Doobiesnax Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Ok so i figured I might as well through up a thread on my modding experiment on my Reactor 4000 pads. This was my first dive into modding pads, but with a little info from @Kayen i've found the experience to be super fun and almost addicting. So I snagged a set of Bauer Reactor 4000's in great shape off of GGSU for $150 cdn + shipping about 2 months ago, bought a speedy stitcher sewing awl, and started tinkering. To date here is what I've done: - De-Badged them by removing the Bauer logo from the knee roll and the reactor logo from the outer roll (Id did the same to my retro flex gloves) - Replaced toe laces with prolaces - Removed the knee cradle (I re-purposed it as a temp knee block cushion until my new monster blocks come in (i know, i know) - Removed the 2 lower leather calf straps - Removed the thigh guard attachments - Removed the knee block nylon strap (left the top thigh rise one so i can carry the pads) - Added 2" K straps to the bottom and top calf wraps. I made a tab with jenpro and velcro that combines these two straps and the knee block elastic strap together like a smart strap that all attach as one to the calf wrap. - Added a elastic "professor strap" at the top of my calf just under my knee that attaches directly to the leg channel lacing. The pads rotate and feel great now so all in all its been a very fullfilling first crack at pad modding. Original Pads: Current Pads: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coopaloop1234 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Good job there sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPv6Freely Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 What's the strap above the knee for?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coopaloop1234 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Just now, IPv6Freely said: What's the strap above the knee for?? Carrying his pads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doobiesnax Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 1 minute ago, coopaloop1234 said: Carrying his pads. I have a small trunk in my car, thus need a small bag, so i need to carry my pads old school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaveByRichter35 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I do the same. I asked Vaughn to make my thigh straps removable. I carry the pads via the straps and remove them for game play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPv6Freely Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Gotcha... was seriously wondering if anyone was still using thigh straps in 2018.. lol. I use a leather strap through the thigh rise cord for hooking my pads onto my bag. I wouldn't carry them that way because it's too much strain on the cords, but for hanging its fine since they're held up by the front strap anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostender Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Doobiesnax said: - De-Badged them by removing the Bauer logo from the knee roll and the reactor logo from the outer roll (Id did the same to my retro flex How did you do that? Belt sander ? (JK) Chemical or abrasive process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doobiesnax Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Just now, Ghostender said: How did you do that? Belt sander ? (JK) Chemical or abrasive process? Acetone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostender Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Ahh - thx - may use this in the future if I can find a desirable set of used pads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doobiesnax Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Just now, Ghostender said: Ahh - thx - may use this in the future if I can find a desirable set of used pads key is to lighlty rub the logos to slowly work them off (small circles and clean rags worked for me). When the logo is gone, wipe down the area with a rag and water, then apply some sort of leather seal to the area. Stealth mode achieved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostender Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Perfect - thanks again! And yes, love the stealth mode - much cleaner look (and hides the fact I am too poor to afford something even close to the latest and greatest!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPv6Freely Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Ghostender said: Perfect - thanks again! And yes, love the stealth mode - much cleaner look (and hides the fact I am too poor to afford something even close to the latest and greatest!) Makes them look like they're custom or something, IMO. Much better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Great stuff there, @Doobiesnax! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doobiesnax Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Thanks gents, its really this site that gave me the courage to attempt any mods... I always assumed you needed to go to a repair shop or shoe repair spot to modify your gear. When I saw you jabronys whipping up all sorts of black magic i figured what the heck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 13 minutes ago, Doobiesnax said: Thanks gents, its really this site that gave me the courage to attempt any mods... I always assumed you needed to go to a repair shop or shoe repair spot to modify your gear. When I saw you jabronys whipping up all sorts of black magic i figured what the heck ! If a hack like me can shorten thigh rises and boot scoops, ANYONE can do it!!! You did a great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmw0097 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 If you use a boot strap why dont you just cut off the top and use the boot to carry your pads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayen Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 On 03/01/2018 at 10:01 AM, IPv6Freely said: Gotcha... was seriously wondering if anyone was still using thigh straps in 2018.. lol. I use a leather strap through