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Post by Ron Hearn on Aug 10, 2005 12:02:39 GMT -8
Hi
This is just a curious question, I was wondering if any one can explain what ever happened to all the Casting dies that were used to make all those rubber hoses and duck bill valves from years back, I would assume some one is using them as door stops some were today, or did Aqua lung and all the other double hose regulator manufactures get there part made off shore.
Thanks
Ron
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 10, 2005 17:25:17 GMT -8
Ron,
I'm not sure if this explains everything, but in communication I have had with Aqualung, U.S. Divers in the 1980s had a fire which wiped out a lot of things, like their documentation on the UDS-1 system. It is possible that the fire also destroyed some of these molds for the two hose regulator hoses and duckbills. If anyone has more information about this, I would be interested in knowing.
John
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Post by cstmwrks on Aug 12, 2005 18:28:50 GMT -8
This is not much of an answer, but years ago while working on making replicas of the old"totes" drysuits I got in touch with the CEO of Totes Isotoner and like so many things.. they scrap the stuff. In todays $$$ a mold for a hose like they used may cost 5 to 10K. I am building the equipment to make dipped neoprene hoses in the same basic size as used by most regulators. It just takes time and $$$$
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Turtleguy9
Pro Diver
Padi MSDT, IDEA INST TRAINER, SDI OWSI, NASE
Posts: 136
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Post by Turtleguy9 on Aug 23, 2005 0:21:47 GMT -8
Aloha Custom works
If its not to personal, how much does it take to develop the Dipped neoprene hoses? I am not trying to pry, just curious.
Aloha turtleguy9
Roger
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Post by Ron hearn on Aug 23, 2005 5:04:23 GMT -8
I would think this adventure would be expensive as most companies would have to run at least a thousand hoses for there first run to make any money.
Ron
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Post by cstmwrks on Aug 24, 2005 17:09:16 GMT -8
Hi Turtleguy9,
For me to tool up for a hose is about a day of machine work and $10.00 in material. I'm going to cheat and make a drop in neoprene tank that will fit in the main production tool ( off the shelf this is about an $80,000.00 item .. the tool that is.. not the neoprene tank. ) but as time allows I'm getting another mini tool to run small items with.
As time goes on I will have maybe two "stock" diameters and can then add sections and different cuffs to make a wide range of custom one offs at prices anyone can afford.
As it is I made prototype lungs for a guy bulding a rebreather and I charged him $300.00 to make the former and dip two lung samples.
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