I am thinking about getting one of these personal organizers (toiletry bag) from LL Bean and the 8" arkel hook kit to make a small pannier to hold the everyday things that I carry on my commute. I don't have a trunk and I figure I can do this for about $50.

This is the bag (medium) https://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...793-ppxs&dds=y

Why won't it work? Or, does anyone think I am onto something.

It would work, but the question is why?

For less money you can get a rack trunk with more space and a waterproof cover. The Nashbar Elite rack trunk is currently $25.00, holds more than that medium LL Bean dealie, has a solid mounting system to attach it to a rack, and comes with a hi-vis rain cover.

I have two answers-
1. I really dont like trunks. I prefer the low profile looks and lower weight distribution of a pannier.
2. Have you seen half of the silly things that people do when they could have just bought the off the shelf solution? I'm just trying to fit in

Panniers need a stiff backplate to prevent flapping arround and to secure the mounting rail. Corrugated plastic For Sale signs are the best material.
You can get organiser-style panniers if this is your thing. Pannier material needs to be quite tough, it gets scraped against walls and sprayed with road muck.
The dimensions of that bag may not be best for a pannier. Organisers are generally briefcase/laptop sized.

Without seeing the product upfront, I wouldn't be able to say whether or not it won't work.

I'm an engineer at heart (and training, I'm almost done with my Bachelors in Electrical Engineering), so I'm quite interested to see how this project turnes out.

flyingcadet

As long as you get the tie die Hawaiian bag, I'd say your golden.

lol, seems like you've answered your op. One thing to consider is you'll probably have to stiffen the back so there's no chance it'll get sucked into the spokes. And go for the blue island wave...

I would add that the Arkel bracket might be a bit of overkill for that sort of thing. Like a 4" hitch on a compact pickup. You might be better off with the inverted closet hooks somebody else used, or some other less intense/less $$$ mounting system.

$1.98/ea at Home Depot. I used stainless steel J-hook rope cleats to hang my bucket panniers. They even come with the mounting hardware (although I spent an extra $2.00 on fender washers and nylock nuts to replace the non-locking ones.)

It may be of help if you cut a sheet of stiff plastic or card board to slide in the back of your "pannier".

you're right. How about loops of webbing with "clicky" buckles on them for the top of the rack? Maybe even a single web to the bottom of the rack.

I guess i have some desigining to do.

I get the feeling that the back of this bag is already stiff. I have never seen one in person, I just think it must have to keep some kind of shape for its intended pursose.

Not really, no. They are just nylon fabric.

Dang it! (thats right, I said it)

I may just have to order one and then figure out what I need to do with it.

i have a black bag with a zip on the top. its maybe 4 by 6 inches and it fits everything. i have a tooth brush, toothpaste, mouthwaste, hair gell, IB profen, a spare tube, and front/rear lights for my bike. i just throw this into my mesenger bag or backpack. its perfect for days when i spend 8 hours or more at school or for an all nighter study group. i supose i could put a razor/shaving cream in there too...

I use the Topeak Dynapak for my commute. Just big enough for a few things I need. When you arrive it just unclips and you can take it with you. On weekends it is just big enough for a Nikon D50 with lens and a spare tube.

https://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/DynaPack

Bagaholics should check out Basil
They use QR style mountings on all theuir bags. I think QR fitings are the only way to go no matter how small your bag. They are totally secure and release in an instant so you dont have to faff around for 10 seconds at every stop. If you are zipping around town from shop to shop, this can become a PITA.