Fake/Training plates for plate carriers

[Huron]

Originally Posted by FOX_111

Filled mine with plaster.

I posted a "How to" with pictures here.

Unless shelling money for trainning plate, my mod is the best I've seen to date.

You are still stuck with the original dimentions, wich are based on the old SAPI and not the new ESAPI that most recent PC use.

+1. Easy to tailor the weight to what you want, too. The Team Wendy ones are a little on the light side at 5lbs each, but a good option for the size.

[Zack The Ripper]

Originally Posted by Zack The Ripper

I own a TMC JPC with TMC hollow plastic fake "medium" ESAPI plates; being 10x13" they are not, to my knowledge, true medium sized plates. They are slightly taller and thicker than the real deal. This said, they barely fit in my APC and when put-on and strapped-up it is much too tight, and the first bend I make deflates/crushes the hollow plates.

They simply don't work in my APC.

I did see your tutorial FOX_111, very nice work. Wish I could get mine to fit correctly or that would have been my first step.

Stealth, shh. The Warrior Trail training plates are of the same quality and after shipping is just under $200. Maybe I'll bite, eventually.. would prefer not to right meow though.

[MultipleParadox]

Originally Posted by Zack The Ripper

Stealth, shh. The Warrior Trail training plates are of the same quality and after shipping is just under $200. Maybe I'll bite, eventually.. would prefer not to right meow though.

Didn't he mention the Team Wendy? Not the Warrior Trails

That said,when I checked, warrior trails weren't shipping in Canada.
or... Was it the other way around? Can't remember now :P

[Gato]

I have Point Blanks.

Try contacting Hero Army Surplus to see if they have any training plates in your size.

[Zack The Ripper]

Originally Posted by MultipleParadox

Didn't he mention the Team Wendy? Not the Warrior Trails

That said,when I checked, warrior trails weren't shipping in Canada.
or... Was it the other way around? Can't remember now :P

He did, but in my first post I mentioned both as i had looked at both. I was also mentioning them again
as they are less expensive than the Team Wendy ones. I checked with Warrior Trail myself and the person who emailed me said they ship to Canadian customers without issue, supposedly.

Originally Posted by Gato

I have Point Blanks.

Try contacting Hero Army Surplus to see if they have any training plates in your size.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[MultipleParadox]

Originally Posted by Zack The Ripper

He did, but in my first post I mentioned both as i had looked at both. I was also mentioning them again
as they are less expensive than the Team Wendy ones. I checked with Warrior Trail myself and the person who emailed me said they ship to Canadian customers without issue, supposedly.

My bad, I overlooked that apparently

That said, I looked at HeroOutdoor PointBlank's plates (thanks for the tip btw, I'm surprised to see a Can Retailer carrying these!), and it'd go at around 240$ for a pair. At that price might as well go for the Warrior Trail ones that are supposed to replicate the RS SAPI "perfectly". Shipped it'd cost me just under 200$ (however, plus eventual importation taxes and what not I suppose)

According to HeroOutdoor's site, the PointBlanks are 10x12", just above half a pound in weight, while the real Medium Sapi plates should be 9 1/2" x 12 1/2" (at about 4lbs each)
Because of the apparent size discrepancy I'm not even sure they'd fit in my PC...

[Zack The Ripper]

Yeah, the WT version in small seems to be best for most PCs, unfortunately. I guess I'll save and buy some like a manly man.

[Black Patch]

Zack

SAPI plate sizes...

Extra Small - 184 x 292 mm (7¼ x 11½ in)
Small - 222 x 298 mm (8¾ x 11¾ in)
Medium - 241 x 318 mm (9½ x 12½ in)
Large - 260 x 337 mm (10⅛ x 13¼ in)
Extra Large 280 x 356 mm (11 x 14 in)

I take it you are after Stiffness, not a considerable weight gain?

If so, get the fake hollow plates that will fit your PC, fill them with an expanding foam from Rona or Home depot. You must apply a little pressure to the front and rear of the plate so you keep the pre curve.
This will most likely give you the required stiffness.

If you are after weight as well then sand in the plate works. You must however tape the top hole for obvious reasons.

Third option is to use a fabrication shop and go for 11 Gauge 44W metal plates rolled and pressed as per your existing fake plates. On the rear of the plate put foam backing on with Velcro. Around the edges use car door edging seals. These will then fir perfectly into the Plate Pocket.
To have these plates made you should be looking at about $35 to $45 from the fabrication shop.
Michaels will have everything else you need to do the job.
I have the drawings for the plates - your angles from sides to top cutaway is 57 Degrees.
The fabricated plates will run at 5.4 lbs all up per plate.

I know all this because I built some in exactly the same manner..
Good luck.

Pete.

[MultipleParadox]

Hmm having them made out of metal like that does sound interesting, didn't think of this

I guess it's time to call a friend!

You wouldn't have accurate schematics by any chances?

[Black Patch]

Originally Posted by MultipleParadox

Hmm having them made out of metal like that does sound interesting, didn't think of this

I guess it's time to call a friend!

You wouldn't have accurate schematics by any chances?

For whatever reason the site will not allow me to post it up but here we go...
Draw a rectangle, then cut off the top corners as per the below:

THESE ARE 44W PLATES - They WILL NOT stop live rounds! You need AR500 to do that!!

Front / Rear Plate Dimensions: (Large SAPI)
13.25" Total Height. Before Forming.
10.125" Total Width. Before Forming.
The cut off angle is 57 degrees from the sides to the top. Work this out on your drawing and you are good to go.

Roll the plates to R16 (32" Diameter) if you have a 44" Chest.

Without a Die for the clavicle indent, pressing will not be possible.

At the roll radius you do not really notice it sticking in your face. If you want to go to the expense of making a die it is easily with small piece of pipe welded to a base then filled with sand.

If you want the side plates, then roll to R10 ( 20" Diameter), the same material thickness:
Width 7"
Height 6.75"

If this answers the questions then cool if not I will take a pic of the pic and post up!

Pete

[MultipleParadox]

Hey Pete, many thanks this looks great info
I'll have to talk with my friend who work in a metal shop first, as this doesn't really help *me* but I'm sure it'll be invaluable info for him, assuming he accept to take the job

Thanks

[Curo]

Originally Posted by Gato

I have Point Blanks.

Try contacting Hero Army Surplus to see if they have any training plates in your size.

+1 I run these as well and I believe Graham does too.

[Gato]

Originally Posted by Curo

+1 I run these as well and I believe Graham does too.

I believe he does.

At one point I had one in the wrong size, as did he, so we swapped.

[panzergrenadier]

DS Tactical will have the Team Wendy plates at some point this month.

[MultipleParadox]

Originally Posted by panzergrenadier

DS Tactical will have the Team Wendy plates at some point this month.

Source?
Any mention of a price range?