Determining optimal dimensions for a DIY backplate

[acteg]

Hey guys, I did a search already but didn't find exactly what I was looking for.

How do I determine the optimal height and width for a backplate?

Should I take measurements as if I am getting a suit made and plug it into some magical backplate formula, or should I just take the dimensions from my current backplate that seems to work well (it's my only bp so I wouldn't know otherwise), or should I look at the dimensions of a DSS medium plate which is in my height range and go from there?

Just asking, because I wasn't sure if there was a rule of thumb for the dimensions of your bp relative to your body dimensions.

I've got the template from the H-plate website. I was thinking of cutting my .125 kydex based on the pre-bent dimensions (similar to my current plate) of the H-plate, heating up my kydex, and then vacuum forming it onto the Oxycheq plate I am currently using. Alternatively I would heat it up with a heat gun and bend it as you would a metal plate. I guess I could also put my Oxy plate and the heated kydex in a foam press and do it that way as well. Anyway... Once it cools and hardens I would trim the excess then make the slots/holes/etc.

FYI a 16" x 16" .125 Kydex sheet was $17 shipped off ebay. Maybe cheaper elsewhere, but it's cheap enough for me to make it a weekend project.

Reason for desire for a new backplate is that I am switching from aluminum 80s to steel HP100s. If I bungle up this kydex attempt I'll pick up a new AL plate for $55 and call it a day.
thanks in advance for the help

 

[BlackPatch]

Hi Acteg

I was looking at doing this also but for slightly smaller tanks.

Your new Cylinder Dimensions will be about 7.29 inches OD and about 25.2 inches in length for a 100CFT tank with Valve.
You were using 80's with the roughly the following dimensions 26" x 7.25" With Valve

You don't need to make any modifications to your backplate by these numbers. It will be a direct swap out especially if you are looking at using the same Back Wing.

The only difference that I can see is the bottom of the tank will be higher up the plate due to the decrease in length. Although it is only slightly over 3/4" of an inch!!
\
Hope that helps.

Pete

 

[SupSonDiver]

I dont think there is any magical formula. You might wanna cut out a piece of cardboard and check to see if the "standard" backplate length fits you. Or you can scour around for some general dimensions (lenght x widths) for small, regular & tall backpalte sizes. DSS for example has those special sizes and I am sure if you find a fellow forum user who owns them and you ask them to give you some measurements they will be very helpful. Other than that, I think the "regular" size fits most sizes under the larger volume of the bell curve. As far as corresponding to the tanks, you may want to consider where you put your tank strap slots. That is also corresponding to which wing you use, unless you turn your plate into a cheese plate with lots of multi purpose/usage holes and slots. There are some custom plates ive seen with 3 sets of shoulder slots (for wider or narrower body size), 2 sets of waist straps, for regular or taller body types correspondingly with the 3 slot sets on each of the waist strap vertical placement slot sets. The only thing I find consistent amongst backplates are the STA mounting center to center distance. It uses an M8, or 3/4", carriage bolt with a center to center distant of 11inches.

 

[acteg]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm a little late getting back to this thread, but here is where I am at right now. Going to cut some slots here in a minute. So far I am $16 into this little project. I've got an extra webbing/cam bands/etc setup laying around which I will use for this bp.