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Post by diverdon on Feb 6, 2016 20:10:44 GMT -8
My first DA has received a few upgrades, an HPR, some new hoses, valves and a DBR, a new diaphragm and a rebuild kit. It has the LP adapter and I've used it several times with my drysuit. On deep dives and in 36 degree water. I must say I like it. Its' an early model that has no serial number which puts it right about '59 and it still works great. But I found another with an even nicer looking label that I haven't had the chance to test yet, but I did get her out in the sunlight for a few pics. I hope to have her in good working order with new hoses and a rebuild in her by summer. I doubt I'll supe her up like the last one but I do want to dive her once or twice. What so you think? Perty, huh?  I know JB has a thing for service stickers so I thought he'd like this shot:  The hoses have taken a set so I'll be visiting the store soon for some new ones. But she looks good enough for display until then.  Don't you guys just love winter projects? DD Thread for the first: vintagescuba.proboards.com/thread/3387/divers-da-aquamaster?page=1 |
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Post by SeaRat on Feb 6, 2016 21:37:22 GMT -8
DD, if that is a USD hose/mouthpiece, it is very, very old and worth saving. It looks to either be Healthways, or the USD DA Aqualung hoses.
John
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Post by diverdon on Feb 7, 2016 4:22:27 GMT -8
Hey John, thanks for mentioning that. The hose mouthpiece does not have any markings and does look like a Healthways, but weren't they all marked? What mouthpieces manufactured back then did not have their makers mark? I'll probably keep these to display with the reg once I'm done playing with it. I could try her out with one of my HP mouthpiece/hose set  Thanks for planting that seed, John! DD |
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Post by luis on Feb 7, 2016 5:48:34 GMT -8
From the pictures, those look like spiral hoses, which they naturally tend to be stiff and take a set.
US Divers never offered spiral hoses. They are probably either Dacor or Healthways. The mouthpiece also looks like a Dacor, but I am not sure.
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 7, 2016 8:30:13 GMT -8
Hmmmm, I'm wondering if Luis is right about Dacor? My reasoning is that they look either too short, or too long to be HW's: if you've ever seen the movie "The Monster that Challenged the World" you'll see what I'm talking about. HW had some crazy long hoses that if remember right, stretched to 63-inches!
JB
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Post by diverdon on Feb 7, 2016 9:22:24 GMT -8
This one does look like my Sportsways hose & mouthpiece. I'll measure them and take side by side photos later.
DD
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Post by SeaRat on Feb 7, 2016 13:29:15 GMT -8
DD,
The reason I mentioned that these may be original USD hoses off a DA Aqualung regulator is that they look very much like those inthe Couriers' book, dive, the complete book of skin diving, first edition. I will try to scan some photos later. Does the mouthpiece have non-return valves in it?
John
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Post by diverdon on Feb 7, 2016 14:54:56 GMT -8
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 7, 2016 15:36:00 GMT -8
Ahhhh-man, you totally stink!  Gosh, you never OEM scuba gear, it's usually all crapped out, oxidized, and ready for the shelf, cuz it will never see water again, but very cool buddy! JB |
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 7, 2016 15:37:31 GMT -8
BTW I've heard those water Lungs are dangerous, you'd better give it to me, for safety reasons mind you...
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Post by diverdon on Feb 7, 2016 16:19:00 GMT -8
Thanks for thinking of me bud I'll try to be safe with it though. If you wanna borrow it I got no problem with tgat. C'Mon over! DD |
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Post by surflung on Feb 8, 2016 8:31:33 GMT -8
Congratulations on that new regulator Don. I saw that when it was up for sale and noticed it is an especially nice one. BTW - First dive of Spring is scheduled at Fortune Pond for May 6-7th. The Deep Sixers and our MN Vintage group will be there... I hope to see you, too!
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Post by diverdon on Feb 8, 2016 9:17:44 GMT -8
You bet! Mothers Day weekend might be a tough sell, but I'll do my best to be there. Shipping on that package was under $50 too. Hard to believe considering it came from Cali. I liked that reg, the fins and the tank checker, but the rest is going right back on fleebay to offset the cost I just need to find a Voit like that... DD |
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Post by diverdon on Feb 8, 2016 18:47:49 GMT -8
I opened up the reg for a quick peek and was pleased to see a very well kept regulator. The duckbill was shot but that was to be expected, and well as the hoses. One had a split that had gone unnoticed initially. The hose and mouthpiece will probably go on another reg for display as I want to put yellow hoses and mouthpiece on this one. I believe it is early enough to be technically correct in that configuration. I will also be replacing the c-clips (as I find them to be a real PITA) with a ring. I guess I need to order the rebuild kit a duckbill and hooka adapter from VDH. I will try to keep it as close to stock as possible. Here are a couple quick pics:  
I don't recall seeing a hole in the can under the label before..? I love the patina these things develope |
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Thanks for planting that seed, John!
Gosh, you never OEM scuba gear, it's usually all crapped out, oxidized, and ready for the shelf, cuz it will never see water again, but very cool buddy!
