NetDoc's nifty new tank rack...

[The Chairman]

I got the idea from Cave Country Dive Shop when I was having my tanks filled. My tank garden was unruly at best. There were tanks standing up, falling down behind a door and ponies running all over the place. It was a headache and dangerous to see a round bottom steel slip and slide from where I had it leaning. So, when I saw the rack at Cave Country Dive Shop in High Springs Fl, I got permission and then took a picture and jotted down some measurements. I like working from center measurements and the easiest way to get those is to measure edge to edge. I then asked Tara how she liked them and she said that they should be a half inch wider per tank to accommodate the big steels with the side mount harness on them. I'm glad I asked as I dive side mount with some fat steels.

 

[The Chairman]

I measured 18 7/8" edge to edge width at CCDS and so I increased it to 20". I also measured 10 5/8" edge to edge height, so I increased it to 11". That gave me an overall width of 61 1/2" and a height of 34 1/2". You have to add the last member to keep the edge to edge measurements right. I got a dado blade from Harbor Freight, as I didn't want to make a bazillion 1/8" cuts. I then went to Lowes and got 5- 8' 2X4ss and 16- 8' 2x2s. I made dado cuts on the 2X4s to accomodate 4 2X2s to make the front and back frames of the rack. I played with camfering the edges of the tank rails and felt that it allowed the tanks to hang too low since they are now 9/16" further apart. I finally left them square, as it was far less work and the tanks just sat better. I had to drill 104 pilot holes and that was getting quite tedious, so I made a jig to facilitate the measuring and drilling. I used 3/4" off the edges so I was able to use the same jig for both the 2X4 and 2X2 rails. I used a dab of glue for each joint and #8- 2 1/2" screws to get everything together. At the end, I decided to use some scrap 5/8" plywood as a top. I added a 2X2 as a back stop and it came out looking great.

Somehow, I have a lot of 2X2s left over.

 

[ScubaAl]

I have a totally unrelated question, the third picture with the 2 bottles with regulators on them. Do you happen to know there make. I have 1 that looks the same I use for drysuit inflation and really should service it.

Thank, Al

 

[The Chairman]

I have a totally unrelated question, the third picture with the 2 bottles with regulators on them. Do you happen to know there make. I have 1 that looks the same I use for drysuit inflation and really should service it.

Thank, Al

I believe they are made by Coltri or Coltri Sub. I got these from 123Scuba. Here is the link: Regulators: Scuba Gear and Diving Equipment

 

[ScubaAl]

I believe they are made by Coltri or Coltri Sub. I got these from 123Scuba. Here is the link: Regulators: Scuba Gear and Diving Equipment

Thanks, I think that may have been where I got the regulator some years ago. Now I'll start looking for a service kit.
BTW very nice job on the tank rack. I should probably do something along the same lines as I have around 18 tanks.

Al

 

[LowVizWiz]

Somehow, I have a lot of 2X2s left over.

It looks like there's plenty of room for a few extra tanks... I should leave a set down there !
Nice job.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Should we give you a new nick? Maybe something like "handydiverdoc"? Looks great!

 

[The Chairman]

Thanks, I think that may have been where I got the regulator some years ago. Now I'll start looking for a service kit.

They have them and seats as well. They don't come with the service kit.

It looks like there's plenty of room for a few extra tanks... I should leave a set down there !
Nice job.

Mi casa, su casa!

 

[DiveNav]

you have too much free time!!!

Are you planning to be in SoCal any time soon? .......

Nice Job.

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[Tanks]

Nice rack Doc!:banana::banana::banana: I give it three dancing bananas.