Spring straps revisited

[critterc]

Well, to date I have about 42 dives on my fins with the galvanized shackles (all saltwater) and no rust. Also I did not add the cord and have had no problems with stretching. Dives have been both dry suit and wet suit. I use the fins in our boat cleaning business and they are holding up quiet well.

Just to clairfy I used the ss springs from McMaster-Carr, I just used the gal. shakles.

 

[pipedope]

steel is not bad on or near the ocean and will last a very long time if rinsed well and stored dry.

I like the 'pretty' factor of the stainless and the cost is not much when considered in the overall picture of my diving gear and my time.

Use what works and enjoy it!

 

[DSNORD]

Guys, I ordered some spring straps from Spring-straps.com and got them today. They are nicely made but are way too long for my 11 Rock Boot and brand new Turtles. I wear my boots all the way into the foot pocket, and the spring straps look like they need to be about 1 inch shorter to have a enough tension in them to hold the fin on, so I'm planning to send them back. I simulated wearing them at what I assumed would be the equivalent tension to the regular straps, and they dug into my heel significantly compared to the straps that came with the fins. Because the rubber ones have an extra strap above the main heel strap, I can pull them on and off in about 1 second even with a glove on. I've not tried them in the water yet, but I'm having a hard time seeing how a spring strap is going to be easier to get on and off or more comfortable than these seem to be. What gives? I'm reluctant to cut off the originals only to find that I hate the spring versions on my Turtles. I'm reluctant to grind up the mounting posts on my Atomic Liquid Blues to find that I hate springs on them too. Am I missing something here? Scott

 

[simbrooks]

I don't know if the blocks are really nessessary or not.
The closed loops on the springs are certainly secure enough.
The only observations I can make is 1) the blocks keep the limit cord from falling out of the springs, and possible entanglement hazzard.
2) the Blocks also keep the springs nicely centered, they don''t flop around. (obviously not a nessessity)

I'm into makin stuff, so I machined acetal blocks for my Turtlefins

After successfully making my spring straps for my quattros, i am now on the way to trying to make two sets for two pairs of jets. Are you saying that all i need do is mount the springs directly on the metal buckle part of the jets and use something to hold it in the centre of that buckle area? I have tried to look at the attached photos of jets that others have posted, but cant make out how you get those little blocks on the buckle, do you remove the buckle from the fin and thread things on from there? Please give as best you can a blow by blow of manufacture with these weird little buckles that jets have on them - i was ok with the quattros, that was a piece of cake, but i just cant see it with these buckles!

 

[Seabear70]

I took the quick and dirty route on my jets, but I just cut the springto ength, and used two pairs of needlenose pliers and bent the severed end into a lop I hooked on the buckle. It works for me, but there are probably better looking ways to do it.

 

[critterc]

I have been fishing and diving saltwater for about 25 years. Every anchor I have used had a galvanized shackle. Soooo to save money I am trying some 3/16 in. galvanized shackles I picked up at Ture Value. 4 was about $3.25 with tax.

Have been using my fines with the galvanzied shackles now for 5 months on the average of 8 hours a week. No rust and springs without band are holding up good.

 

[sauga]

Are you saying that all i need do is mount the springs directly on the metal buckle part of the jets and use something to hold it in the centre of that buckle area?

That's the way I did it. I used the McMaster springs and carved a couple of rubber spacers from a sanding block I picked up at Home Dump. As an added touch, I wrapped the spacers with rubber mastic tape (also from H.D.; the most expensive item of the project!)

 

[mddolson]

Are you saying that all i need do is mount the springs directly on the metal buckle part of the jets and use something to hold it in the centre of that buckle area? I have tried to look at the attached photos of jets that others have posted, but cant make out how you get those little blocks on the buckle, do you remove the buckle from the fin and thread things on from there? !

NO here's a picture of my Turtle fins and the machined blocks I made. The buckle slides into a 3/16 slot in the block.

Mike D

I'll post a drawing of the delrin block.

 

[mddolson]

I'll post a drawing of the delrin block.

Here's the spacer block I made.

I had 1" dia delrin rod so I drilled the 1/2 inch dia hole in a laithe.
You could use 1/2 x 1 inch block and drill in a drill press also.
I machined the 3/16 slots down the sides using a milling mashine. A quick and dirty way is to dill a 3/16 hole where the slots end and cut out the rest with a hack saw, then file to clean up. I added two screws at the corners and ss self tapping screws to secure the blocks so the couldn't accidentally pop/fall out.

best regards

Mike D

 

[simbrooks]

Lets just say i dont have any of those kinds of tools, so i might just give in and buy the ready made straps, will keep my spare straps for use with the shackles on another set of simple non-rubber fins Thanks for the thoughts and plans.