Project/Material Source Links..

[willydiver]

I figured it would be helpful to get a thread going for recommended web-links for quality DIY projects and materials sources. Here are a few great links I’ve come across for DIY projects. Let’s see some others have come across AND recommend. Of course, anything listed here is for research/information purposes only and not an endorsement or approval. Build at your own risk!!

DIY simple knife & sheath
http://home.earthlink.net/~toddclagett/NovaTech/knifesheath.htm

Steve Cooper’s DIY canister light- (excellent), inlcudes parts sources
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/steve.cooper/

Subsurface Tech.- Various DIY projects
http://www.angelfire.com/on/subsurfacetech/frame.html

Texas Knifemakers Supply- Great source of Kydex for knife sheaths, grommets, small attachment fittings, different grades of stainless material, tips on molding Kydex
http://www.texasknife.com/store/s-pages/TKS_MainframeStore.htm

McMaster-Carr- Excellent materials source for just about any DIY project. Acrylic pipe to fasteners to cable glands.
http://www.mcmaster.com/

Online Metals- Excellent source for all types of metals and plastics in any shape/size/quantity you could need.
http://onlinemetals.com/

 

[willydiver]

Here's another good link for webbing, tubular nylon (what's used on the Halcyon spring straps), hardware, buckles, etc.

http://www.strapworks.com/

WD

 

[rhadamanthus]

These guys are awesome for plastics. Don't know how much they deal with individuals anymore, but they used to...

http://www.interstateplastics.com

Rhad

 

[willydiver]

Rhad,

That's a great source. They've got even more types and varieties of plastics than the beloved McMaster.com. Great descriptions and reasonable prices, too.

WD

 

[rhadamanthus]

Cool, hopefully it is useful. I used to know someone that works there back in the day. They were all nerdy about plastic like we are all nerdy about SCUBA.

Rhad

 

[diversteve]

www.allorings.com - good info on sizing, material etc. for o-rings.

 

[willydiver]

Anyone into DIY, in any way shape or form, should go to the Airspeed Press ( http://www.airspeedpress.com/ ) website and check out their books. I just got my copy of the Divelight Companion. This is one of the single most informative publications I have ever bought. I've gotten burned a few times by ordering "Home Project" type manuals or information. Rarely have I been satisfied with the material. Maybe I'm critical or too much of a perfectionist, but when I run across a worthwhile info. source I like to let others know.

The DC covers about anything you can think about that concerns divelights, commercial and DIY. It's info. is practical, complete, and conveyed well to the novice and veteran DIY'er alike. Divelight construction is explained in detail following each component from cannister to light head to electronics. It even covers battery charging concept and process.

But perhaps most important is the DC includes a hefty amount of sources (WITH part numbers!) for hard to find and essential components. My original purpose in buying this book was to learn the proper method of cannister construction. I am in the process of building a DPV and the info. in the DC is very helpful. But now it looks like I'm bit with the homemade light bug and am going to have to give one a try, too.

Check it out.

WD (I promise I don't work for these guys/ladies..)

 

[Bob3]

More good places:
http://usplastic.com - plastic sheet, rod, tubing, valves, etc. Make a pee valve for cheap.

Nylon thread, tubular nylon, seam tape, soft webbing: http://www.paragear.com
Parachute hardware holds up extremely well in fresh water, I have a weight harness my rigger made, it's over 20 yrs old & all the buckles & rings are as good as new.

 

[DennisS]

For the small stuff

http://www.smallparts.com/

 

[willydiver]

Does anybody know of any suppliers of small, rotating-shaft seals? I can't find any suppliers via a Google search or anybody local?

WD