J-Rock

What's wrong with your current firebolt? I've always liked the spectres but they don't have the forward drive on windy days or at least that's what I found on a Spectre 135 (120 jumps). They do have great consistsnt openings and hold their value. Don't have any experience with the pulse or storms. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

This is my current sound proof room that I turned into my sewing room or as my friends refer to it "the sweat shop". Now all I need is a bartacker and a good 7 class... just need to sneak it past the wife... did i mention the room was sound proof? Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

There are usually plenty of MC-4 mains on ebay for decent prices.... Few with lines removed you could get cheap. Do you have a local surplus shop? I find T-10's, and MC-1C's all the time for $30 lines removed. I even found a brand new in the bag MC-4 for $98 at my local surplus shop..... of course I asked for more and they didnt have any as they had no clue what it was. Ive also found plenty of stuff on craigslist. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Yes the Raven 3 "should" fit but the PIA volume chart should only be used as a rough estimate because it never seems to be consistant. Have you tried calling the manufacturer? They would know best as they built the rig and would probably know what would safely fit. The PD reserve seem to pack a little bigger than the Ravens, but you also need to take line bulk into account, theres a big difference between dacron and spectra. And just because it will fit in the container doesnt mean it will be safe. Im not familiar with the teardrop but I know with any exposed pop top type of rig you want a somewhat "looser" pack job so the reserve PC seats well with the container formed around it. If the rig was made in 1991 and says it will fit a 220, I would look at canopys that were made and being used in 1991 as a reference, Raven 2 with dacron lines, Fury 220,Swift Plus 225, all are in the 450-500 cube range. If the chart is correct I wouldnt see why the PDR218 wouldnt fit, especially with microlines . Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Congrats on getting your A. There are a lot of opinions on what to do when buying a first rig. You are doing the right thing by looking for used gear and if you are patient you should be able to find a rig for a good price, especially if you buy it bit by bit. I've found it rare to find a complete rig that fits you and has canopies in it that will be what you want. Start with a good reserve, and then a container and AAD if you want one. There are a lot of good reserves out there due to people downsizing and if it comes with a packing data card, you should know a little bit more about it than a main. The main should be the last thing you buy because if you have the rig you will be able to demo a main before you buy it if that's an option. I have been able to piece together rigs for $800-1200 without too much effort. Be patient and use the down time during the winter to find gear, it will pay off in the long run. Buying gear in other country's on the other hand can be tricky cause the shipping can be expensive so the inspect and send back process might not work as easily. I've never had any issues wit buying gear off this site so if someone is willing to send you lots of detailed pictures, info and maybe a reference from a DZO it might be worth it to take a chance. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Thanks for the advise, I may demo a few suits to see what I like. I just didn't want to get into a suit that is too much for me at first. Just looking for an intermediate suit that is easy to fly, I think I might go to Start and try a suit or two and start from there. On paper I think the Phantom or T-bird would be the suit or are these suits even comparable? Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

I have read a few articles and posts on the forums about wingsuits but Im having a hard time finding which suit to look for. I have 126 ws jumps and 630 jumps total, 5 jumps on a BM Classic, most on a BM Skyflyer 1 and a few on a Skyflyer 3, GTI etc. I took a 6 year break from flying a wingsuit and a 2 year break from skydiving all together. I want to start flying a wingsuit again and it seems as though things have changed since ive been gone.... theres a lot more to choose from and I dont want to get a suit I will be bored with in 5 jumps. I started jumping this year after a 2 year break and have made 60 jumps this year. Can anyone out there list a few models to look at and maybe some reasons as to why. Thanks in advance Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Cool, that answers my question, thank you! Anyone out there have a MT-1X manual in PDF? Seems as though mine is incomplete..... Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

I got this deployment bag with an MT-1Xs/SL container and I am guessing it can also be used with a static line. My concern is that fact there are no grommets for the closing stows, only loops. I havent seen this before and was wondering if it was a safe system to jump or if I should just look for a standard bag with grommets for FF jumping as apposed to static line. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Perfect! Thank you! Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

