Riceball
Master Member
I'm using rare earth magnets throughout, so that I don't have to take up space with mechanical connectors. I have been thinking about the backpack, and I don't think I'll get it done in time for CONvergence (July 7-9) I do want to make the complete kit. So yes, I was thinking about making it functional, either to store water like with a camel back and/or as a cooling system. Not sure exactly yet how I would want to accomplish that task.
I agree that there could be a leverage problem if it was holding any weight, so I was already planning on building an H-harness into the breast & back plate to provide additional structural support than just the EVA foam. I already have 1" and 2" nylon web strapping for it when I get to that point. I expect that it would sit much like a normal backpack would and with just a 1-2L it won't get that heavy. I would try to keep the magnets as the primary connection mechanism. I have some decent bar magnets that are about 1" x 1/4" x 1/8" that when using the default 3-4 attachment points (given the lower back one is long I could see putting 2 magnets there) should be able to handle the 2+ kgs of weight of that much water, plus the weight of the pack itself. We'll see how it goes, but that's further down the list.
I like the way you think. I think that when/if I start on my own build of this I'll have to do the same thing and build an H-harness into the cuirass to help support the weight of a loaded pack.