough to get the material stack under.... Tactical Gear is Very different than quilting or clothing. For starters the thread is going to play havoc with you, most people sewing cordura in any extent with a home machine end up double wrapping at least one of the pegs in the tension assembly just to get by. Some of the more complex pieces use materials like Kydex ( thick plastic sheets) and the neoprene padding inside of the shoulder straps and waist belt is very "grippy" and can really heat up and grab a needle.

In short... Give it a try with what you have... realizing that bigger machines do it better ;-) you may have to get creative when it comes to some area's.... find alternate ways to make a seam or join so that there are not as many layers... stuff like that. I make tactical and outdoor gear on my home machines.... and I am seriously ready to have this Big Consew industrial up and running.

I hope this is ok to link to here, but this site has simple instructions and a forum frequented by home shop professionals. they WILL have the answer ( some of them are grump old military men so be warned ;-)

http://diytactical.com/blog/

Good luck and let us know how it comes out!
Dan
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