Backpack Cargo Net From Inner Tubes

This instructable is official sequel for my BICYCLE BAGGAGE NET FROM OLD INNER TUBE inspired by Idea63's INNERTUBE LOOP CREATIONS. Now I'm implementing the same inner tube loops weaving technique to make a cargo net for my old backpack. You can attach a lot of stuff to it fo carrying in multiple ways, and it looks generally badass.

But first, let me introduce you my backpack. As you can see I've already layed my crafty hands on it at some point (I was quiet younger person than). It even had an acoustic system integrated in it. It used a CD-player... for playing CDs, and couple of scooter batteries for powering PC speakers amplifier. It weighted 3 kilo empty. I'm bad at electronics...

But... wait a minute... what is it? Why my bag is so swollen? What's in it?? Oh no! He's infested with bicycle inner tubes!! How terrible and digusting!!!

But also cool, because inner tubes are exactly what we're going to use for making our cargo net.

I have to mention that at some point this bag have had some sort of cargo net that he was born with. It was a few stratchy straps, connected together in a way, presumeably, aimed for holding a bicycle helmet. It was useless.

Depending on the size of the net you're aiming for you'll need from one to, maybe, four inner tubes. It took one tube for making mine net and another one for bungee cord (on that later).

Since I have a whole bunch o tubes, jenerously donated to me by local bicycle workshop, first thing I'm doing is sorting them. As you can see, they come in a variety of sizes and I'm interested in having atleast few (at this point I didn't know how much I'm going to need) for work of similar width.

I'm also sorting out nicer unpatched tubes for other projects, like making belts, for example. Heavily patched tubes are good for chopping into rings (nice sections).

For weaving we'll need some loops. You can cut them with scissors, or, as I did in Step 1 of my BICYCLE BAGGAGE NET FROM OLD INNER TUBE with a box cutter.

But If you're planning on working with inner tubes a bit more substentialy, I would recomment to invest your time in making a tube chopper. You can get more familiar with it in my TUBE CHOPPER 3000!!! instructable.

Cut the valve off and start chopping. The width of the loop you're aiming for is ~!/4 of the width of inner tube. 10-12mm should be fine in most cases.

When you have enough loops chopped, wash them with soap. Rince a few times and dry with a towel.

And with that being done we're approaching the weaving part.

For this cargo net I'm using different than on bicycle cargo net weaving pattern. Let's call it hexagonal. And firstly we have to learn on how to make a basic module. It consists of three loops and I tryed my best to represent the sequence of connecting them together.

When you have your basic module done, you can add 2 more loops to grow it into couple.

I'm using needlenose pliers when weaving. You can do it without them, but they speed up the process cosiderably.

Once again, I hope, photos represent the process clearly enough.

Don't ask for making a video on weaving this. I have pretty shaky hands, and while it comes quiet handy (heeeyy... a pun) in my personal relationships, sometimes (I'm sorry if your children are reading this), it doesn't make for a good tutorial video.

Keep growing up with new loops till you'll get hexagonal... spoke sun. Notice that adding the finishing loop and closing the hexagon seamingly differs from previous routine (but onlu seamingly)

Now you can keep growing hexagons in a row, ubtill they get to necessary width.

Implementing all the same technique expand now your net to required lenght.

U're not limited to simple "rectangular" shape, but this is what fits to my bag.

When your net is finished. it's time to make a framing cord.

You can use a bungee cord, paracord or any suitable piece of rope for this, but I'm going to show one more trick with inner tubes.

So, take an inner tube and cut a section long enough to cover all perimeter of your net plus some extra.

I was talking about this in my DECORATIVE STRAPS FROM INNER TUBES tutorial. Also there I've shown another variation of strap from what I'm going to show here. It's nice, decorative and can be used in costume making, so take a time to take a look if it's your stuff.

Punch a series of holes along the tube lenght in a line. Diameter of the hole should be roughly 1/3 of the width of the tube, and spacing is about 4cm. Leave some hole-free area on both ends.

Secure then one end of the tube with holes facing up-down.

Pinch the free end in your fingers and pull it through the first nearest hole from top. Pull it all the way through.

Now take the same end andpull it through the next hole, but this time from the opposite side of the tube.

Keep going in alternating pattern through the rest of the holes.

You'll find that newly created cord doesn't look particulary even and need, but we'll deal with it in next step.

Doublecheck that your cord is sufficiantly long for your net, and if everything is ok, go straight to straightening it.

To do so step on one end of the cord, pull the free end to stretch, and release. Smack it against the floor few times, than do the same with other end. This, pretty much, will self align all the folds in your cord.

For this one I used an inner tube of small diametre, you can compare the result with similar cord made out of regular (as I call that size) inner tube.

Now, finaly we can return to out bag. As you can see, I have to do some repair work first to cover those holes on front. The controls fro the acoustic system were sticking out from there.

You may came up with different solution for attaching cargo net to the bag.

I thought of next creteria:

- Being waterproof. Any elements added to the bag and the way they're added shouldn't compromise it's waterresistance;

- Being independant from the net. You should be able to replace the net with a new one, if neaded, without undoing the elements of attachment.

For this reason I don't recomment to sew or rivet the net dirrectly to the body of the bag. The net is much less durable than the backpack, so, you should be able to change it or remove for reparing without demaging the bag.

I decided that the most reasonable solution for me would be to install a series of nylon strap loops into the body of the backpack.

I've cut the strap into 8 sections (according to the spacing at the edge of the net). Melt the ends to prevent fraying.

With help of the hotglue gun I've fixed loops in closed position.

Apply just a smear of glue, since you'll have to sew through it later.

I'm planning to sew the loops into existing seam on the bag. With soft pencil I'm marking the positioning of the loops and undoing the sections of existing seam at marked section.

I'm securing the loops within created openings with a bit of hot glue.

Now I'm preparing my sewing machine. You can also sew down the loops by hand.

I'm turning my backpack insideout to get the access to the seam, and sewwing trough all the loops.

To install the net I'm partially threading the cord through the free loops on the net. Then I'm going through the first loop on th bag and then through the loops on the neet till the next loop on the bag. You get the idea.

To secure ends of the cord, when all free loops are threaded, im stuffing one end of the tube inside another and securing everything with zip ties. It's holds hood enough and not that terrible looking.

Later I decidec to add one more loop at the bottom, as well as other furniture.

But don't think that at this point we're finnished with this project. No any bicycle inner tube cargo net can be complete without obligatory bicycle inner tube key fob!

It's not that hard to figure out how to make one, but if I'll get to the finale of the Backpack Challange I'll make an instructable on it.