Trimming a drysuit neck or wrist seal

[Kennyscot]

What are the general guidelines to trimming a new neck or wrist seal. What to look for and what not to do. Help!!!

 

[H2Andy]

try this DUI guide

http://www.dui-online.com/how_to_trim.htm

they recommend scissors, but i have heard that an exacto knife is the way to
go to prevent knicks and cuts on the seal... you want a smooth, flawless cut

 

[karstdvr]

Very sharp scissors,especially something surgical in nature. Once you cut the seal,go around the perimeter pulling it apart in 1 inch segments,and lock for nicks,these are where tears will start from. Where you have a nick,cut it very carefully until it is smooth. I have seen people lose control of an xacto knife,and cut the seal uneven.

 

[ABQdiver]

I have found that if you put something inside the seal that will stretch it and then using a very sharp knife, roll the insert with the suit around it, holding the knife in basically the same spot. You will need at least another set of hands and eyes, and advanced warning when the start point is coming up so that the cuts will meet and not get nicks or tags in the cut.

Go slowly and only take a line off each time. You can't add them back.......

 

[dbg40]

I just did my new seals. Shoved a big can of crushed tomatoes into the neck seal, and cut around it with a sharp mat knife blade. Then put the cuff seals on a cutting board, and put the end of the can down where I wanted to cut the seals, pressed down on the can, and cut around the bottom of the can. Perfect radious, perfect cuts. Took about 5 min.

 

[DivingCRNA]

I used a new, sharp scissors and followed the lines with the seal flat. You have to cut in an arc to get the seal to come out right. Airspeed press recommends making cones out of paper and practicing on them to get a handle on cutting the arc just right.