DIY hookah system.

[fstbttms]

I guess I'm just an idiot.

Do you know what food grade means?

Grade E describes the breathing gas quality is acceptable by the scuba industry as acceptable to put into tanks. I somehow doubt that all commercial guys are breathing grade E gas out of their LP compressor or hookah rig?

The most commonly used hose for commercial rigs is Gates 33HB. However. Food Grade products are safe for air, just not necessarily compatible with oxygen or helium use (but that's a separate rating). For a hookah system to 30' - what is the problem with food grade (able to be used for food and beverage service).

You seem to be on a lone crusade against food grade for hose use on this and on other forums?

I am not on a "crusade" against what you call "food grade" hose. I am trying to point out that the military and commercial industry standard for breathing hose is Grade-E. But maybe you are correct and "Grade-E" refers to the quality of the air provided by the hose, not the hose itself. I'm not sure. But I am sure that your hose should meet MIL-H-2815G Section 3.12.2. Use anything else at your own risk.

 

[HowardE]

I am not on a "crusade" against what you call "food grade" hose. I am trying to point out that the military and commercial industry standard for breathing hose is Grade-E. But maybe you are correct and "Grade-E" refers to the quality of the air provided by the hose, not the hose itself. I'm not sure. But I am sure that your hose should meet MIL-H-2815G Section 3.12.2. Use anything else at your own risk.

Well... reading your posts here; on other sub-forums on SB, and on other forums all together... it certainly seems like you're extremely passionate about this topic which now you're correcting yourself. Maybe you should consider retracting your previous statement in which you referred to anyone who thought otherwise than you (where you were wrong) as an idiot?

Now I'll ask you this... the Military spec which you're citing ... do you know what THAT means?

While your caution is not a bad thing... It's a little overly conservative for a simple system for shallow depths.


BTW - the hose on our commercial grade divers umbilical line is yellow... and it's not cheap.

 

[fstbttms]

Maybe you should consider retracting your previous statement in which you referred to anyone who thought otherwise than you (where you were wrong) as an idiot?

Hey buddy, if the shoe fits...

Now I'll ask you this... the Military spec which you're citing ... do you know what THAT means?

Yes.

The bottom line is (which you know as well as I do, despite your attempt to parse my words) that you should not dive with any hose that is not specifically designed to provide breathing air. Using anything else poses a health risk. That means don't use pneumatic tool hose or welding hose or your grandma's douche bag hose etc., etc.

 

[HowardE]

The bottom line is (which you know as well as I do, despite your attempt to parse my words) that you should not dive with any hose that is not specifically designed to provide breathing air. Using anything else poses a health risk. That means don't use pneumatic tool hose or welding hose or your grandma's douche bag hose etc., etc.

I'll ignore your petty, rude, and truly against the TOS of ScubaBoard insults, and skip to the crux of your tirade, which you continue to pursue.

I'd like for you to cite references for your revelations (since apparently, you're the only one who thinks that you need to find air hose specifically approved for breathing air - for shallow diving of air to relatively low pressures, without the introduction of oxygen or other breathing gases to the mixture). Since you're deeming welding hose off limits... let's see some backup to your theory.

I and the other idiots await your enlightened response.

 

[fstbttms]

I'll ignore your petty, rude, and truly against the TOS of ScubaBoard insults, and skip to the crux of your tirade, which you continue to pursue.

Jeezus. Why don't you cry about it to the moderators?

I'd like for you to cite references for your revelations (since apparently, you're the only one who thinks that you need to find air hose specifically approved for breathing air - for shallow diving of air to relatively low pressures, without the introduction of oxygen or other breathing gases to the mixture). Since you're deeming welding hose off limits... let's see some backup to your theory.
I and the other idiots await your enlightened response.

Hey, I don't give a crap what you breathe off of.

But let me ask you this- if just any hose is safe to use, why did the government require the mil spec? I'll tell you why; because non-mil spec hoses can off-gas toxins. So again, fee free to justify using hose that isn't designed to provide breathing air to save a couple of bucks (or whatever your rationale is.) They're you're lungs, knock yourself out, chief.

 

[Rich Keller]

Howard, This fstbttms guy either sells this type of equipment and your idea is cutting into his profits or already spent way too much for his set up and now wants to not feel like a jerk for doing so. There is no difference between the rubber used in real diving hose and oxygen hose. I would however start with new hose so as not to worry about what may have been passed through it before. I am still not sure what you mean by "food grade hose" but if it is what I think it is you may want to stick with something more durable that also has a higher working pressure.

 

[fstbttms]

Howard, This fstbttms guy either sells this type of equipment and your idea is cutting into his profits or already spent way too much for his set up and now wants to not feel like a jerk for doing so.

Yeah, that what it is. I feel stupid for spending too much money on the gear that keeps me alive every day while I'm earning a living. Because the difference between breathing hose and whatever you use is what- a buck a foot? Friggin' ponderous.

 

[Rich Keller]

Yeah, that what it is. I feel stupid for spending too much money on the gear that keeps me alive every day while I'm earning a living. Because the difference between breathing hose and whatever you use is what- a buck a foot? Friggin' ponderous.

Thats good! Knowing you have a problem is the first step needed before correcting the problem. Though I would have gone with the word ignorant rather then stupid but you know yourself best so stupid it is. There may be hope for you yet.

 

[orb353]

I am doing the same thing, building a third lung. I tell you what I have discovered. The older belt driven compressors are gast and thomas pumps. The gast (the ones that require the 263 rebuilt kit) are high cfm compressors, pumping about 5cfm @ 40psi. You can buy them from Keene engineering
Air Compressor Systems: Keene Engineering Online

but they are expensive. It is listed as a pca-10 compressor from GAST. You can pick them up on ebay sometimes. One just sold for 255$. I just bought a gast 1VBF that has an electric motor on it, and I will take the motor off and put a pulley on it, for a gas engine.

Then there are the newer style direct drive wobble piston pumps. Like this one
Super Snorkel
They produce ALOT of cfm's but are really expensive. These use Thomas Industries compressors
just like the ones they Thomas used to sell as contruction compressors.
Thomas Renegade Model TG-400HST Gas Air Compressor - NOT AVAILABLE
It is the same setup, same rpm's. But those are not available for sale any longer.

Industrial Air Contractor Pontoon Air Compressor with Honda OHC/OHV Engine — 4 Gallon, 155 PSI, Model# CTA5090412 | Gas Powered Air Compressors | Northern Tool + Equipment

This is the best deal I could find on a construction oilless compressor that could be used. I know somw people will say that you shouldn't use those type, but I have done lots of research....it is all the same stuff.
I only want enough air for 2 people to about 50 ft deep, so I am , for now, just going to use the gast compressor that I have.

Oliver

 

[fstbttms]

The entire Thomas Air PAC line (including the model you linked to) had been out of production for over a year while the company relocated its manufacturing facility. But now they are building them again and are currently filling backorders for their big customers. Last I heard was they will be available for individual retail purchase in the fall.

BTW- I have never heard anything good about the Gast compressors. Just sayin'.