Smoke and Mirrors EDC (Set Building and Grip work) - Pic Heavy

[Metropolicity]

I don't know where to put this, on one hand, I made the power panel sheath, but it's also an EDC type post, so Mod Squad, Carry Method, EDC? Whatever, it's on the forum now.

Every year, for the past 5-6 years I've been involved in throwing one of Winnipeg's (my home town) biggest parties/fundraisers. Raising a ton of money for the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG). Eons ago, when I befriended my buddies, they decided to become engineers, I chose a different path, art and design. Anyways, one of those engineers became a web designer and that engineer scored the position of decore committee chair for said fundraiser. Little did the WAG know he was connected to a network of super talented, super energetic and super connected creatives. So began the yearly pilgrimage to Winnipeg to design, build and throw one of the most epic parties of the year, I also photograph the event.

This year: http://artandsoul.wag.ca/

Having done a lot of set work, build work and design stuffs, I know what to carry on me. Needing to build almost anything during the short week, I have to be prepared. These are all worn on a 2" police duty style belt (very thick, and stiff). This year I decided to nip it in the bud and develop a hard working system that will function year after year. 

I present the Smoke and Mirrors EDC:

1. Custom SS Barrage
2. Custom SS Bisector
3. The Mighty Sharpie (2x...well X however many I lose)
4. Olfa 18mm utility knife (2x, one always walks away)
5. Ultrafire A3 R5 SS flashlight
6. Custom DIY Tape-Keeper (based on Maxped's Keyper)   
7. Custom DIY Power Panel Sheath to hold most it
8. Modded Terminator knife sheath

I learned how to make sheaths with instruction from DIYtactical.com, it's a modified triple pistol mag pouch design. The material is a 1000D PU coated ballistic nylon. All the seams were double stitch and in places of high tension, bar tacked.

The Power-Panel





You'll notice the belt loops are spaced out oddly. The 1" belt loop is to keep the flexible panel tight to the belt to avoid catching on things. The thicker loop's spacing is a factor of the construction of the panel but also, when threaded onto the belt, the position can be locked at my 3 o-clock via belt loop. . You can see that here.



The knife sheath'ss modification was simple, just cutting off the vertical molle straps on the back. The modded knife sheath, worn horizontally and on my left side 9 o'clock:







The Tape-Keeper is made from a Grimlock sewn with 1" nylon strap and velcro, so I can having duct and masking tape on me.





The Hardware:



How they fit in the Power Panel:





Over all I am very happy with how these came out as a set, esp when it was literally my second pouch I've ever made out of ballistic nylon. Since the belt loop connections are tight, the panel doesn't move at all and when loaded up, doesn't feel like their is much there.

Time to go build and destroy worlds.

[Gareth]

Very impressive Metro.

[5hif7y]

luv your work man it looks great. nice pics to.

i like the tape holder, i would have lots of use for one of those at work. might have to try and make one. 

[Metropolicity]

luv your work man it looks great. nice pics to.

i like the tape holder, i would have lots of use for one of those at work. might have to try and make one. 

Yah, I made it more complicated but a carabiner and some paracord will do. I made one side a hangman knot to stay put, the other one is just an overhand knot so it can be slipped off and on.

[nuphoria]

I really love your ideas in general, and we also keep having similar ones... idiots seldom differ they say

I used the grimlock in the same way but to hang small pouches from it like a Maxped light sheath etc. Hate having things close up my belt, but then I'm not a thin chap like you

[Metropolicity]

I really love your ideas in general, and we also keep having similar ones... idiots seldom differ they say

I used the grimlock in the same way but to hang small pouches from it like a Maxped light sheath etc. Hate having things close up my belt, but then I'm not a thin chap like you

I much prefer great minds

[nuphoria]

Me too, but I don't like to brag

[David]

Metro your quite talented. Reckon that`s some good gear!      

[Metropolicity]

I may or may not swap out the tools for my modded MUT and a pair of Fiskar Shopboss, which Tatoosteeve was awesome enough to pick up for me. They aren't sold anywhere else but Stateside.

[tattoosteve99]

I may or may not swap out the tools for my modded MUT and a pair of Fiskar Shopboss, which Tatoosteeve was awesome enough to pick up for me. They aren't sold anywhere else but Stateside.

[OddFuture]

That's some great work you have there!

Is that a Surge with ST 300 pliers? If so how hard was it to make that mod?

[J-sews]

Very slick set-up Eric. I like how you decide precisely what you want in an item - be it a multitool or a tool belt - and then you set about customizing things until you get exactly that.

[Metropolicity]

That's some great work you have there!

Is that a Surge with ST 300 pliers? If so how hard was it to make that mod?

Here's the build thread:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,31736.msg525756.html#msg525756

It wasn't hard, but it's non-reversible and definitely a commitment.

Very slick set-up Eric. I like how you decide precisely what you want in an item - be it a multitool or a tool belt - and then you set about customizing things until you get exactly that.

haha...I actually once sat down and tried to figure out the connection between customization, design and mass production. Truly successful design is the democratization of a customized product; when it is available to the masses and more than one person can enjoy it's utility.

I guess as a designer, there is responsibility to find fault in everything and attempt to either make a solution or develop a problem and THEN find a solution. I often find myself finding things that are ALMOST to my liking and making revisions, even then, I am limited to my skills and resources.

There is something to be said about dedicated tools and tooling, making compromises is what we do and make it work. Isn't that what MTO is all about