DIY Fin Straps?

[JamesBon92007]

Is there an old post on the subject? I could not find one.

I have several pairs of fins that need new straps. Anyone have any suggestions on what else to use besides buy a bunch of overpriced straps from a dive shop? I was thinking perhaps there is some kind of rubber strips that might work. The problem is finding them.

I used to buy extra straps but by the time I needed them they had rotted at about the same rate as the ones on my fins even though they were kept out of the sun the whole time.

 

[gsk3]

Buy or make spring straps so you don't have to keep replacing cheap rubber ones?

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Double strips of truck inner tube and then use string to squeeze the strap ands so they won't slide, non adjustable, but very strong, flexible

 

[regtechkidd]

I know this is a DIY forum....and I am all for making my own stuff. However, Trident makes some "universal fin straps"(p/n#RPH60) that are pretty cheap, and work for almost any fin on the market (even the old ScubaPro Jet fins!) Ive got fin straps over ten years old that have been kept in my basement in a sealed container that are just fine.

 

[spectrum]

The heart of many DIY spring straps is this $5.11 spring from McMaster Carr. Item 3932K54

Cover it in vinyl tube, add a pull and end hardware. If they are not long enough such as with big DS boots you can include some solid extension in your end fitment.

Pete

 

[JamesBon92007]

Lotsa good suggestions. I had not thought about "spring straps" as I've never used them. Stainless steel springs sound like they ought to outlast me. I'll look more closely at the Trident Universal straps but right now there's a void inside my head where the image of the connecting hardware should be.

I had a thick truck inner tube that would probably work but it disappeared when I moved. Do they still use inner tubes in trucks? Just about everything I have is tubeless except little 10" generator or 15" wheelbarrow tires.

 

[Couv]

here's a thread you'll find helpful:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/259117-making-my-own-springstraps.html

 

[JamesBon92007]

Thanks for the link! I just happen to have about 100 feet of bungee cord and have been contemplating something akin to a spring strap....

 

[elmer fudd]

I've got bungee cord straps on one set of fins. They work just fine. All I did was cut the cords to the right length, melt the ends so they wouldn't unravel, then loop them around the round posts of the fins and secure them with a couple of tie wraps. I've got maybe 40 dives on those fins with those straps and they're holding up just fine. They were a big improvement over the clumsy Mares buckles the fins came with.