|
Post by tomcatpc on Sept 30, 2016 14:40:13 GMT -8
This is the almost complete (need hose clamps) Healthways SCUBA that I got this Summer for $10. This one was basically a "bag-o-reg." I had to get new hoses, mouthpiece valves, diaphragm, body gasket.etc. Also had to locate mouthpiece valve cages, and fabricate an exhaust (which still stands to see if it works underwater). Got the last parts a couple days ago and put it all together and put it on a tank and it works. It works above sea-level, we will see how it does underwater, but it is a step in the right direction. Considering how it looked when I got it, it has come a long way. Mark I think I need to find a correct band screw/nut set some day. This one is clearly a replacement, but works just fine for now. Save
|
|
|
Post by diverdon on Sept 30, 2016 14:44:19 GMT -8
Bravo, Mark! Can't wait to see the underwater pics. You guys are still diving down there, aren't you?
DD
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Sept 30, 2016 14:59:52 GMT -8
Bravo... encore, encore, keep up the good work lad, eh-wot!
JB
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on Sept 30, 2016 19:08:05 GMT -8
Yes, we are still diving...just not me for the last week and half. Been sick and going to wait for a while yet until I go back. Not sure when I'll get photos, as I don't have a underwater camera of my own, but sometimes dive with people who do.
I also need to test dive my AMF/Voit Swimaster MR-12 as well next time I dive...
I shared this photo on Facebook and already have had one diver say they would stick with modern gear...too bad they miss out on a lot. Mark
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Sept 30, 2016 19:22:30 GMT -8
I shared this photo on Facebook and already have had one diver say they would stick with modern gear... Brah-kaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on Sept 30, 2016 20:31:07 GMT -8
Exactly what I thought... The person who said this is a fairly "extreme" diver, but is he scared of being 30 foot underwater with a rebuild old reg.? I get the impression that some people think we just find these and knock the dust off and dive them without replacing worn part? Mark
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on Sept 30, 2016 22:26:04 GMT -8
Some time over the Winter, I'd like to find a Healthways 72 tank to use with my Healthways regs. I do have a HW tank, but it is the long steel 80 and want to locate a 72 sometime.
I have a late 60's era HW "Scubapak" backpack for it that I got from a member on here last year. This is fine for single hoses, but want to find something to get the reg. closer to my back.
Are the HW packs that are fairly "flat" difficult to find? I think they have two stainless bands that cross over in the back?
Another option I'm thinking of is having a canvas harness and set of tank bands made for a tank. They are not that spendy and can be made in HW Turquoise Blue as well.
Anyway, looking to get this underwater. Mark
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 1, 2016 7:07:08 GMT -8
I get the impression that some people think we just find these and knock the dust off and dive them without replacing worn part? Mark Well gee-whiz Mark, that's what I do: you'd be surprised at how long the hoses worked on my Divair: As long as I don't go past three feet, my home made duck-tape hoses work for, maybe five minutes! That's five minutes of high adventure son, don't knock it JB
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on Oct 23, 2016 13:51:09 GMT -8
I finally got to take this underwater this afternoon. Flawless...no hitches. The exhaust made from a rubber glove worked just fine. I was scared the reg would flood on me...I hadn't need worry, no such thing happened.
I dove it twice, both with partial tanks that both had 1000 PSI. Lasted about 15-20 mins each tank and the restrictor kicked in about 5-600, pulled the J-Valve and started up. With a non-hurried surface, safety stop and exit, both tanks had around 400 remaining. I can deal with that...
I had it set up "stock, standard, etc.". I did not make the air deflector, or rotate the valve body/levers, had the standard Healthways mouthpiece with 1" valves...I had no trouble at all. I'm fine with the way it is. I don't have to even mess with the levers.
