Backplate (DSS) mods

[*Floater*]

There's a few minor modifications I made to my DSS backplates which I'll share in case someone else would benefit from doing the same.

1. Adding another STA hole.

If you use the DSS plate without an STA, then this issue doesn't concern you. Otherwise some STAs place the tank too high causing me to bump my head into the first stage when I look up. And it's not possible to put the STA on the bottom hole of the DSS (medium) plate because there's no corresponding hole for it at the top. So I took my plate to a local metal shop and they drilled another hole on it at the point where the webbing crosses the top webbing slots:

With the kydex plate the rivet was a little too close for this, so I had them drill the extra hole slightly lower and then lengthen the bottom hole so that the STA would fit:

As you can see I also had to burn a hole into the webbing, but that shouldn't be a problem.

In last pic above you can see that the STA's top cam strap slots are still higher than the plate's top cam strap slots, but at least this allows me to place the tank a little bit lower.

2. DSS extra weight plate modification

Here's what the extra weight plates look like (from DSS site):

Here's what mine look like after modification:

Notice that I cut the bottom loop open. This is simply so that I can slide the weight plates on the diver's side of the plate without undoing the webbing. DSS doesn't recommend people use them on this side, but I like to have that option available in case a given set of doubles bolts is too short otherwise, or if the extra weight plates interfere with something else (wings, independent doubles rig, etc.), plus I also think I could zip tie them on the inside of my kydex plate (though I haven't tried) in case I only want to travel with the Kydex plate and the extra weight plates instead of two separate backplates. (For example, I might need the Kydex plate for Coz diving in a 3mm wetsuit and the steel plate for cave diving in a 7mm wetsuit on the same dive vacation).

Ideally I'd like an aluminum DSS plate that would accept the DSS extra weight plate, that way you could basically have an aluminum and steel backplate in one.

 

[JeffG]

Ideally I'd like an aluminum DSS plate that would accept the DSS extra weight plate, that way you could basically have an aluminum and steel backplate in one.

Aluminum is so easy to work with, you could do it yourself (if you are into DIY projects and are a little bit handy)

 

[*Floater*]

Aluminum is so easy to work with, you could do it yourself (if you are into DIY projects and are a little bit handy)

Nah, too much trouble when I can just do this:

Now just add the other weight plate, throw a sausage weight in the center channel, add a heavy STA and you effectively have about a 15-20# plate setup.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Nice job, Floater! I admire your ingenuity.

OK... if you can stand a little teasin' offered in good fun...

Did you get permission for those mods? I don't think so!

Now just add the other weight plate, throw a sausage weight in the center channel, add a heavy STA and you effectively have about a 15-20# plate setup.

and...

That has got to set the record for the most expensive backplate in the world... what... maybe $350... not including the harness and hardware. Or... I guess you have two plates... $175 each.

Just messin' with ya. Nice work... great idea!

 

[*Floater*]

That has got to set the record for the most expensive backplate in the world... what... maybe $350... not including the harness and hardware. Or... I guess you have two plates... $175 each.

Just messin' with ya. Nice work... great idea!

Well, I think it would be cheaper anyway because bp/w divers end up with a lot of that stuff anyway (sta's, v- or sausage weights, etc) and because you would only have to buy the webbing/hardware once.

Now the zip tie solution is sort of half-as$ed even though I'm sure it would hold up fine. But an aluminum plate which could be loaded with extra weight plates would be nice for new divers because then they wouldn't have to struggle between whether to buy aluminum/kydex or steel plate, and because it's easier to travel with just one plate and some accessories rather than with two separate ones.

 

[CompuDude]

Nice job! Now just replace those zip ties with cave line knots, and you could almost call it DIR-ready. LOL

Good thought on taking the plate somewhere to have the holes professionally done, though... I've considered messing with mine, but I don't really have the right tools. (I suppose my drill press would work, but it's been in storage since I moved into a condo and lost my backyard and garage...)