Straps and Belt Clips

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isoaker
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Straps and Belt Clips

Post by isoaker » Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:14 pm

This thread is from the WWn Wiki - originally developed by Ca99 and Andrew
Contents
[hide]

1 Introduction
2 Strap Mounts
2.1 Method 1
2.1.1 Materials Required
2.1.2 Assembly
2.1.3 Advantages
2.1.4 Disadvantages
2.2 Method 2
2.2.1 Materials Required
2.2.2 Assembly
2.2.3 Advantages
2.2.4 Disadvantages
2.3 Method 3
2.3.1 Materials Required
2.3.2 Assembly
2.3.3 Advantages
2.3.4 Disadvantages
2.4 Method 4
2.4.1 Materials Required
2.4.2 Assembly
2.4.3 Advantages
2.4.4 Disadvantages
3 The Strap
3.1 Materials Required
3.2 Assembly
3.2.1 Strap Hooks
4 Belt Clips
4.1 Method 1
4.1.1 Materials Required
4.1.2 Assembly

[edit] Introduction

In any given water war, there will no doubt come a time when someone needs to carry more than one or two blasters at a time. This is where straps and belt clips come in; they are useful improvised accessories that enable you to carry sidearms, bottles, water balloon holding canisters, etc. with ease. Sidearms don't always fit in pockets either, making the belt clip a useful accessory. Some may prefer a holster instead, which takes a lot more work to build, but has its advantages over the belt clip.

The centerpiece of most belt clip and strap solutions is the metal wire. Thin metal wires come with some water blaster packaging and are very useful when reused. They can be twisted together to connect them if they're too short, and they are fairly strong. It is also possible to use cable ties instead, but those are more difficult to undo (a thin flathead screwdriver is needed, which can be used to push the lock of the cable tie upwards and slip it out).

However, if such metal wires are not available, one will have to find another source for them. Search hardware and home improvement stores, or if it's too much trouble, use cable ties.
400px-IMG_3294.JPG
400px-IMG_3294.JPG (47.85 KiB) Viewed 11237 times
Belt Clips and Straps

[edit] Strap Mounts
[edit] Method 1

This method is one of the simplest, yet one of the most effective. It involves attaching the metal wires to the outside of a blaster's casing, reducing the liklihood of irreversible damage or changes to the blaster.
[edit] Materials Required

Metal packaging wire (as much as required)
[edit] Assembly

Most blasters do not have hooks for the new strap to go into, so that's where the thin wires come into place. As depicted, they can be twisted together to create hooks which the straps can link to. If the blaster being used already has hooks, it's a good idea to connect them to a short loop of cable tie, then connecting the cable tie to the metal hook. This slows down deterioration of the stock plastic hooks. If the hooks break, you can, of course, create your own using the thin wire method.
400px-IMG_3298.JPG
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Max-D 6000 Strap Hooks Close-up
[edit] Advantages

Mod is reversible
There is no damage caused to the blaster (aside from possible minor cosmetic damage)
Doesn't require blaster disassembly
Very Durable and secure when good spots for the wire are used.

[edit] Disadvantages

Not as aesthetically pleasing as other methods
Some blasters do not offer good spots for the wire
Generally, all of the wire must be removed before opening the blaster for repairs/maintenance
Can require a lot of wire (depending on blaster)
Wire ends must be adjusted appropriately to minimize the risk of sharp points


[edit] Method 2

This method involves attaching the metal wires to load-bearing internal structures of the blaster (e.g. PC mounts) through existing gaps in the casing. It is especially useful for those whou don't have much packaging wire available and/or those who want a less intrusive strap mount.
[edit] Materials Required

Metal packaging wire (as much as required)

Screwdriver(s) (for blaster disassembly)
[edit] Assembly

Locate suitable mounting point(s) for the strap (e.g. a load bearing screw/component such as a PC mounting peg).
Disassemble the blaster to a point at which you can easily access and work in the selected location(s).
Attach wire(s) to selected mounting point(s), and twist the wire ends together, to secure.
Conceal the twisted ends somewhere inside the body of the blaster.
Re-assemble the blaster.
400px-Colossus_Strap_Mount.JPG
400px-Colossus_Strap_Mount.JPG (34.56 KiB) Viewed 11237 times
Colossus Strap Hook Close-up
400px-Colossus_Strap_Mount_2.JPG
400px-Colossus_Strap_Mount_2.JPG (29.7 KiB) Viewed 11237 times
Colossus Strap Hook Close-up
[edit] Advantages

More aesthetically pleasing than some methods
Mod is reversible
Wires do not need to be removed prior to opening the blaster for repairs/maintenance
Tends to require very little wire (depending on blaster)

[edit] Disadvantages

Does require blaster disassembly
Not possible on all blasters


[edit] Method 3

This method involves drilling holes into the blaster casing, through which you can pass metal wires to attach a strap to. This method allows secure attachment of straps to a blaster which has little or no gaps in its casing or between its external components.

