Tank vise?

[tbone1004]

@The Chairman has a nifty setup in his garage. I can't remember where the pictures are on here, but they're around somewhere. If he's in a good mood he may know where it is and link it in here

 

[chris kippax]

What about an STA? The flat of the sta will stop it rotating in the vice.

 

[Namreg 58]

Find a quiet street or rear to kerb parking lot and place the tank in the gutter, then back your rear tire against the tank and you're good to go.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Too historical for modern divers

Moderators KMAG YOYO
sdm

 

[W W Meixner]

I have a “few” tanks that I take care of myself along with a few friends. I’m looking for ideas on a inexpensive home built tank vise in order to remove and torque back cylinder valves. The sizes vary from 6cuft to 120.

Let’s see what you guys have ?

Bob...

The shop where I worked for seven years had a modified (vertically mounted) Ridgid chain pipe vise...a piece of rubber belting was used as a softener between the cylinder and the chain...I have also seen many ''strap'' versions of the same thing...

For home use a small saw horse...with a six inch wide top...and two ratcheting tie down straps works very well...

For my own cylinders...''hand tight'' has always been sufficient...even 3442 HP cylinders...doubles included...remember...this is an''O'' ring seal...not a thread seal...makes emergency field valve changing a lot easier...

Best...

Warren

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

@Johnoly
I suspect the method used by me and many others in the genesis is a brighter red. So much of our equipment was adapted from existing items , home made (see "the Mask" ) or improvised

Originally all the valves were all 1/2 pipe thread , the O ring seal did not appear until Sportsways (Later Waterlung) introduced them to diving in the early 1960s.

The 1/2 valve required and very substantial vise to secure the tank in order remove the value

The components were a length of old well used fire hose an automobile and a Crescent wrench

The procedure was a follows
roll out the fire hose flat
lay the tank on the fire hose
fold the bitter end back over the tank
drive the automobile over the fire hose forming a wedged vise
Remove valve with Crescent wrench

If required get out he metal stamp kit and hydro the tank

It should be noted the valves were seldom removed until John Gaffney and NASDS created the VIP Program in 1967- which was accidentally created when a SCUBA tank exploded and blew Bob Whitehead through a shop wall and broke his leg.

The valves were removed for the following reason;
When the valve were damaged
When the tank "swished" when shook = water in tank
When the tank rattled = rust in tank
When the tank was turned upside down the valve opened on a piece of paper and it became saturated with oil= bad fill from faulty compressor

And that wuzz the way it wuzzzz in the beginning of recreational diving,

Sam

Cc
@Scuba Lawyer -- bring back memories of days gone by ?

Amazing timing Sam! A little off-topic, but related. I am currently in process of overhauling a 1959 NIB USD 1/2" npt tapered manifold/valve to put on the set of 1941 and 1942 USN tanks repurposed for scuba sometime back in the 50's. The high pressure reducer bushings are still being made and I picked up some the other day. Had to get a 1 3/8" socket with a 3/4" drive to remove the bushings (and using a 6' breaker bar). Going to use the car tire/curb/wedge method like in the old days to install the bushings and threaded manifold. Here are a few pics of the parts as the project comes together. The photo of the tanks are "as found" and I am replacing the old manifold with my new "old" one. I'll post pics of the finished project once done. Going to tumble the other tank today and hydro this week. Another exciting project in scuba-land. Mark

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[W W Meixner]

Amazing timing Sam! A little off-topic, but related. I am currently in process of overhauling a 1959 NIB USD 1/2" npt tapered manifold/valve to put on the set of 1941 and 1942 USN tanks repurposed for scuba sometime back in the 50's. The high pressure reducer bushings are still being made and I picked up some the other day. Had to get a 1 3/8" socket with a 3/4" drive to remove the bushings (and using a 6' breaker bar). Going to use the car tire/curb/wedge method like in the old days to install the bushings and threaded manifold. Here are a few pics of the parts as the project comes together. The photo of the tanks are "as found" and I am replacing the old manifold with my new "old" one. I'll post pics of the finished project once done. Going to tumble the other tank today and hydro this week. Another exciting project in scuba-land. Mark

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SL...

Very cool...1800 PSI US Navy...likely oxygen service...air craft...medical...??

Mine are 1950/51 vintage 1800 PSI service...medical oxygen...US Diver's manifold is 1957...

Great Project...

Best...

Warren

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

SL...

Very cool...1800 PSI US Navy...likely oxygen service...air craft...medical...??

Nice trips! As far as my USN tanks go I have been informed (but don't know if true or not) that these tanks were used in either shooting out, or recalling in, the cables that went across the deck of an aircraft carrier to catch the tail hooks on landing aircraft. Again, zero knowledge if this is accurate, but I have heard it from several independent sources - none of which I hold in particularly high regard for veracity. I would love to get the real story. Mark

 

[W W Meixner]

Nice trips! As far as my USN tanks go I have been informed (but don't know if true or not) that these tanks were used in either shooting out, or recalling in, the cables that went across the deck of an aircraft carrier to catch the tail hooks on landing aircraft. Again, zero knowledge if this is accurate, but I have heard it from several independent sources - none of which I hold in particularly high regard for veracity. I would love to get the real story. Mark

Mark...

Sam may have some information on ALFCO...may give some indication on designed purpose...

They're a nice size...90/95 cu ft doubled up...

I'd like to double up a couple pair of new 3AL 50s...but with 6 7/8'' OD...there are no commercially made bands available...

Looking forward to seeing your finished product...

Best...

Warren

 

[rhwestfall]

@W W Meixner : there are 6.9" bands....

6.9" NESS Tank Bands For Old 72's

You can also add a rubber friction pad like the ones that were part of the old Military 100's.....

(with the new Faber LP85's being 6.9", there are now modern bands)

YMMV