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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 16, 2017 14:43:41 GMT -8
I was at the right time and place and stumbled into this one today... Looks like i have restoration project for Winter 2017-1018? Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 16, 2017 15:03:45 GMT -8
You're a better man than I 'cause I'd be digging into that thing as soon as I got it home! Congrats buuudy! JB
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Post by vance on Jun 16, 2017 15:53:22 GMT -8
Kewl find! Congrats!
I use a pair of small vice grips with the teeth ground off so they don't chew up the clips. I take them off carefully avoiding any damage to them or the cans, and put them safely in a sandwich bag.
Then I throw them in the trash! Begone foul things!
The case ring sold at VDH or TheScubaMuseum is a beautiful item. You will be so happy to have that instead of those @#$%^ clips!
OK, save the clips. You might want to sell to a purist someday....
Noice! Be sure to post pics of the rebuild, please!
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Post by vance on Jun 16, 2017 16:00:05 GMT -8
You're a better man than I 'cause I'd be digging into that thing as soon as I got it home! Congrats buuudy! JB This almost always describes me. Oddly, I'm sitting at my desk staring at a pretty sweet DA Aquamaster I have had for over a year. I've removed the clips, taken the bottom can off, cleaned out the rotted duckbill, and.... nothing. It sits there. I bought a case ring for it, but they always seem to get stolen and put on a Mistral. It has another new one on it right now, but it's going to another Mistral. Poor thing. I just don't seem to care about it.....
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 16, 2017 17:02:51 GMT -8
Okay, Mark, You may have a much better find than you think. All the DA Aqualung regulators I know of have the low pressure elbow pointed in the opposite direction, with the low pressure valve venting the air at the box opposite the intake horn. It looks like this: Note the elbow is away from the intake horn. I have a photo I copied from the E-Bay which shows your configuration: I am very interested in the type of valving you see on the inside. When you get the boxes apart, if you could take a photo of how it is set up before you do anything to it, I would appreciate it. There may have been an intermediate phase to the development of the Aquamaster, and you may actually have just gotten ahold of it. Congratulations! John
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 16, 2017 20:04:19 GMT -8
When I saw this in a used scuba gear bin at an area shop, I saw the $20 (as is) tag on it...I knew it was coming home with me. I know a decent deal when I see it. I was not planning on getting another US Divers double hose today, or any time soon for that matter but there it was. I had been looking at the two-stage US Divers regs, but thought I'd have to wait till I have better cash flow? Honestly I was planning on looking for a Healthways Deluxe SCUBA or Gold Label SCUBA for my next double hose restoration project.
I need to take apart my Healthways SCUBA and see what is up? I dove it yesterday and really could tell a loss of air flow for some dumb reason. Yes, I have the stock mouthpiece and they are supposed to be a death trap, but I've dove it before and it was a decent breather. This time was different, thinking I might have to look at the lever and adjust it?
Once I get that sussed out, I'll look into this DA Navy Approved. I know the duckbill is long gone, as in removed and not there, not all dried up and stuck to the box. All the clips are there (seven), but they have been put back on just enough to stay on the rim and not fall off, I can slide them around. I will replace them with a ring from Scuba Museum but keep the clips, just like my Mistral.
I think there might be a useable diaphragm inside? I will know more later. How tough are parts like the High Pressure Seat, etc. to find for these? I know hoses, mouthpieces, duckbill etc. are being made and are no problem. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 16, 2017 21:48:20 GMT -8
OK, everything I've tried to research online about the DA Navy Approved reg., this one is circa 1957-ish? How long was this in production? If I have this correct, this particular DA was only in production from around 1957 and 1958-ish? I have seen one listed as a "DA Navy Type" which is a different nomenclature than this one. I'm guessing this one was replaced by the DA Aqua-Master?
Also, getting way ahead of things, if i have it correct, this came with a straight black mouthpiece and black hoses? I have also seen the DA Navy Approved with a blue label, where mine has (or had at one time) a yellow label, sort of like my Mistral.
Anyway, I am still in shock I found this one for $25... I found one without hoses and in just a bit more worn shape at a certain vintage dive site for about $150 more... Know a good deal when I see it!!! Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 17, 2017 7:57:14 GMT -8
Mark, you have the rare cheddar-label, whereas most have the Gorgonzola--sorry, I couldn't resist JB
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2017 8:04:16 GMT -8
You're a better man than I 'cause I'd be digging into that thing as soon as I got it home! Congrats buuudy! JB This almost always describes me. Oddly, I'm sitting at my desk staring at a pretty sweet DA Aquamaster I have had for over a year. I've removed the clips, taken the bottom can off, cleaned out the rotted duckbill, and.... nothing. It sits there. I bought a case ring for it, but they always seem to get stolen and put on a Mistral. It has another new one on it right now, but it's going to another Mistral. Poor thing. I just don't seem to care about it..... Yeah, I had one like that. Pristine, never been in water as far as I know. Bought it from a truck driver who was down on his luck (also a C3). He stated his late father owned a dive shop and kept the DA on a store display shelf. It sat on my closet shelf for 10 years before I decided to sell it.........finally sold it to a Italian who professed to be a professional diver.........he complained after he received it that it was bent and the duckbill was too short..(the duckbill came from Dan's at VSS and was the same length as all I have ever seen), I asked for photos and the bent part he raved at me about was the valve side where the can is beveled. Not too sure this guy was who he said he was. But he did pay what I asked............
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Post by vance on Jun 17, 2017 16:26:17 GMT -8
Mark, you have the rare cheddar-label, whereas most have the Gorgonzola--sorry, I couldn't resist JB I'd go with American or Velveeta, but what do I know about cheese regulators?
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 17, 2017 20:03:19 GMT -8
Is there any detailed topic on the timeline of US Divers Double Hose regs. on this forum that I have missed? Mark
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Post by Aquala1 on Jun 18, 2017 20:33:25 GMT -8
I haven't seen one here, but there's a good one on VDH.
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 18, 2017 22:04:18 GMT -8
I have lurked around there a bit and saw a few things of interest. Also a chart that was helpful in what years had what colour hoses/mouthpieces, etc. I was hoping to find more on here though. I'll check out the other site in the meantime. Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 19, 2017 21:25:27 GMT -8
Anyone have any ideas on how to get the "spring block" (plate directly under the sintered filter in the first stage nozzle) out? Oh, forgot to say, this is corroded and getting the filter out took some effort.
Is this thing just held in by friction or is it normally "loose" and that six decades have used their influence to make it stay in with super grip?
Anyway...I have hit a hurdle with this part.
Also, the "valve body" does that have to come out? I have everything out of it, but not sure how to get it out and wondering if it really needs to come out? Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 19, 2017 22:18:31 GMT -8
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