I'm looking for a packing manual for a GQ Safetychute 850. If anyone has one in PDF form that would be great. I realize this PEP is not airworthy, I'm a collector and this is going to be for practice/static display. I'm missing parts and I can only find small bits of info for this rig. It is the British military version with capewells but otherwise the same as an 850 released to the civilian market. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Rob, from your description that is exactly what I have. The freebag has no holes or grommets in the freebag. The first flap or "kicker flap" also has a shock cord loop that goes through the next flap which has three gommets... Ill look at the manual on Phree's site and see if its similar. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

This is a standard Northern Lite, I think its the very first model and has a 6 flap reserve system where the PC is packed between the first two flaps so the closing loops do not go through the free bag like they do on the Northern Lite III. Im assuming the manual would be from Paraphernalia not Northern Lite. Thanks for the leads though. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

I just acquired a Northern Lite container DOM 10/85 made by Paraphenalia. Does anyone out there have a manual or know where I can find one? Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Thanks for the suggestions guys, Ive been looking around and it seems like some of those canopies would work, the canopies in my MC-4 are fairly new and when I pack it in cold air you literally have to stand on the container to get it closed. Having said that Im sure something smaller or even ZP with Dacron lines should work, maybe something like a navigator you mentioned. Now... anyone out there have a 370 reserve? I have a brand new line set and a master rigger nearby. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Maybe that should have been the question... Anyone know the pack volume of a 370? I would think you could put just about any large 7 cell in the main container but I'm sure the reserve is a different question. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

I have one complete MC4 and another with all the parts and pieces, just no canopies... Are there any alternatives i can use instead of the the 370's? OR has anyone packed something different in an MC4 and how well did it work. I do have a line set and have though of relining a canopy with cut lines, only problem is finding one that hasnt been drug across a parking lot. Thanks in advance, J-Rock Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Here is a pic of the free bag, just says MT1X Reserve on the topside and has that assembly number and contract number on the back side Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Ill get pics posted tonight when I get out of work tonight. The main bag was made in 87' and the reserve freebag was made in 89', both are in great condition and NO, I dont have the PC for the freebag so im gonna have to find one of those, along with rip cords and a set of main risers. After that I think Ill be set, so long as these D-bags will work. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

I have two MC4 370's, Main Dbag Assembly # 811417-1 and reserve free bag Assembly #811768-0 Both made by Para-Flite..... Oh and no I meant using a freebag and main D-Bag from a MT1X for an MC4 Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Can I use an MT1X freebag in a MC4 rig? I have an MC4 with a lot of MT1X parts. Besides the ripcords not being compatible can you mix and match freebags and main d-bags? Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Sweet website Gary, I had thought about making a smaller, scaled down version and then attach it to a load and static line it out of the plane. My DZO has done a lot of testing over the years so Im sure he will help me through the process or even do a low pass to chuck it out of the plane. Thanks for the help! Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

http://www.seattlefabrics.com/sale.html#Supplex Its on sale now for $3.95 a yard....pretty cheap Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Has anyone out there ever made there own round canopy at home? If so was it a success or failure? I found a couple of posts where people had built their own squares from kits or for BASE jumping but I cant find anything for rounds. I have always had a fascination with round canopies and thought it might be a fun learning experience to build one myself. I own 4 rounds and a 3 canopy tertiary rig so I might do some round cutaways this summer since I have never jumped one before. I know it will be a huge undertaking and will require a lot sewing but I like to sew and am wanting some kind of project for this next winter when Im bored to tears. I was just thinking of building a 24' tri-vent conical, maybe use one of my rounds as an example as I go along. Im also guessing a block constructed canopy is easier to put together then a bias constructed canopy? If anyone out there has any personal knowledge or experience Id like to here your opinion and Im sure Ill have plenty of people asking why and I guess I really dont have an answer, just looking to build something and learn a lot in the process. Im gonna need a bigger hammer....

Try Seattle Fabrics, just google it because I dont know the exact address, they sell supplex and many other types of fabrics found in jumpsuits, ive bought from them before with no problem Im gonna need a bigger hammer....