How to RAID your jacket?

[warbird]

So, I was wanting to throw my BDU bottom pockets on my arms. I noticed there was a smaller pouch inside that would be perfect for this. So, any tips on where and how to place them, or what kind material to sough with? I'll have to do this by hand. Thanks.

Bring it a Stitch-it shop. Save yourself the grief.

[NovaKaynE]

Originally Posted by warbird

So, I was wanting to throw my BDU bottom pockets on my arms.

The bottom pockets on the jackets are too big. It would look akward if you did that. Your best bet is to go with the breast pockets. When you wear a rig, it covers those pockets anyways. I did my CADPAT's and Woodland BDU's myself. It wasn't easy, but it also wasn't very hard.

Take a measuring tape and measure the height and width of the pockets. Then get a piece of cardboard (preferably a thin piece like an IMP meal box) and measure the measurements of the pocket onto the cardboard and cut it out.

Take that cardboard cutout and stencil the pockets on the sleeve first before you remove the pockets. Best bet is to use a yellow pencil crayon (if you don't have anything better) to stencil it. Use a color that won't stand out if it doesn't wash off, but use a color that will not blend in too much with the pattern so you can't see the lines.

Spread the jacket out on a big desk and place the cardboard cutout on an angle and position on your sleeve to your comfortability. Mark it down and then try to match it up on the other sleeve. Once it's all marked down and you're satisfied that it looks even. Start cutting the pockets off the jacket very carefully. You don't want to cut the pocket or cut through the jacket while extracting it.

If you're putting velcro on the flap of the pocket and the pocket itself, make sure to put the velcro on before you sew the pocket to the sleeve...it's so much easier that way.

You're going to have to use safety pins or sewing pins of some sort to pin the pockets down to allow for easier sewing. I put a quick stitch job on mine the first time around just to get the pockets secured to the sleeve. When I was done that, I went back around a second time sewing it on properly.

There is probably a more 'professional' way of doing it. But this is how I did mine. It took me about 4 days because of work. But if you started it on a Friday night, you could prolly be done by saturday evening sometime if you put a lot of effort into it. Just be prepared for that. Hope it helps.

Originally Posted by MadMorbius

Bring it a Stitch-it shop. Save yourself the grief.

Or you could do that. But doing it yourself makes ya feel better. But if you truly can't do it, go to a custom stitching store and ask them to do it.

[kalnaren]

Are we talking about a RAID 0,1,3, 5, or 6? Although in each case you need a RAID controller and need to install it in the jacket and... oh shit, this topic isn't about cyborg clothing is it?

The waist pockets are only too big if you're a shrimp.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by NovaKaynE

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Start cutting the pockets off the jacket very carefully. You don't want to cut the pocket or cut through the jacket while extracting it.

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Using a seam ripper works better then cutting. It is the right tool for the right job and they are dirt cheap.

[FOX_111]

On both BDU I've done this, I used the bottom pockets. I had to modify them to make them smaller. Also, the angle you put them on is important. Try it with pins before sewing.

Oh and don't forget, don't go monky crazy with the amount of velcro, I ended up punching myself in the face while trying to open my first prototype that had too much velcro on the pocket flap.

Generally, a large band of female velcro and 2 small square of male velcro is enought.

[warbird]

Thanks for all those tips. Unfortunately, my bdu is too small. I'll have to wait till I find a bigger cadpat top. In the meatime, I'll try it on a spare top .

[Beazer]

Basics.
Stitch rip the pockets off the chest and bottom of the jacket.
Decide which pockets you use, real operators tend to use the larger pockets but its all an operators choice.
I used my chest pockets and had them straight on my arms(however you may angle them)
Then you can also sew the other pockets at an angle(easier access if you are wearing body armour!)
I put a 4x4" velcro on both arm pockets and had the buttons removed and velcro replaced. I also put velcro on the top flap.

If you aren't very good at sewing i wouldn't recommend this mod. Its tough to move the fabric and you need a decent machine that can bartack or zigzag some areas.

I could put up pics if it would help.

Also check out specwargear.com for raid modifications. Lots of ideas there but for some you need an industrial machine.

[warbird]

Sure, post those pics up.