Touring - Homemade panniers

Do any of your guys use your own panneirs. I'm a tinkerer and I love makeing my own stuff. I was thinking of a couple of 8 gallon rubbermaid containers with Arkles Hook System. Does this sound viable?

I currently use a duffel bag bungied to the rack rather than panniers but your idea is very feasable and I have considered making some myself.Here are two links you may be interested in for ideas.Sounds like one issue with the rubbermaid containers on a standard bike might be heel clearance .
http://members.rogers.com/bphuntley/BikeBucket.html
http://www.humboldt1.com/~mhp/rubbermaid.htm

I prefer to use regulation panniers, but I have to say, I've always admired the ingenuity that went iinto these:

http://www.cobbworks.com/

With the Arkel System you can set the moutns so that the panneirs sit at an angle. Plus you can move them far back onto the rack.
For example: \ \

Check it out. U.S. Plastics sells a 4 and 5 gallon airtight waterproof square bucket like those Oyster buckets @ Cobbleworks. I'll order some and once I get'm hooked up I let you guys know how they work out.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=20328&product%5Fid=197

What up,

I sewed 2 sets of panniers out of hemp canvas using a sewing awl. So far they work great. I saved money and I learned a whole hell of a lot about sewing bags (tuition was paid with sweat and bleeding fingers). Personally, I prefer the idea of soft panniers for touring: they tend to weigh less than buckets, they are easy to repair, and they can be cinched down for smaller loads. Whatever you decide to use, though, I highly recommend building your own.

Ghetto-rigging is a lifestyle, just make sure your tetanus shots are up to date.

BK

I bought a book about making your own outdoor gear. The book was writtne by a lady that was big into moutaineering. The backpack she makes are just as good if not better than the comercial versions selling for hundreds. I forget the name of the book. I post it we I get home.

Anyway here is a great website for making outdoor gear. Check out some of the backpack and homemade tents. It's really cool.

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

Loads of info for making your own panniers at Ken Kifer's (we miss ya!) site, here:
http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/touring/bags.htm

I've been thinking about taking a gig-bag for an acoustic guitar, sticking a sheet of heavy plastic in the shape of a guitar in the 'body' portion of the bag, and putting some pannier hooks in it so I'll have an easy way to carry an acoustic guitar around.

I'm a music major. A gig bag for a trumpet might be good. However, gig bags like Reunion Blue are quite expensive to be use for panniers.

I was thinking of a couple of 8 gallon rubbermaid containers with Arkles Hook System.

I just got the buckets from usplastics.com in today. Dude, these things are hugh!!! These are square 5 gallon buckets.

Here they are. I finally finished the Buckets of Doom. Check out my homemade panniers on my blog:

http://biketour.blogspot.com/

Wow, thanks for the Arkel link. As someone who makes all my own equipment, I am in debt to you. This opens a whole lot of possibilities. Nice job on your buckets-o-boom.
Scott

i kinda made my own panniers. that is to say that i went to this army navy store in philly and found this old set of waterproof bags (look like they might have actually been some kind of saddle bags as they had no handles or straps) and riveted plastic backing into them. then i found a set of wierd backpack straps with these metal clips on them which fit onto my rack nicely. i just did a tour across mexico in the rainy season and i think that they held up very well. i can provide photos if anyone wants
-eian

Cool. I was thinking of building a second set of panniers using ALICE type Army bags. Were did you get the plastic backing? Do you have any pictures?

I plan to make my own next year.

A steel rod frame to make up the outline, looking from the side, and then screw-on rods straight out to keep the bags themselves extended laterally.

I'll make the bags from thick nylon weave, and they will be large, not to say huge.

CdCf, here is a good book to buy regarding sewing outdoor equipment:

http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=5

Here is a great site for build your own outdoor gear. They've got great designs for back packs and such. Using them for panniers would be great!
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html




Ghetto-rigging is a lifestyle Amen, brother. You should see the ghetto-rigged/homebuilt water cooled computer I've built.