DIY Wing Evolution

[James79]

Thanks for responding. I've made my own bladders for an xdeep ghost type and a razor sidemount type, both of which worked ok. I tried to make an oval one like you do but it wasn't great so maybe the swimring is the answer. Do they trap air because the shapes are different or am I imagining an issue that doesn't exist?
I have a dodgy shoulder and can't reach doubles valves so wont be needing to make a doubles wing any time soon!
Cheers

I haven't had any issues with air trapping. In my conversation with Tkdcol I broke out a pretty thorough how to on them... Want me to clean it up into a single document and send it?

 

[SurteesDiver]

I haven't had any issues with air trapping. In my conversation with Tkdcol I broke out a pretty thorough how to on them... Want me to clean it up into a single document and send it?

Yes please, that would be great James, or was that an online conversation - can I go looking and find it myself?

 

[James79]

Yes please, that would be great James, or was that an online conversation - can I go looking and find it myself?

It was in DMs. It's past my bed time, lol, so I'll copy and clean them up tomorrow to post.

 

[James79]

Mk1 through Mk4 instructions and my cuttingboard backplate template attached.
Use at own risk.

 

[SurteesDiver]

Mk1 through Mk4 instructions and my cuttingboard backplate template attached.
Use at own risk.

Thanks James, that is pretty much as I did but with the homemade bladder instead of the pool ring. Nice to read your process, thank you!
Metric instructions?

 

[James79]

Thanks James, that is pretty much as I did but with the homemade bladder instead of the pool ring. Nice to read your process, thank you!
Metric instructions?

Original posts were to someone in metric land... I work in both pretty interchangeably.

 

[SurteesDiver]

Original posts were to someone in metric land... I work in both pretty interchangeably.

I do too, sewing is slightly easier in imperial I think.

 

[pizzajohn]

Thanks James, that is pretty much as I did but with the homemade bladder instead of the pool ring. Nice to read your process, thank you!
Metric instructions?

I'd be curious to know what you used to make your own bladder. I have been using intex tubes and they do end up getting small holes over time.

 

[SurteesDiver]

I'd be curious to know what you used to make your own bladder. I have been using intex tubes and they do end up getting small holes over time.

I pretty much followed RaftingTigger's process. I used PU lined polyester material. I stitched the seam and then painted a coat of Seamgrip thinned with toluene on the stitiching on inside of the bladder (all except the very bottom which I stitched after gluing inside (important to keep the two fabric layers apart while the glue dries). I then used the same method to seal the stitching from the outside and between the hem fabric layers.

A failure mode that you need to be careful to avoid is that if there is a line of glue that isn't smooth inside it is possible that the PU coating gets pulled off the fabric. The fabric will then leak - my experience is that the leak is slow so not the end of the world, but you will then need to do it again...

The polyester that I used wasn't particularly thick and I only use a single layer (it's not in another protective layer). I expected that it would chaff through so I was kee ping an eye on it... but its been good for 40 or 50 dives so far...

 

[Umuntu]

Figured my vintage triples needed a wing.
Works well.
I have done the same thing using the same back plate for a single tank.. it was for a small kid. Where most bcd where to big.View attachment 677823

What size of inner tube did you use: and car or motorcycle ?