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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 21, 2017 13:19:01 GMT -8
Hello I got lucky at the local dive shop today. A man who retired was cleaning out his place prior to moving to Florida. He had been a commercial diver, or so I'm told, and brought these to the shop. Needless to say, I paid very little for these. Like Sir-Mix's-Alot says..."They toss it, and leave it...and I pull up quick to retrieve it!". Anyway, ever if they don't pass hydro and VIZ...I have a project to work on and a J-Valve Pull Rod... The tanks are US Divers, guessing late-1960's or early 1970's? I can see a readable date. I think the tank boots might be Healthways?, they sure look like the one on my HW Steel 80. The tank pack is Scuba Pro I think? Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 21, 2017 13:28:07 GMT -8
I think that when the time I get to actually dive these tanks (assuming they pass..) I am going to use my Sportsways tank pack? It would work better with a double hose reg., by being thinner and getting the reg closer to the back. In the future, I could see having a reproduction US Divers Harness made, but that will be a while down the road. I was hoping to find a set of doubles someday and these just happen to show up. I was hoping for a smaller set, like 50's or whatever, but not complaining. Here is the Sportsways pack I was talking about. vintagescuba.proboards.com/thread/4368/couple-tank-packs-got-todayMark
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 21, 2017 18:09:06 GMT -8
I have this broken down now. Was fairly easy. The manifold came apart and off easy after I found the right tools. It looks like these tanks will have their day with the tumbler, the dive shop I go to has one and the owner is a miracle worker with that thing! From what I recall about one tank that he saved for me, these don't look as bad (going by what little I could see myself...).
I will start cleaning up the manifold and see how the valve seat looks in the next few days. Right now I have the straps off the pack, and will clean them. The pack back, the bands and tank boots are being cleaned in the dishwasher now. Mark
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Post by Aquala1 on Apr 21, 2017 20:06:01 GMT -8
Nice find! I need to check with my local dive shop to see if anyone has brought in any vintage gear lately. Ever so often a widow, or children of a deceased old diver will bring in some gear and give it to the shop. The owner is a fairly compassionate guy, and even if he thinks it's junk, he'll take it anyway just to be nice. I might find a few treasures myself.
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 21, 2017 20:53:08 GMT -8
I have two shops in our area that are a down-right God send in this aspect. Not only do they "tolerate" me asking for older gear, they are pretty good with me getting parts, etc. to rebuild the things I can. I know of some shops that will throw out older gear, I guess it is their business? But I am lucky with a couple of the shops I haunt. Mark
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Post by sheriffdiver on Apr 22, 2017 5:29:30 GMT -8
Those manifolds are always a bear to get back together without leaks. I had a friend who is a machinist polish the brass with a compound to make it smooth where the manifolds connect. Try that if you have leaks.
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 23, 2017 13:23:16 GMT -8
Progress in breaking this down. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 23, 2017 16:07:06 GMT -8
Really wish the tanks were not faded like they are, but I'll worry about that after I get them checked out. Assuming they pass Hydro/VIZ I might just see if I can strip them down to the bare metal? Might repaint or if the majority of the steel is good, leave them as bare galvenized? First world problems!!! Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Apr 23, 2017 16:18:26 GMT -8
Mark, if you wish to repaint them, don't strip them! Get a sanding block and knock out the high-spots and bad areas, then use 320-grit paper, then primer: you'll want primer for any bare metal spots. I'd find some epoxy/polyurethane paint to shoot them with. Automotive paint is nice, but it's overkill. You should be able to get something good in a spray can that will take UV: UV is what makes paints fade. If you need to sand out any runs, wait a week before re-shooting. If you're patient, you can get an amazing finish with a spray can: actually profession looking! Crabby Jim, this applies to you too JB
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 23, 2017 16:48:54 GMT -8
Think I should wait until I get them Hydro/VIZ'd first? Then dive them a couple times first? I was thinking the painting might be a good Winter project for next Christmas season? It will give me time to look for a paint that is close to the US Divers Yellow. Mark
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Post by Seahuntjerry on Apr 23, 2017 17:26:05 GMT -8
The Best way to take apart is to spin the tanks off the manifold when they are on the ground. The reserve side brass cup many times is hardened by age and will not seal after you take them apart. if you have leaking you may take the brass cup out and heat it up to anneal it,other people try teflon tape and that doesn't work.
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Post by duckbill on Apr 24, 2017 7:29:10 GMT -8
The backpack and bands look identical to my 1970s Healthways backpacks. As in the doubles in my avatar.
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 24, 2017 10:01:48 GMT -8
The backpack part is the same as my Healthways single tank pack. I looked at Scubapro and Healthways cats. and they look to be the same thing, but the straps and buckle are different. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 24, 2017 15:17:46 GMT -8
I took the manifold apart and cleaned it up. Got it back together with no trouble. I will be changing the valve seat, but will wait until the tanks are checked out and it is ready to go together, this is a long term project and no hurry. I also put the Scubapro tank pack back together after I cleaned it up. I will not use that pack at first, but nice to have around. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Apr 24, 2017 15:19:41 GMT -8
Here is the reserve side apart. Is there a reserve seat that I am not aware of that might be missing?, or stuck in the manifold? Or is this it? Mark
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