1956 DivAir (Model F) Rebuild

[Scuba Lawyer]

I finished my rebuild of my 1956 Bill Arpin designed DivAir Model F (distributed by Healthways). I am informed this was the last DivAir model made. It has the aluminum can and fibreglass body. My research showed it originally came with blue hoses and a Hope-Page mouthpiece so that is how I rebuilt it.

Very simple upstream one-stage design that is different enough from the Voit Sportsman or a USD StreamAir to avoid any patent infringement problems. No venturi assist, but the air is directed right down the intake horn without much spillage into the rest of the can. As with all upstream regs I tuned it on a 300-500 psi tank. It has a, for want of a better description, a macro main lever height adjustment screw and a micro adjustment screw (both locking) that permits very fine tuning. Cracking pressure at 300 psi is .5" H20 and cracking pressure at 2250 psi is just a hair over 1.5" H20. It breathes amazingly!

The built in reserve mechanism is awesome and simple. Kicks in at about 500 psi. The reserve mechanism can also be easily rotated (via an extra screw hole) so the reg will fit on twin tanks. I can tell a lot of thought went into the design.

Special thanks to Nuytco Research, Ltd.'s submersible vehicle pilot Jeff Heaton for casting a new diaphragm and hoses for me!!!

Gonna take this puppy out for a test dive next week! Can’t wait!

Advertisement image courtesy of Vintage Double Hose.

Diagram from Roberts, Basic Scuba (1960)

cc: @Sam Miller III

 

[Compressor]

Congratulations.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Thanks everyone for the "likes" and comment. I learn something new with every regulator I rebuild.

 

[Sam Miller III]

GOOD GOSH !
WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY MARVELOUS VISUAL TREAT !
A fully restored to factory fresh right out of the box DivAir !

A this point in time I am a loss for words to describe this marvelous restoration of a little known long forgotten regulator; Bill Arpin's "DivAir" distributed by equally long forgotten company Richard Kline's
Healthways

It is a thing of beauty that because of your efforts will be a restoration by which all futures DivAir restorations will be measured.

A true treasure of a restored double hose regulator

You certainly raised the bar into the stratosphere for the rest attempt to reach

You did well-- very well
Sam Miller, 111

 

[AfterDark]

You certainly do nice work!

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

GOOD GOSH !
WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY MARVELOUS VISUAL TREAT !
A fully restored to factory fresh right out of the box DivAir !

A this point in time I am a loss for words to describe this marvelous restoration of a little known long forgotten regulator; Bill Arpin's "DivAir" distributed by equally long forgotten company Richard Kline's
Healthways

It is a thing of beauty that because of your efforts will be a restoration by which all futures DivAir restorations will be measured.

A true treasure of a restored double hose regulator

You certainly raised the bar into the stratosphere for the rest attempt to reach

You did well-- very well
Sam Miller, 111

Ok Sam, do I send the standard publicity check to your address in Pismo Beach address in care of Bugs Bunny?

I appreciate your enthusiasm.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Bugs is STILL desperately attempting to reach Pismo-- I suspect if he ever arrives he will be to fatigued to climb the hill-- so it will be a long time before I receive it and even longer before I can cash my blood money .

You and your restoration is encouraging me -- I should pull out my DivAir from the locker and restore it .

SAM

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

You certainly do nice work!

Thank you. Just trying to do my little part to preserve the history of our chosen sport. While I was by no means part of the first generation of scuba divers, I was taught by them and dove with them and learned things from them that will likely never be taught in another scuba class. That first generation is dwindling in number as the years too rapidly pass. I am forever grateful for their willingness to pass on their knowledge base and restoration of early gear is one way to keep the stories alive. Standing down from soapbox now.

 

[Sam Miller III]

@Scuba Lawyer

I shared your regulator pictures with wife Betty, She remined me 1956 was 64 years ago. an entire news generation had been born , grew up and many had retired. Most current divers had never seen or heard of a DivAir regulator

In 1956 the Korean war had recently ceased. I have been released from active duty in USAF and had retuned to Southern California and resumed my recreational diving

At that tine the DivAir was a common regulator often seen on the beaches and the dive boats of SOCAL. Apparently they were in use but I only recall one dive companion who had a DivAir and he along with his regulator left diving many moons ago

Now 64 years later the regulator is edging close to the 100 year mark - only 36 more years and the magic 100 years old ! ! I am certain that your incrediavle restoration will still be around - wont be around You man or may not be, but if your mothers gene are dominate you will be around and still diving our beloved Laguna Beach

Which brings me to a point

As you recall we have several antique clocks in our home. most prominent is the wall clock hanging in the family room.

Several years ago we had it cleaned and repaired. When the repair man returned, he presented us a written document of when the clock was purchased ( Over 100 years ago) were it was purchased (Toronto Canada) and a chronological list of repairs and the initial's of all subsequent repair men .
Apparently since the beginning of clock making and clock repair all professional clock makers and repair men date and initial their work.

I would suggest that you also date and place your name inside the top regulator can of this very fine museum quality regulator as well as all the rest of your incredible regulator restorations

Just Imagine if you will 2056 the regulator will be 100 years old. You maybe still around or your son Hunter may own it or it it may have exchanged hands numerous tines - or it might be and rightfully so in a LOCAL SoCal dive museum

Who ever the owner may be in the future they can open the regulator and proud to proclaim that this DivAir regulator was restored in August 2020 by Mark Spencer.

Think about it ......and do it ! Identify that you did the restoration

SAM

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

@Scuba Lawyer

I shared your regulator pictures with wife Betty, She remined me 1956 was 64 years ago. an entire news generation had been born , grew up and many had retired. Most current divers had never seen or heard of a DivAir regulator

In 1956 the Korean war had recently ceased. I have been released from active duty in USAF and had retuned to Southern California and resumed my recreational diving

At that tine the DivAir was a common regulator often seen on the beaches and the dive boats of SOCAL. Apparently they were in use but I only recall one dive companion who had a DivAir and he along with his regulator left diving many moons ago

Now 64 years later the regulator is edging close to the 100 year mark - only 36 more years and the magic 100 years old ! ! I am certain that your incrediavle restoration will still be around - wont be around You man or may not be, but if your mothers gene are dominate you will be around and still diving our beloved Laguna Beach

Which brings me to a point

As you recall we have several antique clocks in our home. most prominent is the wall clock hanging in the family room.

Several years ago we had it cleaned and repaired. When the repair man returned, he presented us a written document of when the clock was purchased ( Over 100 years ago) were it was purchased (Toronto Canada) and a chronological list of repairs and the initial's of all subsequent repair men .
Apparently since the beginning of clock making and clock repair all professional clock makers and repair men date and initial their work.

I would suggest that you also date and place your name inside the top regulator can of this very fine museum quality regulator as well as all the rest of your incredible regulator restorations

Just Imagine if you will 2056 the regulator will be 100 years old. You maybe still around or your son Hunter may own it or it it may have exchanged hands numerous tines - or it might be and rightfully so in a LOCAL SoCal dive museum

Who ever the owner may be in the future they can open the regulator and proud to proclaim that this DivAir regulator was restored in August 2020 by Mark Spencer.

Think about it ......and do it ! Identify that you did the restoration

SAM

Great idea Sam! I have found names etched in reg cans back in the 50's and 60's and have actually tracked those folks down (or at least found out what became of them). Hearing about some of the dives done on that actual regulator does connect me with the past.

P.S. Mom is still living on her own and is a spry 97 1/2 (as she puts it ). She still asks about you and I fill her in with your doings.