TM 10-8400-203-23
18-6. REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE–Continued
c. Replacement of carrier: Due to the low cost of the complete carrier, it is not considered economical to
repair badly torn, worn, or damaged carriers, including replacement of hook-and-pile fasteners, and
elastic webbing. When a carrier has large holes or tears, is severely worn or soiled, has inoperative hook-
and-pile fasteners, or has badly abraded or otherwise damaged elastic webbing, replace the entire
carrier. The carrier need not be replaced for tears or holes less than 1 inch long that can be repaired by
hand darning, and for open seams that can be repaired by top-stitching.
d. Repair of carrier:
(1)
(2)
Small holes or tears. With the ballistic inserts out of the carrier, the hole or tear in the carrier may be
repaired by drawing the edges together and darning by hand.
Open seams and broken stitches. When it is necessary to repair an open seam or broken stitching,
use machines for all servicing except in emergency repair. Top stitch with Aramid (Nomex) thread
conforming to MIL-T-43636, size B, color olive drab S-1, E. A. 66022, size 50 for both needle and
bobbin/looper. Use stitch type 301 of Federal Standard 751 and 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Adjust the
thread tension so that there will be no loose stitching or excessively tight stitching resulting in
puckering of the sewn material. Backstitch thread breaks and ends of stitching by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm)
minimum.
e. Replacement of Ballistic Inserts: If any insert has any hole, tear, or cut in the ballistic cloth or if the insert
has lumps or other damage, replace the insert. The insert need not be replaced for open seams or tears in
the binding which can be repaired by topstitching, or even if the entire binding can be replaced.
f. Repair of Ballistic Inserts: When it is necessary to repair open seams, broken stitching, damaged binding
or to completely replace the binding, use machines for all servicing except in emergency repair, and follow
the instructions in No. 1 and 2 below. Top-stitch with polyester thread conforming to Type 1, Class 1,
Subclass A, size B, color natural of V-T-285 or nylon thread conforming to Type 1, Class A, size B, color
natural of V-T-295. Adjust the thread tension so that there will be no loose stitching or excessively tight
stitching resulting in puckering of the sewn material. Back-stitch thread breaks and ends of stitching by 1/2
inch (1.27 cm) minimum.
(1)
(2)
Open seams or broken stitches: Fold binding
stitches per inch.
Replace binding, partially or completely: To
under as originally folded and top-stitch with 8 to 10
replace a section of damaged binding, cut out the
damaged area or completely remove the old binding and replace it with Atlantic Bias Products Style
“Polyfrost” or equal, 45° bias binding tape, 1 7/8 inch (4.77 cm) wide. Fold the binding as originally
folded and top-stitch with 8 to 10 stitches per inch so that the finished binding covers 1/2 inch (1.27 cm)
and stitching is 3/8 inch (0.925 cm) from the edge of the insert. Overlap ends of the binding tape 1 inch
(2.54 cm) minimum, and turn under the ends of the outside tape 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) minimum.
18-4
