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Good to know that I can always count on you for posts of consistent quality and, how shall we say, unique point of view, on any compressor-related topic, Iain.

Just found out that Texas-based Mantus Marine has entered the compressor business and now offers a marinized compressor that runs on 13A 120V for a free air delivery rate of approximately 1.2 cfm (extrapolating from manufacturer's claims). The compressor weighs 63 pounds including motor and...

While I realize that this was tongue-in-cheek, there are some fittings where proper torque is critical. On some diaphragm first stages, the spring housing must be properly torqued so that the diaphragm is properly retained. Excessive torque, or insufficient torque, can lead to the diaphragm...

If your dives are shallow (<30') then time doesn't matter much. It is useful as a proxy for distance in navigation, but you can count kicks. It is useful as a proxy for air consumption, but you have an SPG. Typically on shallow (again <30') dives I carry a small, inexpensive DC because it is...

Nice, those are more versatile and not much heavier or bulkier.

Backplate and 17# wing. They're nice but not big enough for 7mm wetsuits or 120 cf cylinders. Looks like everything is there. It's probably fine, but you pays your money and takes your chances.

It's in this thread: Carry-On Backplate-Backpack?

You would want a lightweight backplate, either an aluminum one, a stainless steel one with cutouts, or a plastic one (DSS used to make these from Kydex). Assuming a warm water dive, you would then ideally want a lightweight "travel" wing with a capacity of around 20 pounds or so. I have...

I'm not sure what the exact requirement is but technically for CGA comliance the valve is supposed to be torqued a specific amount and still have some number of threads showing. I thought it was just one full thread but I could be mistaken. With tapered threads the threads on the valve do wear...

It's not. I tried to use a standard one from DGX to replace the pull dump the previous owner of my wing had installed. Elbow wouldn't seal. Sanded it down with a pad sander. Still wouldn't seal. Sent it to Tobin. Tobin said some idiot put on the wrong elbow, then sent it back with a new...

I saw those listed somewhere (Craigslist? Facebook?) earlier today along with an old AL80 and almost replied. Can't find the listing now. They're probably worth hydro, VIP, and a new valve. Someone who dives vintage might want the existing valve assembly but I wouldn't. I might be interested...

With a couple of exceptions, I dive LP72s and HP120s and get them filled at a dive shop. Dealing with short fills is part of the process for me. I use two shops. Either way, I make every effort to leave cylinders for a whole day because I know that both shops run their cascade at 3600 PSI and...

I always thought hydro tests were performed without the valve. Perhaps I was mistaken.

There are some early LP72s that had M18x1.5 metric threads (with an o-ring) that are very close to 1/2" npsm. Perhaps that is what you have. M18 valves with scuba regulator connections are available on ebay etc. These threads have been used for SCBA tanks and various other applications for...

I've posted previously about our trip, now three years ago. Diving was enjoyable but not world class. Lots of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, some good restaurants. We stayed in an AirBnB. We would go again. Like any of the ABC islands, the weather is reliably good, and that was appealing...

I think there is a place for constructive discussion of how those of us with DSS gear can make the most of it. But the Scubaboard Community was quick to recommend DSS gear in the past and has been highly supportive of other boutique brands, among them HOG, VDH, the Freedom backplate, and Deep...

I have three DSS wings. The one I've seen the inside of is not single ply. Can't say for certain with the others but I believe they also have urethane linings. Tobin made a big deal out of offering rapid-turn repair service rather than installing zippers on the outer shell of the wings and...

The broader problem at work here is that the packaged gas industry has a fleet of aluminum and steel high-pressure cylinders numbering well into the millions. The steel ones get hydro tested every ten years, for the most part, and the aluminum ones get tested every five years. It is rare for...

Looks more like sloppy threading work than a crack, to me. Why would anyone want an Asahi cylinder anyway? They're unnecessarily heavy. LDS may be doing you a favor.

I have read through the entire text of all three of the major HP special permits/exemptions -- PST, Worthington, Faber. PST led the way, Faber was a copy with minor improvements, Worthington was another copy with more minor improvements. The original PST permit is a modified version of 3AA...