Why don't more companies make an 18# wing?

[tbone1004]

IIRC you have an older dss bladder with thinner material though and it is also important to remember that butyl rubber is not all enduring and if that wing has seen any exposure to chlorine and wasn't properly rinsed, it is asking for a quick death. Not defending it, but you are one of the few that have had pinch flats reported on the dss wings

 

[cool_hardware52]

Funny that you mention that because I have had 3 holes in my horseshoe wing from being pinched. I haven't used it since I got my Hog wing, about a year ago, and I've had no problems with the Hog, which is a donut.

Stuart, I know you are well aware that the ~12+ year old used DSS wing you have has a 12 mil bladder.

I also know you are well aware that we have *not* used this material in *any* DSS wing for many many years, as we found it to be too easily damaged.

I also know you are well aware that we have been using custom produced 30 mil urethanes for bladders in *all* DSS wings for about 8 years now.

Tobin

 

[stuartv]

IIRC you have an older dss bladder with thinner material though and it is also important to remember that butyl rubber is not all enduring and if that wing has seen any exposure to chlorine and wasn't properly rinsed, it is asking for a quick death. Not defending it, but you are one of the few that have had pinch flats reported on the dss wings

My post was nothing to do with DSS. It was just a comment on comparative shapes. I definitely do not think that DSS wings are especially prone to flats. But, the owner of DSS has posted here before that 95% of the repairs he does are pinch flats. So, they do happen.

My horseshoe wing is longer than many other wings. I think that length is what makes it more prone to getting pinched than the shape, per se.

I'm pretty sure mine got damaged by accidentally dropping my BP/W onto the the bench while changing tanks on a pitching boat. Not from the wing wrapping under the bottom of a tank.

 

[cool_hardware52]

My post was nothing to do with DSS. It was just a comment on comparative shapes. I definitely do not think that DSS wings are especially prone to flats. But, the owner of DSS has posted here before that 95% of the repairs he does are pinch flats. So, they do happen.

There was no need to include brands if your post concerned only shape.

It's pretty clear to everyone that is not the case.

Tobin

 

[runsongas]

Lastly, regarding the DSS Torus, note that they are the only wing in the industry (that I know of, anyway) that does not have a zipper to let you get to the bladder in case you need to do a field repair on it.

the old halcyon pioneer wings and the apeks wtx3 are also one piece wings

 

[cool_hardware52]

the old halcyon pioneer wings and the apeks wtx3 are also one piece wings

As are the vast majority of jacket / vest BC's

Zippers in wings are often, but not always, a result of "split" manufacturing. The RF welded bladders are produced by an RF welding specialist and the sewn outer shells are produced by a "Cut and sew" shop.

The Zipper allows for these goods to be assembled after each is finished.

The reality is wings are produced in much smaller volumes than conventional BC's. Being able to source the bladder separately from the shells can be an advantage for goods produced in modest volumes. Each approach has it's pros and cons.

DSS, unlike most brands, actually produces nearly all the goods we offer in house. We do all of our our RF welding, and sewing. That's key to producing "Zipperless" wings with internal bladders. It's not all that simple to assemble these. It requires substantial skill sew close a wing with a bladder inside without sewing through the bladder.

Tobin