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Posted: 3/4/2008 5:01:25 AM EDT
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(Please forgive the low picture quality, I only had my camera phone at the time.) I wanted to create some kind of a cover for my polish underfolder that would keep the metal stock from freezing or burning my face when it's either cold or sunny outside. The only recommendation that anyone seems to have is to wrap it with para-cord, but that could keep the stock from folding properly. I don't like the look of para-cord. I think it's cool, but it's cool in kind of a rambo way, not really in a tacticool way, which is how the rest of my rifle is setup. So I decided I would come up with my own, more modern idea. I decided that I wanted an insulating neoprene wrap because of the heat and cold resistant qualities and the thin material. I also think that neoprene looks more modern and tacticool than para-cord. The trick was finding the right color neoprene and the right size piece for the right price. After searching the Internet and brainstorming, I discovered the Insulated Tube Cover w/Microban® for Backhawk Hydrastorm hydration systems.  The tube cover was perfect. I cut the thread that was holding it together and flattened it out, finding that it was just the right width to add a zipper, so that it could be attached and removed from the stock. I purchased 2 7" separating zippers in black from JoAnn's Fabrics, along with a spool of OD green thread, and headed over to my sister's house, because she has a nice sewing machine, and the skills to use it.  I used a triple stitch for durrability, and ended up with a final product of this:   As you can see, I left a little room at the end of the zipper so that I can use some double sided, thin velcro and wrap the end of the zipper. The zipper doesn't rattle as-is, but I think it's tacky to have it loose. I'll take care of that later. Anyway, I like the end result a lot, and it is a very comfortable stock now. It feels very nice on my cheek, and I think it looks pretty cool. You're entitled to your own opinion of it, but I'm pretty happy with it.  Hope this helps to spark some ideas for the rest of you. |
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Hi expvideo, Not sure if I should start with negatives or positives or questions. Eh, might as well just ramble through my thoughts. I own a Polish UF and it is my favourite out of my AKs. I have kept it pretty much true to its original form. When I hear "tacticool" I always think of it as a negative, someone that has gone WAY overboard and made their AK look like an AR/Tapcoed abortion. I DON'T have a problem with folks that want to modernize and make a "scary black assault rifle" however. Its a different path than I have gone but I don't rule it out on say my WASR-10. I have never tried paracord on my sidefolder only because I cannot FIND it locally and really didn't want to order a mile of it from CTD. You HAVE done something that I respect mightily. Take a problem or desire and find an innovative means to solve it. Kudos for that. I am not familiar with how neophene feels but apparently it has insulating properties. As to your final result I'd say, not bloody bad at all. I certianly looks modern and like it could have been designed for that use. My criticism of you final product is first it looks like the zippers you chose were too large. Looks like they could have been smaller. Not sure is you did it for strength or what. Also the zipper looks a bit crooked on one of the sleeves. I agree you should have something to lock down the zipper. In my experience, in a variety of uses, that double sided velcro tape just does not hold up for crap. I think I would make a tie down that ran perpendicular to the zipper tab. Sew a strap that could cover the zipper entirely, made out of whatever works, even more neophrene if you want in the following way. Think of it as a bandaid if it make my explanation any clearer. Sew one end of the bandaid to the sleeve. On the other end underside SEW a patch of velcro "hooks". Pull it across the zipper tightly to determine where you need to sew the velcro "fuzz" to the other side ot the sleeve. Sew the "fuzz" patch on. IMO should look pretty professional(as I said you could hide the zipper tab entirely). So you wind up with your design more or less with a final strap that hold down the zipper tab at least and maybe hides it. How much did the neophrene cost? Over I'd say you are on the a great design for a modern looking, non paracord alternnative, to the heat/cold problem with metal stocks! Wonder if it would work with a sidefolding stock like a Romanian? Anyway my biggest beef it the zipper looking too big and not straight and my being ignorant of nephrene and its feel, durability, and functionality. But they you solved a problem by dint of your own resolve and probably will inspire others. I give it a solid A- with maybe just a bit of tweaking to get it to an A+.(Oh I would have chosen black but that is a style choice) Well done Sir! Cheers, RWB64 (Sounded like you wanted reviews. This was written with good intentions and are only MY opinions. And of course you know what they say about opinions  )
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Absolutely, I know that it has room for improvement but it is also my first attempt at creating my own gear. So The reason for the one side being out of shape is that the design is basically for a zippered neoprene tube. The right hand side of the stock, as you may notice on your underfolder, is not even throughout. The part where the cover dips is also the part where the stock dips, so that it can pass over the selector lever. However on very close inspection, one could easily tell that this is not a professional job. The stitching is pretty much straight, but it has it's minor flaws. As to what neoprene is, I guess I should have elaborated from the beginning. Neoprene is actually a trademarked name for the material, and I shouldn't be reffering to it. It's kind of like calling a PKMKS an AKMS. Sure they're the same thing, but they do have different names. Or I suppose it's more like calling any kind of duct tape "duck tape" because one particular brand calls it that. Anyway, before I ramble, Neoprene is essentially a thin scuba-suit material. It is basically foam rubber covered by a soft and comfortable nylon on both sides. It insulates, cushions and feels comfortable, which gives it some clear advantages over paracord in my opinion. As for the zipper, I know that it doesn't look perfect. I left it a little long intentionally because I wanted to be able to wrap something like velcro around that part to keep the zipper from moving. I didn't run out of material. In fact, there was enough material to do this same project twice on one Blackhawk tube cover! For $8.99 that's not a bad deal. I do appreciate the constructive criticism, and if I choose to make another one of these in the future (which I may), your suggestions will come in very handy. |
This was in the OP:
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It doesn't really slip around. In retrospect, I would have liked to have stitched it tighter, but it's ok as it is. I could always put some grip tape underneath and that would keep it from slipping around, but I haven't really had any issues with it so far. It's just nice and comfy 
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I thought about that, but I just don't have the time and patience to manufacture anything. I'd rather just get the idea out there and let anyone use it that wants to take the time. The overall cost of this project was about $20 for me, and I like saving money, so I preffer to just share and pass the savings on to anyone that likes the idea. I'm still holding on to my simulated full auto device idea, though. Someday I'll have the money to develop it and make a bunch of money off of all of you. 
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