My only regrets is that I did not get this earlier in the season and wished I had had more air with me... Mark
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Oct 23, 2016 14:12:20 GMT -8
Huzzah--three cheers and a tiger for you! Nice work buddy, and a hardy congratulations to you fine sir JB
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Oct 23, 2016 15:02:43 GMT -8
I finally got to take this underwater this afternoon. Flawless...no hitches. The exhaust made from a rubber glove worked just fine. I was scared the reg would flood on me...I hadn't need worry, no such thing happened. I dove it twice, both with partial tanks that both had 1000 PSI. Lasted about 15-20 mins each tank and the restrictor kicked in about 5-600, pulled the J-Valve and started up. With a non-hurried surface, safety stop and exit, both tanks had around 400 remaining. I can deal with that... I had it set up "stock, standard, etc.". I did not make the air deflector, or rotate the valve body/levers, had the standard Healthways mouthpiece with 1" valves...I had no trouble at all. I'm fine with the way it is. I don't have to even mess with the levers. My only regrets is that I did not get this earlier in the season and wished I had had more air with me... Mark I told you that you'd be pleasantly surprised by this regulator. This is why I chose it over a USD Mistral as my first regulator as a kid. Here's a narrative about one of my first, and very memorable, dives as a 14 year-old. John
|
|
|
Post by vance on Oct 23, 2016 17:54:27 GMT -8
I finally got to take this underwater this afternoon. Flawless...no hitches. The exhaust made from a rubber glove worked just fine. I was scared the reg would flood on me...I hadn't need worry, no such thing happened. I dove it twice, both with partial tanks that both had 1000 PSI. Lasted about 15-20 mins each tank and the restrictor kicked in about 5-600, pulled the J-Valve and started up. With a non-hurried surface, safety stop and exit, both tanks had around 400 remaining. I can deal with that... I had it set up "stock, standard, etc.". I did not make the air deflector, or rotate the valve body/levers, had the standard Healthways mouthpiece with 1" valves...I had no trouble at all. I'm fine with the way it is. I don't have to even mess with the levers. My only regrets is that I did not get this earlier in the season and wished I had had more air with me... Mark Kewl! I'll be trying mine out soon with the bicycle tube duckbill mod, IF my tank ever gets back to the LDS. Sheeite. 3 weeks....
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on Oct 23, 2016 19:51:01 GMT -8
I also dove my Healthways Scubair as well today. It dove just fine, but breathed a bit wet. Nothing to freak out about, just a bit of a seep, but enough that I am going to looking into swapping the exhaust valves later on. That might be a Winter project.
Back to the SCUBA... I guess I was prejudiced in hearing from others "just how bad these "things" breath", esp. with the stock Healthways hoses and (non Hope-Page) mouthpiece. That was not my experience today. I got enough air and did not notice anything sub-par (shoot me...I just used a golf term, makes me feel old LOL). I was really concerned about the exhaust and that turned into a non-issue as well.
Granted, I think my US Divers Mistral might be a bit easier to breath at times...but until I have them side by side I really can't see too much difference. I do think that for someone's first double hose rebuild, the SCUBA might not be the first choice, but given help and direction I don't think it's a bad choice. Then again, I'm still a new diver and really don't have the experience to say much more than that.
I do know that I'm looking forward to next Summer and diving this again. I might get it in the water this year, but that is yet to be seen. It was a good day today, but I feel the chill in the air and the water is not getting warmer. My long term plans for this reg, and other Healthways Double Hose Regs (really wanting a Gold Label soon!!!) is to invest in a reproduction cotton webbing harness in HW Turquoise blue. I do have a set of bands for a 72 single tank, also might look for another HW Tank. But right now just glad this one worked out. Mark
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on May 17, 2017 20:08:16 GMT -8
I took my SCUBA back under this evening for a 25 minute dive. No problems to report. Had a great dive. Mark Save
|
|
|
Post by tomcatpc on Jul 5, 2018 17:55:41 GMT -8
Once again, the SCUBA took a dip and performed just great! Even better with the "SnorkleJet" upgrade! Mark
|
|