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Post by Tusker on Aug 14, 2023 3:36:22 GMT -8
James, thanks! John's recommendation was in my mind when I came across this one at an antique mall. It's a little beat up and has some holes, but I consider that drainage.
JB, that's the one! Your legs and sleeves are long enough though.
As an aside, I found a pair of Churchill's on eBay this morning. I'll report back as to how they fit.
Jacob
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Post by Tusker on Aug 14, 2023 16:06:54 GMT -8
It's been good day! A pair of UDTs popped up for a good price that looked to be in good shape. Will update once they arrive.
I'm nearly set to be able to—loosely—cover a period of about 1963-1977. The thing bothering me the most, outside of the wetsuit's texture, is the depth gauge. Right now I'm using a USD Nemo, but a Calypso would be the ideal thing — it would work from 1961 into the 70s. Anyone have one they don't need? I'm not worried about the condition of the strap, I can source replacement springbars and a new Tropic strap, just that it is in good visual condition and working.
Jacob
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 14, 2023 17:11:27 GMT -8
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Post by Tusker on Aug 14, 2023 17:23:22 GMT -8
JB, I know, I know. I'm specifically after one of the black dialed versions. The reason I am somewhat pressed towards finding one of these is that I'm anticipating needing it soon.
A new problem has surfaced in this little quixotic adventure: what to do with my 1/2" taper tanks.
I have two options: leave them as individual units—one with a USD J valve and my 1959 HW tank with its original K valve—or make them a set of doubles using a USD manifold.
I tried to (partially) disassemble the J valve not too long ago and found that the brass of the reserve nut had worn to the point that it wasn't really going to come off. The reserve function still works as intended though. The burst disks in both the J valve and the manifold are very, very stuck. They are the old screw-in types. I've checked the diagrams in Basic Scuba and there don't seem to be any O-rings inside of these valves that I need to go in an replace. Is it really as simple as finding a way to remove those disks, replacing them, wrapping the pipe tape on them, and installing them to go diving?
Jacob
P.S. If this is becoming too specific, Phil, please banish all of this to a separate thread.
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 14, 2023 17:28:47 GMT -8
It's been good day! A pair of UDTs popped up for a good price that looked to be in good shape. Will update once they arrive. I'm nearly set to be able to—loosely—cover a period of about 1963-1977. The thing bothering me the most, outside of the wetsuit's texture, is the depth gauge. Right now I'm using a USD Nemo, but a Calypso would be the ideal thing — it would work from 1961 into the 70s. Anyone have one they don't need? I'm not worried about the condition of the strap, I can source replacement springboard and a new Tropic strap, just that it is in good visual condition and working. Jacob I may have an extra Calypso depth gauge, but it doesn't work right now. It probably needs more oil and a reset for it to work. I am not too enamered by the Calypso depth gauge as we were issued these depth gauges in the USAF, and had a very interesting experience on a mission dive. I'll look after supper. John
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 14, 2023 21:21:50 GMT -8
Tusker, Yes, I do have at least one Calypso depth gauge. I also have a very old underwater compass, which is also broken. Both the depth gauge and the compass are very luminous in the dark, but neither is working. The depth gauge does not have a band on it. It probably would work, but needs to be filled with the oil. It still has an intact screw plug, so I think it can be brought back into service, but it will require work. It also has a capillary gauge, which I’m sure works, around the gauge. Here’s what they look like: IMG_0274 by John Ratliff, on Flickr If you want them, I’ll send them to you for the cost of shipment via fedEx or UPS. John
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Post by Tusker on Aug 15, 2023 3:57:59 GMT -8
Hi John, PM sent.
The reason I'm after a Calypso as opposed to others from the period is the ability to change out the strap. I'm not worried about the gauges themselves — in fact I've seen some very fun Healthways ones out there — but I'm concerned about the longevity of their rubber boots.
