titanium backplate
- Thread starter Linemandiver
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Doctor Rig
Contributor
Love your DIY effort! I don’t remember seeing it, but thickness/guage titanium did you use?
tech_diver
Contributor
I worked for a tech manufacturer years ago that did a run of TI backplates but they never really pursued it. I ended up with one. It's slotted like a standard BP.
The weight falls right between AL and steel so it doesn't have the advantage of being extra light nor the advantage of taking lead off the belt. The price would have been 2-3 times that of steel. It didn't seem to have much potential as a retail product.
But I do use it. It's so cool using the same back plate that Batman would use
The weight falls right between AL and steel so it doesn't have the advantage of being extra light nor the advantage of taking lead off the belt. The price would have been 2-3 times that of steel. It didn't seem to have much potential as a retail product.
But I do use it. It's so cool using the same back plate that Batman would use
Carlos Danger
Contributor
It is not so much about the weight for me, but the distribution of the weight,
I have a full XR system w/ their aluminum backplate as well as a full Helium system. I prefer the Helium for a number of reasons; one of which being that the use of titanium for the plate allows for a thinner 2mm thickness, which just simply feels better to me. Also, the slot placements on the Helium are much better optimized to provide for the fitment and tank position that works best for my body. The Helium just fits me better, feels more balanced, and I am no longer limited in tank position as I was on the XR.
Anyone interested in a low-mileage XR system?
I got the signature helium plate and it’s weight is similiar to my aluminum plate. I believe there are 2 reasons to go titanium: titanium is extremely corrosion resistant and it’s just cool to say I have titanium.
As a machinist I will say I am impressed that helium ran a corner rounding end mill around every edge, thats a nice touch and a lot of work.
When I run out of other projects I’m gonna fire up my co2 laser and use it to ano something cool into it.
Thanks @DiveTucson / Paragon.
Phil111
Contributor
I have three titanium backplates. One I finished myself from a blank bought from a guy in Ontario who used to sell them about 15 years ago. The other two I bought off e-bay from Chinese sellers. The last one cost $140 USD postpaid. This is an example Lightweight High-Strength Diving Backplate Dive Back Plate Accessories
If you read the description it says its "Aluminum" yet in the description below that it lists it as "titanium alloy". This isn't the seller I bought from. But he is likely related to the other e-bay seller because the description is very similar. i.e. confusing. The images are identical to the ones I bought.
One of the two e-bay ones ($150 postpaid) was natural titanium. While the second $140 one was green anodized. . They were from different sellers and bought about two years apart. Both of the Chinese ones were very well made fully deburred, standard pattern, 2mm, with quick shipping. I wouldn't buy from China right now because until Covid travel restrictions end shipping from China is completely unreliable. Pre covid delivery was two weeks so it came by air.
If you read the description it says its "Aluminum" yet in the description below that it lists it as "titanium alloy". This isn't the seller I bought from. But he is likely related to the other e-bay seller because the description is very similar. i.e. confusing. The images are identical to the ones I bought.
One of the two e-bay ones ($150 postpaid) was natural titanium. While the second $140 one was green anodized. . They were from different sellers and bought about two years apart. Both of the Chinese ones were very well made fully deburred, standard pattern, 2mm, with quick shipping. I wouldn't buy from China right now because until Covid travel restrictions end shipping from China is completely unreliable. Pre covid delivery was two weeks so it came by air.
eelnoraa
Contributor
Phil111
Contributor
Pretty easy to tell. Metal is non-magnetic, hard and the light weight is immediately noticeable.Al is also very soft. When you have double 130's the bolt threads holding the tanks will bite into the soft aluminum leaving marks. Of course they don't rust. I've also had stainless and aluminum backplates. I also prefer titanium dive knives. Stainless ones will always rust. My Ti knives are all from e-bay as well with the average purchase price about $20 used.
davecampbell
Contributor
eelnoraa
Contributor
One real question, since I am always travel my son, luggage weight is an issue. I am trying reduce weight. I wonder if AL STA will be strong enough. They are like $25, almost 1/3 the weight of SS, almost half the weight of Ti. Total weight saving from SS to Al is almost 0.8lb. but will it bend with tank attached?
As for Ti STA I just check AliExpress. They are like $36 shipped from China. If I were to get Ti, might as well buy Helium dive at $49 shipped. But Ti doesn’t offer much eight saving as Al.
As for Ti STA I just check AliExpress. They are like $36 shipped from China. If I were to get Ti, might as well buy Helium dive at $49 shipped. But Ti doesn’t offer much eight saving as Al.
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