Harness webbing question

[cb5150]

I've noticed that some folks have made their own harness from 2" webbing purchased on-line from places like dive gear express and/or strapworks.

The grommet hole...just buy a grommet kit at Home Depot or what?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[rhwestfall]

do you need it? It serves no purpose in either of my BP set-ups.....

Edit:

(and my wings are attached to the plate with sex bolts). The grommet never lines up, so I don't use it. The webbing is either above or below that hole in the plate and the respective one on the wing (can't remember which way it sits). Plates are DSS brand, and the way the webbing sits for the shoulder slots, there is no need.

 

[dbulmer]

cb150,
You can buy a grommet kit from a boat chandler but you can just as easily do without the grommet provided you burn a hole in the webbing.

 

[fbk]

grommet not required at all... just melt a hole with a hot screwdriver or soldering iron.

 

[g1138]

I just cut a hole out with my knife and burned it clean.
If you want to be more refined and neat, you could get a punch.

If the webbing is stiff (ie. anything but strapworks) you can burn/harden the hole clean so it doesn't tear. No grommet needed. It's possible with strapworks, but you need a real strong flame to quickly melt and harden the webbing. Otherwise it just burns, shrinks, and curls (in my experience). Something like a butane torch or a gas stove.
For other webbings, I've been fine with a disposable lighter.

The hole's only needed if you're using hardware to mount your wing and STA to the backplate. If you're using no STA and camstraps, you could let your wing stay disconnected from the backplate. It'll all be sandwiched and secure when you put your tank on.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Brass grommets are available at most hardware stores. I have a supply for other reasons, but don't see why a hole would not work.
Heat and cut with some tubing or small diameter pipe for a clean hole. Cutting with a knife and burning is functional, but not as neat and clean.

 

[cb5150]

Thanks all!

 

[Keith.M]

I used a punch and then put the hole over a candle flame.

 

[macado]

I just use a soldering iron to burn a hole in the webbing where I need it.

 

[fjpatrum]

Mine looks very much like KeithM's... only "floppier" webbing and it's white instead of black. No grommet required, though.