On that longevity front, many Calypsos I've seen tend to have cracks and chips to their acrylic crystals. How serious—if at all—does this tend to be for operation?
Jacob
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Post by antique diver on Aug 15, 2023 7:36:53 GMT -8
Hi John, PM sent. The reason I'm after a Calypso as opposed to others from the period is the ability to change out the strap. I'm not worried about the gauges themselves — in fact I've seen some very fun Healthways ones out there — but I'm concerned about the longevity of their rubber boots. On that longevity front, many Calypsos I've seen tend to have cracks and chips to their acrylic crystals. How serious—if at all—does this tend to be for operation? Jacob If Searat's doesn't work out I have a black faced brass 200' Calypso. I will be glad to put it in my test chamber to check it out tonight. I have had some luck with repairing them in the past. This one is from the collection of Jerry Moseman, and the back is engraved with his name and address. Also his name and phone number on the side of the case. I'll post photo's tonight if you might be interested. BTW, these gauges were not oil filled, but if I recall, some other USD gauges were. The main issue these have had is the water entry point getting clogged up... but that's usually a pretty simple fix that I can do if needed. EDIT: OOPS... I just noticed a crack in the lens! I'll still water test it in the chamber to see what happens.
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 15, 2023 8:18:30 GMT -8
Tusker,
It will go out this morning toward you. I'm sending the compass too. I don't need either. The acrylic crystal is intact, without cracks.
John
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 15, 2023 12:11:51 GMT -8
Jacob, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this to you before, but: you can polish out those lenses with scrubbing powder and then toothpaste. If you want to get a super luster, use a bit of suede or chamois after the toothpaste and rub vigorously! You can also use diatomaceous-earth to polish glass: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earthJB
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Post by Tusker on Aug 15, 2023 15:56:37 GMT -8
Tusker, It will go out this morning toward you. I'm sending the compass too. I don't need either. The acrylic crystal is intact, without cracks. John Thanks very much, John! I'll put them to good use. Jacob
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Post by Tusker on Aug 15, 2023 15:58:54 GMT -8
If Searat's doesn't work out I have a black faced brass 200' Calypso. I will be glad to put it in my test chamber to check it out tonight. I have had some luck with repairing them in the past. This one is from the collection of Jerry Moseman, and the back is engraved with his name and address. Also his name and phone number on the side of the case. I'll post photo's tonight if you might be interested. BTW, these gauges were not oil filled, but if I recall, some other USD gauges were. The main issue these have had is the water entry point getting clogged up... but that's usually a pretty simple fix that I can do if needed. EDIT: OOPS... I just noticed a crack in the lens! I'll still water test it in the chamber to see what happens. Bill, let us know how the test goes! I can certainly make use of another gauge. The orange works very well for that 1970s period while the black dial works wonderfully for 1961 up. My goal its to be able to equip two divers so that the photographic projects I'm working on have more than one subject. Jacob
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Post by Tusker on Aug 15, 2023 15:59:53 GMT -8
Jacob, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this to you before, but: you can polish out those lenses with scrubbing powder and then toothpaste. If you want to get a super luster, use a bit of suede or chamois after the toothpaste and rub vigorously! You can also use diatomaceous-earth to polish glass: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earthJB JB, yes, I've done that before on old watch crystals. It's part of why I really like the old acrylic versus modern sapphire! I've got a little container with a mild abrasive specially suited for the job. Jacob
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Post by antique diver on Aug 15, 2023 17:09:39 GMT -8
Jacob, The depth gauge has been in the test pot at 60'for 20 minutes now, after a brief stay at 80' No leak at the lens, but if my test gauge is correct the depth gauge is reading about 10' too deep, which pretty much matches its reading at the surface. I want to let it stay at depth for an hour to see if any water leaks develop. I'll report back later.
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 15, 2023 17:13:28 GMT -8
Bill, that's the type of thing that makes using these so much more fun/interesting: it gives you an actual physical connection to the past Thanks for Sharon (sharing!) JB
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