WARNING! This method is IRREVERSIBLE and may PERMANENTLY damage the blaster.
[edit] Materials Required

Metal packaging wire (as much as required)

1x Drill bit

1x Drill
[edit] Assembly

Locate suitable mounting point(s) for the holes to be drilled (e.g. somewhere the casing is pretty thick, and away from any internal piping/PC's [opening the blaster first is advisable]).
Drill two holes (wire entry and exit holes) through the casing (one in each casing half is recommended) at each desired strap mount location.
Pass the wire through the holes in the casing and twist together the ends of the wire to secure.
Hide the twisted end of the wire inside the blaster if possible.

[edit] Advantages

More secure than other methods
Mounting point location is more flexible than other methods

[edit] Disadvantages

Requires making irreversible changes to the blaster
Potential to damage internal components if the wrong location is drilled


[edit] Method 4

This method involves using plastic sheets to create thin yet durable strap mounting points on a blaster. This method is especially useful for attaching a sling mounting point to the neck of a blaster's reservoir and/or to the front of a blaster with a clip-on nozzle cover and for those who haven't got access to packaging wire.
[edit] Materials Required

Metal packaging wire (as much as required)

1x Rigid plastic sheet (anything you can get your hands on [old plastic ringbinder, thicker food packaging, etc.])

1x Scissors/knife (sharp and strong enough to cut through plastic)

1x Drill bit
[edit] Assembly

Cut the plastic sheet it into a rectangle (large enough to fit around the filler neck of the reservoir / behind the nozzle cover).
If you are using a very thin piece of plastic (especially if it's less than 0.5mm in thickness, like the plastic from a food package) make the strip long enough to fold over and double up.
Mark out a hole at one end of the plastic (at the opposite end to the fold if you've doubled it up) large enough to fit over the filler neck of the reservoir / behind the nozzle cover.
Use the drill bit to make a small hole in the centre of the marked circle, to give you somewhere to insert the scissors/knife.
Cut out the circle, but try to leave some material to fit between the threads (if using on reservoir filler neck).
Drill a hole in the opposite end of the plastic (the side closest to the fold if you've doubled it up) large enough for your sling clip.
Cut the corners off the plastic to make it less sharp and to look nice!
400px-Colossus_Strap_Mount_3.JPG
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Colossus Strap Hook Close-up
400px-XP_70_Strap_Mount.JPG
400px-XP_70_Strap_Mount.JPG (34.26 KiB) Viewed 11237 times
XP70 Strap Hook Close-up
[edit] Advantages

Very simple to construct
Doesn't require any packaging wire

[edit] Disadvantages

Not as strong as other methods


[edit] The Strap
[edit] Materials Required

2x Carabiner hooks (rust-resistant metal is advised)

2x 'Ladder clip' strap adjusters (plastic will suffice)

1x Webbing strap (4 to 6 feet)

(All of the above materials can most likely be found at one's local hardware store.)

[edit] Assembly

Put strap adjusters on strap forming loop at each end; use above picture(s) or a stock Super Soaker/Water Warriors strap as reference.
Once adjusters are in place, use a hair dryer to melt the ends so that the strands of fiber "stick" together. This prevents said strands from untangling.
For added security, fold the straps at the end to create "stoppers". If you have an industry-quality heavy-duty stapler, you can use that to keep the strap ends folded. Gorilla glue, epoxy, and/or hot glue also work provided not too much stress is exerted on the "stopper".
Connect the ends to the hooks, then the hooks to the blaster's hooks.

[edit]
Strap Hooks

At least two hooks are needed; one on the blaster and one on the strap. The best hooks are those made of metal and which can be easily removed to undo the strap from the blaster. A good idea is to find a hook with a spring loaded mechanism that makes it easy to remove from the blaster's hook. If the strap does not fit on the hook being used, then a large keyring can help connect the strap to the hook.


[edit] Belt Clips

There are many ways to carry a sidearm. They often fit directly in one's pocket, but it is often better to make a holster for them or to use a belt clip. This section focuses on the belt clip accessory.
[edit] Method 1
[edit] Materials Required

Metal packaging wire or duct tape (as much as required)

1x Coathanger

1x Pliers
[edit] Assembly

Cut the coathanger to an appropriate length and bend it to create the shape as pictured using pliers to do this (this will be the belt clip itself).
Trim and bend coathanger wire as depicted. - Wrap thin wire to coathanger wire twice as pictured; make a knot around each connection with the coathanger wire for added security.
Tighten the knots as best as you can. This is tricky and may result in sore fingers.
Wrap metal wire across blaster and secure it tightly with a twist-up.
Repeat; connect other thin wire to the two points of the coathanger wire in the same manner.

The other method of attaching the coathanger wire involves duct tape. However, duct tape is not as durable and leaves behind a LOT of residue if you need to remove the clip. However, it is useful for non-durable items like water balloon carrying cans/cups and water bottles.
400px-IMG_3296.JPG
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Max-D 3000 Belt Clip Close-up
400px-IMG_3297.JPG
400px-IMG_3297.JPG (27.87 KiB) Viewed 11237 times
Max-D 3000 Belt Clip Close-up
:: Leave NO one dry! :: iSoaker.com .:

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