I'm going to build my own wing and backplate this weekend

[sontek]

I've decided to build my own backplate and wing this weekend and would like your guys opinion/tips on doing this.

Currently what I have planned:

For the bladder:
Amazon.com: Slime 5001-A Raw Auto Inner Tube - 700/750 R15/16: Automotive

For the cover:
Amazon.com: 58'' Wide Heavy Duty Nylon Canvas Black Fabric By The Yard: Home & Garden

For the back plate:
Amazon.com: White PVC Sheet, Type 1, 1/4" Thick 12" x 12": Industrial & Scientific

For single tank attachment, cut the pipe in half and it'll be good to go:
Amazon.com: Genova 40050 Pipe 4-Inch by 10-Foot Solid Sewer Pipe: Home Improvement

For the harness:
Amazon.com: Keeper 2815 15-Foot Emergency Tow Strap: Home Improvement

For the belt, decided to go with rubber so its flexible and will stay
tight even at depth:
Amazon.com: Omer Rubber Weight Belt with Plastic Buckle: Sports & Outdoors

This is the backplate design I'm using:
Backplate Template


What do you think?

Things I haven't figured out how to solve yet:
1. How to attach the inflator hose and dump valves so they are air tight
2. If the PVC is durable enough to not crack when holding a tank, it is 1/4" thick so I believe it will be fine.
3. How to bend the backplate so that it will fit more comfortable on the back with the bolts and straps through it like a standard backplate (I don't have one as a template).

 

[Randy43068]

interesting.

I'm all for DIY, but sometimes it's not practical.

Kinda like walking from Columbus (Ohio) to Cincinnati. It can be done, but not very practical.

Having said that, I'm interested to know if it works to your satisfaction.

 

[_Remko_]

A backplate design can be found here:

Diagram om zelf een backplate te maken

For some materials I would look at hot sealable cordura/nylon:

Coated and Uncoated Nylons : Reflective Fabric : Polyester Fabrics : Seattlefabrics.com

Whether it can be done and how economic it is/isn't no idea but I would stick to a purchased bouyancy cell, in any case be carefull.

 

[LittleGoat]

For the back plate:
Amazon.com: White PVC Sheet, Type 1, 1/4" Thick 12" x 12": Industrial & Scientific

...

This is the backplate design I'm using:
Backplate Template

...

3) How to bend the backplate so that it will fit more comfortable on the back with the bolts and straps through it like a standard backplate (I don't have one as a template).

That plastic is too small for a back plate. The designs that you state you are going to use specify 390mm. That is 15.35". Just to let you know.

How to bend the plastic is easy. See instructables.com/id/PVC-Its-Great-for-Inventions/]PVC -- It's Great for Inventions


Let us know how it works and forget what the naysayers chime in with. They don't seem to understand why we DIY.

Sorry for not posting direct links... I can't yet since I have just joined.

*** Edited for spelling and grammar.***

 

[Scott L]

For the harness:
Amazon.com: Keeper 2815 15-Foot Emergency Tow Strap: Home Improvement

I would nix the harness webbing idea. First, that material is too soft. It will be too difficult to don and doff. Second, you will be paying more than the actual cost of the real thing....

For the belt, decided to go with rubber so its flexible and will stay
tight even at depth:
Amazon.com: Omer Rubber Weight Belt with Plastic Buckle: Sports & Outdoors

Why not build with a continuous one-piece webbing?

 

[sontek]

I would nix the harness webbing idea. First, that material is too soft. It will be too difficult to don and doff. Second, you will be paying more than the actual cost of the real thing....

Why not build with a continuous one-piece webbing?

What kind of webbing do you think would be better?

I'm torn between doing a continuous one-piece webbing and using the rubber belt idea, I wanted to solve the issue of having to tighten at depth as the wetsuit compresses, with the rubber belt it'll stay tight the whole dive.

 

[The Kraken]

Buy an ABS plate. Probably cheaper in the long run.

But I do understand your desire to do it yourself, and I commend you for that.

For the forming, buy a heat gun, get a piece of 3" pvc pipe and place the plate on it along the center line and heat it. Let it drape over and cool naturally.

the K

 

[USCScubaboy]

Good luck. Hope it turns out well! :cool3:

 

[Scott L]

What kind of webbing do you think would be better?

I'm torn between doing a continuous one-piece webbing and using the rubber belt idea, I wanted to solve the issue of having to tighten at depth as the wetsuit compresses, with the rubber belt it'll stay tight the whole dive.

PM me your address and I will send you free of charge a 12-14' roll of new webbing I have hanging around. I probaly also have a new buckle...

A seperate rubber belt way complicates the project with few if any benefits. A continuous webbing and buckle are very easy to adjust underwater IMO...

 

[SangP]

Hi guys,

I'm also thinking of making for myself an adjustable harness using 2 inch straps but a lot of the standard stuff use D rings to connect one part of the harness to another but cus of the bend in the rings the second part of the harness is bent in an awkward position.

Other companies use a narrow webbing or stitch a 1" web onto the 2" strap but I'm thinking of using a stainless steel loop instead of a regular D ring to prevent this.

I'm looking for a thicker 2" wide stainless loop like this:
Stainless Steel Loops

I'm also looking for 2" wide stainless steel versions of Strap Adjusters like these:
http://www.strapworks.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PSA&Show=TechSpecs

Please help.

SangP