Small tank question / solicitation

[8dust]

Howdy there,

I'm not too familiar with some of the standard smaller tank sizes.

Not looking to do any cave/deep diving, but rather, trying to put the finishing touches on a rig I've been getting together for my Son. He's a real little guy at the moment and as such, a steel 72 is even a bit too much.

I've seen an AL 50 once, and a pair of ST 38's, but what else is out there?
Is there a 64? Been thinking about it as kinda of a retro/vintage project, 'cause once he bulks up a bit, they may become hand-me-downs for Dad, so a set of doubles I could break up temp. would be fine, maybe better. A random single would be great too.

So, wondering what is out there? and does anybody have something they would like to sell for a good cause?

Easy on the turkey tomorrow & a happy Thanksgiving to all!

Fred

 

[DCBC]

Luxfer makes a 63 cu.ft. that may suit him. Scuba Tank - Black Luxfer 63 cu ft Aluminum - Scuba Cylinder

 

[WD8CDH]

An Aluminum 63 is about as big as a vintage steel 72. Faber makes a HP72 (FX71) that is noticably smaller and lighter than the older vintage 72s:
Scuba.com Mobile - Faber 71 Cubic Foot High Pressure Steel Tank FX Series FX71DVB with reviews
A pair would make great doubles later.

If you want smaller, there is the LP45 from OMS OMS Low Pressure Steel Scuba Cylinders Specifications http://www.OMSdive.com

Or an AL 50, AL45, AL40 or AL30.
Catalina Aluminum Scuba Cylinder Specifications - Imperial

I regularly dive double AL40s and AL30s. When I need more air, I don't go to bigger tanks, I go to triples.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

My son started diving around age 12 and I broke up two sets of steel 50's for him. They were 6.9" in diamter, but only about 18" long and fairly lightweight and made ideal tanks for him till he outgrew them. I had a line of parents wanting them/waiting for them like vultures until he outgrew them and I sold them.

Faber, PST or Worthington 45's are worth considering (OMS has sold both Faber 45's and Worthington 45's). They are also short (about the lenght of an AL 30) and only 5.5" in diameter. If I recall they weigh in the mid to upper 20's with reg attached.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Have you looked at the Aluminum 40s that are being used as pony bottles? I have long been thinking of putting together a set of these as doubles. I had a similar pair (which were twin 42s of steel, old 20 man life raft bottles) that I really loved to use. They are a bit longer than the AL 50s, but narrower. They could be set up with a double manifold and used with a double hose regulator if you wished later. You'd have to have bands made for them, and a harness (the old-style military harness is now available by special order from one supplier here on the Vintage Diving site).

I may still do that, and I have an idea of how to use them without a twin manifold; simply use my Scubapro AIR 1 regulator off two first stages, one on each tank. The Scubapro AIR 1 regulator second stage has provisions for using the LP hose connection on either the right or left side, or using both sides off two different first stages. This regulator is sometimes available on e-bay, but not right now (from my check this morning).

Anyway, good luck, and I'm wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

SeaRat

 

[Slonda828]

You could also break up a set of twin 38 cubic foot steel tanks for your son. Alternately, if you are diving shallow and do not need much gas, you could use an older "Medical E" type oxygen bottle. I got one for 20 bucks on ebay. At 2015 PSI, it hold 26 cubic feet of gas, is generally neutral, and has a dry weight of 14 lbs. It is like a pony bottle for most people, but your son could use that. Be aware that it is 1/2" tapered thread, so you would have to use a vintage valve in it. A lufxer aluminum 30 or 40 wouldn't be bad either, but they cost as much as a dog-gone aluminum 80.

 

[WD8CDH]

The medical E would probably be too long for a child. It's a little longer than an old 72.

How old is your son and how tall is he?

 

[Nemrod]

I was very young when I started diving also, a steel 72 would hit me in the calves, I think we had some steel 38s and 50s. An aluminum 50 should work for him. In fact, I have a set that was doubled but I broke them apart and now dive them as singles for casual diving aboard the SS Nemrod. N

 

[DaleC]

I have an idea of how to use them without a twin manifold; simply use my Scubapro AIR 1 regulator off two first stages, one on each tank. The Scubapro AIR 1 regulator second stage has provisions for using the LP hose connection on either the right or left side, or using both sides off two different first stages.

Slight hijack but you've tweeked my curiosity. Is this true that one can rig a singlehose reg that way? I have a modern Scubapro Reg that has left/right female LP hose ports. I think the seat and levers are only set to one side at a time though aren't they? I've seen the Air one though (Darth Vader) Is it different in some way?

 

[rstofer]

I bought some Al 50s for my grandson when he got certified about a year ago at age 10. But he's a pretty big kid - 5'6" (or more) 135# (now).

I put a pair of Al 50s on a vintage manifold so I could use them with my DH regs. Then I decided the assembly was too heavy for me (old age) and I broke it down.

I also use the 50s in the pool with an OxyCheq UltraLite Travel Plate
OxyCheq Ultra Lite Back Plate reviews and discounts, OxyCheq

Since the tanks swing between +2 and -2# of buoyancy, no additional weight is necessary although I did add a couple of pounds to the belt.

Richard