Bushwalk Australia

I am having trouble with my Google-Fu
I have managed to find an aluminium rucksack frame so I don't need to make the PVC tubing one at this stage. But while the frame is OK [ except for a small corrosion hole which I should be able to patch using UltraBond rods] the mesh back panel needs replacing.
Anybody here know where I can purchase a very small piece of truckers mesh without having to buy it from America and pay $40 - postage?
I could use HD shadecloth I guess but that has a lot of stretch in it.
Experience with both Kelty and CampTrails external frames tells me that the mesh is both stronger and more comfortable than several sets of 50mm seat belt webbing

Would "Spacer Mesh be a viable alternative?
Is that available here in Oz? I know somebody was looking for some a while back.

Quick search brought up a couple of pages of mesh here...
https://www.voodoorabbit.com.au/bag-pur ... h.html?p=1

Stretchy mesh here...
https://www.makeyourowngear.com.au/prod ... etch-mesh/

2 or 3 choices in...
https://www.spotlightstores.com/sewing- ... ?q=&page=2

Thanx but I don't think I can tension any of those for a back band in an E-frame rucksack. They need to be drum tight, so tight they sing when plucked. Cecile makes bags and she has bag mesh and it isn't suitable unfortunately or I''d raid her stash, ditto for Spotlight and Lyncraft
It will be like the mesh Z-Packs use on their carbon fibre framed packs I am guessing.

Thinking outside the square...perhaps too heavy for your needs.

https://excelnonwovens.com.au/trampolin ... line-mesh/

https://www.topline-trampolines.com.au/ ... the-metre/

Very interesting that stuff.
In the meantime I've ordered some scrap of 3-D spacer mesh from RockyWood in the USA because they will send it letter rate for $3-

The spacer mesh has arrived and it has far too much stretch to use as a back-band in an external framed rucksack, so it looks like shade cloth is my cheap option.
Unfortunately that $3-US post was US continental and it actually cost me $11-AUD so not cheap in the end

Could you just sew a layer of spacer mesh over some webbing to give you the qualities you need ?

I got curious so pulled my late dad's canvas / aluminum pack out to see what materials were used, leather for the waist belt and some light 50mm cotton webbing for the bands across the frame. Looks just like: https://lincraft.com.au/products/cot-we ... 3100054659

I'm not sure if it's the best choice, but it's cheap and available at least, should breathe a bit better than synthetic webbing too, just not as sturdy. I wonder if this pack predates synthetics entirely ?

Synthetic webbing is really uncomfortable compared to mesh so the old cotton stuff might have been better but my memories of carrying my old Camp Trails pack shirtless in summer was of good airflow and a cool back. The trampoline back panel was an extra cost purchase
What I could do is sew the 3-D spacer mesh to the non stretch shade cloth; I don't think I'd notice the extra 10 grams but the shadecloth would really rub bare skin; although perhaps I'd not go shirtless in summer these days

Dan at wilderness threadworks might be able to help you out. I don't think he's making packs anymore but he might have some Bullet Mesh? hanging around. It has very little stretch.

If you have a look at a few images of his Ossa pack on the web you'll be able to see the stuff I mean.

Do you have a contact? His website is still up but in archive mode it seems

I don't, maybe through Instagram?

Could this be of any use.
Looks comfortable.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/13333449156 ... media=COPY

That's probably got too much stretch in it Macca.
I'll get it sorted eventually.
At the moment I'm working on a new bedhead for the new bed tho, house and renovations taking precedence once more.
Cutting the pair of these down, then they get joined together and lime washed

Did you end up solving this? I'm not 100% sure I know what you mean by truckers mesh, but if you mean the kinds of rigid PVC meshes that get used to cover truck / ute loads, I might have a couple options for you.

In the short term I'm going to go with shadecloth topped with the soft 3-D mesh.
Yes it was the coated mesh I was thinking of, I just couldn't find any small pieces.
All projects are on hold while I try again to possum proof our roof space