V-weight on the backside?

[Dryglove]

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
Nah...they must be molded in wingnuts. Looks like you bolt the Pweight in the channel witth bolts from the backside. So I gues that you could use it with or without an STA but you wouldn't be able to use it with doubles. Right?

SA

The second weight down is strictly for single tank use. The wing nuts are molded in and bolt to my fredt 2pc STA. If you have a sta wing like the pioneer you can run the straps through the bp and weight not requiring a seperate STA.

All of the other weights bolt between the wing nuts in the channel.

 

[Dryglove]

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
Very nice! Thanks!

Tell me what is what in your first pic...looks like the top is a FredT V-weight and the next one down is his P weight. Is that right?
SA

Yep

 

[FredT]

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
Nah...they must be molded in wingnuts. Looks like you bolt the Pweight in the channel witth bolts from the backside. So I guess that you could use it with or without an STA but you wouldn't be able to use it with doubles. Right?

SA

My p-weights can be used with either singles only or with doubles and singles. The singles only version they serve as an anchor for the STA or wing retention screws. The doubles version can be used with singles too, but wing nuts are required for fastening. The drawback to the dual use version is you loose about 2 pounds of weight for the nut cavities.

I only cast to order, so either can be done.

 

[FredT]

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
Fred,

Do you cast your V-weights so that they are thinner (than the one that I showed in my 2nd pic) between the plate and the band AND with the hole drilled out so that the band bolt is swallowed? Do you cast them in such a way that the plate can be tightened down all the way to the cylinders? What sizes do you offer?

Yes, much thiner. The hole swallows a 5/16"-18 finished hex nut. The thin section is about the same thickness as the nut height, so things should all tighten up fine. The V-weights are about 10 pounds, shipped heavy for customer trimming to suit their individual weight and ballast trim requirements.

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
How are your P-weights attached? Would I have to drill a hole thru the channel? What sizes do you make? What's the heaviest P-weight that would fit in my plate?

P-weights for singles only can be attached with the STA bolts, with screws holding the wing in place or by simply threading the tank straps through the slots in a "STAless" wing installation.

P-weights for doubles are retained with screws through the spare set of holes. The plate and P-weight have have 4 nut locatons, your doubles just use two of them for bolts. No additional holes in hte plate are necessary in either case.

Singles only p-weights are about 8-9, Doubles weights are 6-7.
Probably the heaviest weight I can cast into your plate as bent would be about 20 pounds, but I'd need your plate here to do it. I'd also need the measurement from your back ridge when you have it on, and where the "v" contacts your back to maximize the lead volume in the plate.

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
I have what i believe is your second revision heavy plate...3/16" full size purchased 6/02. Here it is...

That is a second revison plate. Current shipment hardware is 3rd revison. A bit "flatter bend" larger bolt holes and longer crotch strap slot, and slot locations revised to take a couple more manufacturer's wings. First and second rev plate bends can be updated to current, slots are pretty much fixed once the plate is bent.

FT

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Fred,

when we last spoke, you offered both 12 lb (1/4") and 15 lb (3/8") backplates. I assume you still do. (?)

As an owner of one of your 12 lb plates, I'm aware that the heavy plates are not as flexible as the standard plates.

But > 30 lbs of weight is quite the load.

Stephen,

If I were in your position, before I went with both a P-weight AND a V-weight, I'd simply opt for a heavier backplate. It spreads the extra weight out flat across your back. Seems to offer the greatest stability and lowest PITA factor.

I recommend you call Fred and do a cost/efficiency review of your options. Seems to me that a heavier backplate and V-weight offers a number of advantages to you in your current circumstances.

My .02 worth.

Doc