the thigh rise cord for hooking my pads onto my bag. I wouldn't carry them that way because it's too much strain on the cords, but for hanging its fine since they're held up by the front strap anyway. I actually was using them on my Reactors still before I sold them. Narrow butterfly and it helped alot. Definitely killed rotation though. I use a bungee hook to carry my pads now (Ritual G3) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadAngle41 Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Great work @Doobiesnax. I'm old school when it comes to carrying my pads as well even though I have a bad that is likely large enough. I just buckle a boot strap to the other pad and carry them upside down. My Dad's thought was if I couldn't carry it into the rink I shouldn't be wearing it. Damn kids and their bags on wheels nowadays. My only suggestion would be to remove the knee lock elastic and either make or have made a set that have a hook and a loop side so you can simply sandwich them between the pieces of the knee stack. Fantastic work though. I've wanted to open up my current set and shave and inch or so off the top, but I just can't bring myself to actually do it. Seeing how much work you've done and how well it turned out will only be salt in the wound when I have to pay someone to do the shaving in the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 34 minutes ago, BadAngle41 said: Great work @Doobiesnax. I'm old school when it comes to carrying my pads as well even though I have a bad that is likely large enough. I just buckle a boot strap to the other pad and carry them upside down. My Dad's thought was if I couldn't carry it into the rink I shouldn't be wearing it. Damn kids and their bags on wheels nowadays. My only suggestion would be to remove the knee lock elastic and either make or have made a set that have a hook and a loop side so you can simply sandwich them between the pieces of the knee stack. Fantastic work though. I've wanted to open up my current set and shave and inch or so off the top, but I just can't bring myself to actually do it. Seeing how much work you've done and how well it turned out will only be salt in the wound when I have to pay someone to do the shaving in the spring. It really is not that hard to shave an inch from the top. You remove the thigh trims, open the pad, measure twice, cut foam with a box cutter, leave 1/2” more jenpro than what you removed foam-wise, sew it up, then re-sew your thigh trim. It’s actually pretty easy. You need a sharp upholstery needle (Factory Mad will sell you one or PAW) and sail thread (same people). Dennis led me through when I did pad surgery. Sara may, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doobiesnax Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 53 minutes ago, BadAngle41 said: Great work @Doobiesnax. I'm old school when it comes to carrying my pads as well even though I have a bad that is likely large enough. I just buckle a boot strap to the other pad and carry them upside down. My Dad's thought was if I couldn't carry it into the rink I shouldn't be wearing it. Damn kids and their bags on wheels nowadays. My only suggestion would be to remove the knee lock elastic and either make or have made a set that have a hook and a loop side so you can simply sandwich them between the pieces of the knee stack. Fantastic work though. I've wanted to open up my current set and shave and inch or so off the top, but I just can't bring myself to actually do it. Seeing how much work you've done and how well it turned out will only be salt in the wound when I have to pay someone to do the shaving in the spring. Thanks man! The knee lock scenario will be updated once I get my new knee blocks, I'm going to make my own internal piece to attach the elastic to that sits between the new block and the internal stack piece. I also checked last nght and it turns out that the top strap also serves a purpose besides carrying. Like @kaygen, I find it helps close up my old narrow ass five hole a bit when im in the butterfly as it tugs the outsides of the thighrises in to the middle to square up the tops of my pads when i go down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xdave90x Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 Wow great job on these pads man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insertnamehere Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 Looks fantastic! Did you try them out much before all the mods to get a baseline feel for them and just how much differently do they play after? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadAngle41 Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 On 1/5/2018 at 9:30 AM, bunnyman666 said: It really is not that hard to shave an inch from the top. You remove the thigh trims, open the pad, measure twice, cut foam with a box cutter, leave 1/2” more jenpro than what you removed foam-wise, sew it up, then re-sew your thigh trim. It’s actually pretty easy. You need a sharp upholstery needle (Factory Mad will sell you one or PAW) and sail thread (same people). Dennis led me through when I did pad surgery. Sara may, as well. @bunnyman666 any chance you have some pics of the procedure you performed? I have the necessary instruments but as I told Sara when I reached out to her, I'm far more comfortable using the equipment than taking it apart and putting it back together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnyman666 Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 1 minute ago, BadAngle41 said: @bunnyman666 any chance you have some pics of the procedure you performed? I have the necessary instruments but as I told Sara when I reached out to her, I'm far more comfortable using the equipment than taking it apart and putting it back together. I will have to pull those pix from my iPad, but I be VERY happy to show you how to do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
![THE GOAL[ie] NET[work]](http://content.invisioncic.com/r274873/monthly_2018_03/logo-02.png.d6f61971ea123d3bfb039f976a1ffe77.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.