making your own back plate

[NE_Diver]

I am still new to diving and was looking at a BP/W set up. I showed my brother who is a machinist and he said he could make a back plate easily if I came up with a design. I so I decided to come here and ask some questions.

Does any one have the dimensions for a back plate.

I am 5'10" 150 lbs and am planning on diving a single tank for now.

 

[fisheater]

Unless you and your brother want to do this as an enjoyable hobby, and are willing to invest lots of time and money, you'll be better off simply buying one.

Heck. Today (Black Friday), you can buy a HOG steel backplate for about $85.

 

[Van Isle]

If you've got free use of machines and access to the material (marine grade stainless) go for it! It's 1 cut 2 bends, not tricky. Drill some holes, finish it off. I don't have any plans, though, and of course I'm sure it's against patent law to copy some one else's design to which you have access.

VI

 

[NE_Diver]

I'm sure it's against patent law to copy some one else's design to which you have access.

VI

good point.

 

[fppf]

Its only against patient law to copy a design and sell it.
People DIY designs for there own use all the time. It would be cost prohibitive from a legal stand point to even try and stop people from doing there own thing.

Backplates are easy to make. The material can be had at just about any local metal supplier. If you have the machines and the time, go for it. Do some searches here, there are threads with dimensions. You will need a machine to drill and cut slots, end mill, water jet, laser cutter. And a heavy break to bend the material.

That said, you can find bare bones clearance sales out there for less than the material cost. 304 and 316 stainless plate is not cheap.

 

[NE_Diver]

thanks for the help. I just found the DIY Forum and the question has been asked many times before.

 

[Jasper]

It might be unethical to copy someone else's design but I would bet it happens all the time. You only infringe on a patent if you copy a patented feature. There seems little to patent on a plate with slots and holes.

I've been considering trying myself and it seems like a fun project. I thought I ran across a thread on the board where someone suggested using HDPE plastic such as a cutting board. Since I don't foresee diving doubles I was thinking the .5" cutting board with slots and chunks of the same material screwed down to prevent tank roll.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Aren't all back plates a copy of someone's previous back plate design?

I don't see any significant difference between Halcyon, OMS, Dive Rite, Hammerhead and Oxycheq plates. They are all essentially the same except for some minor difference in bend angle, corner radius, and hole pattern.

DSS plates differ from the others in terms of the integrated rubber webbing keepers, and various lengths. The also have a kydex plate which is different from the others.

Fred T plates differ as well due to being available in different thicknesses and lengths.

I don't think you'll ever run into any issues related to "copying" anyone's plate design.

As for DIY plates. You need access to a shear, or a band saw for cutting, a brake for bending, and a milling machine for drilling and cutting slots.

As for cutting slots, if you don't have access to a milling machine, you can layout the slots, center punch the length of the slots, and hand drill them. A die grinder is useful for finishing the slots. You can use a hand file also.

The holes can all be drilled and deburred with a hand drill motor.

I have made a few backplates and STA's from aluminum and one from stainless. The thread is here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/235657-backplate-sta.html

For what it's worth, I dive a DSS stainless for my single tank rig. I use one of my aluminum plates for doubles.

I'll probably get a DSS kydex plate down the road, because they are really cool.

My recommendation: Make your own from 1/8" aluminum, just for the hell of it. Stainless is pretty labor intensive, don't bother.

Or just buy a DSS or Fred T plate.

-Mitch

 

[Lone Frogman]

I am still new to diving and was looking at a BP/W set up. I showed my brother who is a machinist and he said he could make a back plate easily if I came up with a design. I so I decided to come here and ask some questions.

Does any one have the dimensions for a back plate.

I am 5'10" 150 lbs and am planning on diving a single tank for now.

http://www.huwporter.com/scuba/hplate/Huw_Porter_Backplate.pdf

 

[dkktsunami]

I am still new to diving and was looking at a BP/W set up. I showed my brother who is a machinist and he said he could make a back plate easily if I came up with a design. I so I decided to come here and ask some questions.

There is more involved here than just "dimensions" - all the holes and slots need to be in the appropriate place and this will vary a bit depending on which wing you select. Also you will need very high quality stainless steel and the ability to bend and shape the material. I am not a machinist but someone will likely explain to you that this isn't an easy task. Compared to making one yourself buying one will be a real deal.