Looking for MIL-W-5664-T1-C2.

November 18, 2013 6:15 PM

I am making myself a pair of suspenders. I have determined that the ideal elastic for this endeavor would be MIL-W-5664 Type 1 Class 2, 1.5 inch width, dark green. I have found a few dealers online that sell this product, but they're wholesalers and have minimum orders in the range of a thousand feet or so. I'm looking for about twelve feet of the stuff.
posted by CustooFintel to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

It will be hard to find a distributor who will sell you 12 feet of the MIL-spec stuff, or probably even a single spool. You might have some luck asking for samples, however.

Also, check local Army-Navy surplus stores... the ones I frequent have spools of elastic webbing/strapping for less than $1/ft. I don't know if it's MIL or not, but does it really matter?
posted by mrrisotto at 6:50 PM on November 18, 2013

Would you compromise and go with 1 inch and buy 200 yards? You could make 500 pairs so you have some spares.
posted by unliteral at 7:00 PM on November 18, 2013

What are the properties that make it "ideal"?
posted by kagredon at 7:20 PM on November 18, 2013

Have you tried Strapworks?
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 7:44 PM on November 18, 2013

Did K&W Webbing come up in your search? Worth an email.

Likewise the Rhode Island Textile Company --MIL-W-5664 Elastic Type 1 Class 1 and Type 2 Class 2.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:17 PM on November 18, 2013

DIY Tactical is for people that make their own tactical gear, and have a lot of sources for mil-spec components. Check out their forum.
posted by Harald74 at 5:04 AM on November 19, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: kagredon, it's simply a variety that has the right amount of stretch. I've tried a variety of elastics from Strapworks and other places, including MIL-W-5664-T1-C1, but they're all too weak and stretchy; they're suitable for dress suspenders, but not for actually holding up a pair of pants with full pockets. I've also found some MIL-W-5664-T1-C3, which was so thick and stiff it was like cardboard (it's mostly used for parachute straps, I understand).

I don't actually need elastic which is military in nature, it's just that the variety I named is the only thing I've found that seems likely to fit the bill.
posted by CustooFintel at 1:44 PM on November 19, 2013