BP/W -- Nuts and Bolts

[CD_in_Chitown]

and I'd have to carry a wrench with my dive kit... more crap!

You don't carry a wrench already? How do you change hoses or second stages in a pinch?

 

[CompuDude]

You don't carry a wrench already? How do you change hoses or second stages in a pinch?

Bah. If it can't be changed with ye olde all-in-one scuba tool, or something the boat I'm on has on hand, I guess I'm SOL. That's why I do extensive gear checks before leaving the house.

 

[Mandy3206]

Bah. If it can't be changed with ye olde all-in-one scuba tool, or something the boat I'm on has on hand, I guess I'm SOL. That's why I do extensive gear checks before leaving the house.

I see you don't have too many dives, so that explains your point of view, but as soon you have to sit out a dive I bet next time, you'll have a save a dive kit so big, that you may need a separate box for it.

I got everything I need and some things I may never use. One time the first stage dust cover crumbled to small pieces in my hand when installing it after the first dive of the day (not a big deal, but can lead to water entering the 1st stage if not very carefull), I got one on my save a dive, and the reg was protected again in no time.
I also carry an old spare lp hose in case one of mine blows.

I've seen blown neck o-rings, lp hoses, 1st stage dust filter snap-ring break, ect.

I carry the SCUBA tool, but also carry the adj. wrenches, pliers, and drivers 'cause the SCUBA tool is very brute on the gear and will mark and chip most of the cromium it touches.

 

[NeilH]

I've never liked wingnuts for anything secure. I've started using stainless lockwashers under stainless acorn nuts. Nothing to snag. Carry a cheap box-end wrench.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I don't get it.

I just don't see this as an issue. Wingnuts work fine... at least I've never had a problem loosing one even when I forgot to use a lock washer... and I forget those a lot. I tighten 'em down pretty good but I don't have gorilla hands.

How are you huys getting your wingnuts to back so far off during the course of a dive? I mean it's not like there's a lot of vibration going on. I certainly can't see using something that you have to put a wrench to. The pic above looks very nice but seems best for guys that don't change their gear around much... and for those that don't pull apart their rig to rinse... and man, you'd have to have your bolts cut real short!

 

[NeilH]

The carriage bolts are not shortened. Standard 5/16-18 x 3/4" that came with my backplate. Acorn nuts have a fairly deep well.

Not my intent to disparage, just present another option. I just can't bring myself to use a wingnut on anything other than a quick-access panel. But that's just me.

 

[Hoosier]

The carriage bolts are not shortened. Standard 5/16-18 x 3/4" that came with my backplate. Acorn nuts have a fairly deep well.

Not my intent to disparage, just present another option. I just can't bring myself to use a wingnut on anything other than a quick-access panel. But that's just me.

Actually, it looks sweet option. It is also possible to change the length of the carriage bolt depending on the needs, such as adding P-weight on the hole.

 

[alo100]

Wait a minute, is lundysd using dss plate?
The Derlrin Thumbwheel works together with the retainer, right, and from the web page, and I guess more than one person has reminded that the retainer only works for dss setup.... will any plate works with that? It does matter with the thickness, doesn't it?

Good quality stainless steel won't corrode which is exactly what you want. In terms of what type, carriage bolts work well for connecting an STA. They have a rounded top and a cube shaped section before the threads which prevents them from spinning in the hole. Most people use wing nuts but, if you don't mind the extra effort, nyloc nuts are very secure. They have a small plastic insert insert inside which grabs the threads and prevents them from loosening over time. You will need to use a wrench to take them off - something to keep in mind while travelling. As for size, I use 5/16 of an inch. Take your STA with you if your unsure what size to get. Don't forget to get some washers to go between the plate and the nut. Standard flat washers work fine but some people prefer a lock washer. They have cut on them and are bent slightly, almost like a key ring. When you tighten the nut they straighten out and supposedly prevent the nut from loosening. I prefer to let the nyloc nuts do the work and use plain flat washers.

Oh, I almost forgot. Check out these Delrin Thumbwheels from Deep Sea Supply. I've never used them but I hear they're the real deal. They come in a few different sizes too. Send a PM to cool_hardware52 on this board. He can answer any questions you have about the thumbwheels and is a heck of a nice guy to boot.

 

[PerroneFord]

I use the Delrin thumbwheel on it's own. Works fine.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

With the DSS SS bp and the single tank wing that I have there is no additional hardware except the Elastomeric buttons that hold the wing in place. Since the DSS wing has a built in tank stabilizer and doesn't use an STA, the wing just sandwiches between the tank and the BP. This discussion about hardware, wing nuts, locking nuts, etc ... is that because you're using an STA which must be fastened to the BP or are you using doubles?