DIY Equipment

[dmdalton]

Articles I've written on projects I've done with pics:

Line Cutter & Sheath

http://home.earthlink.net/~toddclagett/NovaTech/knifesheath.htm

Trilaminate Moisture Extraction Device

http://home.earthlink.net/~toddclagett/NovaTech/drysuitdryer.htm

Spring Straps for Jet/Turtle Fins

http://www.deeperstuff.com/spring-strap.htm

Also made:

O2 analyzer and have an article ready to go (almost) with improvments over the kits or commercial units

Low cost low profile STA for BP & Wings

Nitrox/Trimix fill whip

V-weight mold & weights

and other assorted goodies.

Dave Dalton, ILTMS (I like to make stuff)

 

[ericfine50]

Dave,

What did you do with your 02 analyzer? DIY STA?

Thanks
Eric

 

[Padipro]

canuckdiver once bubbled...
The only weak point I have found on the maglights is the switch, you have to block it off, or machine a new barrel.

Cut the Mag_lite tube off just below the switch hole, remove the threads from inside the head of the light until the tube slides into the head all the way to the lip of the hole. When you're ready to assemble just slop a bunch of JB Weld on the tube and inside the head, slide the two together and wipe off the excess. This removes the hole and creates a water tight joint between the head and the tube. I've had mine down to 131 feet and it was dry as a bone.

Scott

Light Pic's

 

[dmdalton]

ericfine50 once bubbled...
Dave,

What did you do with your 02 analyzer? DIY STA?

Thanks
Eric

I used a 10 turn wirewound pot $16) instead of a $2 radio shack and a 15 turn trimmer pot instead of a fixed resistor. Not as touchy to adjust and the trimmer pot lets you "chase" a sensor that is on the way out.

Single tank adaptor from low profile fiberglass u-channel.

I'll do stories on both.

Dave D

 

[divad]

I use no-hub caps for lens covers, but I didn't make them.

 

[mddolson]

Here's a link to a web sight by REINHARD KOPKA.
http://insel.heim.at/malediven/350052/english.htm

He has a number of DIY projects.

Here are my contributions:
Cannister Light:
http://insel.heim.at/malediven/350052/miked1_e.htm

Video Housing:
http://insel.heim.at/malediven/350052/mikedo_e.htm

regards

MikeD

:blfish:

 

[Hard Hat Diver]

Check out http://www.cool-plans.com

 

[FredT]

There are several DIY projects in the gear guide section there.


http://diverlink.com/gear/doityourself.htm

FT

 

[Cave Diver]

This is probably a stupid question since it seems that all of you have far more experience in the DIY projects than I do, but I'll never know if I don't ask...

Has anyone ever tried putting a fitting on their camera or dive light housing to pressurize it internally? Something like a one way schrader valve so that the internal pressure could help the structural integrety withstand the pressure exerted at depth?

I know that a lot of designs rely on the pressure against an o-ring to seal, but it seems that if a housing was pressurized, instead of a leak causing immediate flooding, it would emit some tell tale bubbles first and possibly give chance to save the internals.

Am I way off base with my thinking here? Inquiring minds wanna know...

 

[FredT]

Cave Diver once bubbled...
Has anyone ever tried putting a fitting on their camera or dive light housing to pressurize it internally? Something like a one way schrader valve so that the internal pressure could help the structural integrety withstand the pressure exerted at depth?

Be aware that Schrader valves are another leak path. In order for this to work you would have to pressurize the housing to a point the internal pressure is in excess of the maximum external pressure you'd see on the dive, or the schrader would be liable to leak water in as soon as external pressure exceeded the internal plus the light spring force. Most cameras would not take the rapid decompression well when you opened the case. Also most case closures are designed to withstand external pressure and simply retain the cover in place lightly, the water pressure actually causes the seal to get better as they do deeper.

FT