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Post by scubalawyer on Jun 19, 2020 13:04:04 GMT -8
New stainless steel exhaust diaphragm band clamp. Awesome!
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Post by vance on Jun 19, 2020 13:22:47 GMT -8
I'm trying to figure out a way to use old Healthways main diaphragm material for these exhaust diaphragms. I'm thinking of making a suitable form out of something to clamp the material on, then heating it to set in shape. I've tried slipping the clamp over the material and regulator flange, but I can't get it to stay on. Very annoying, since the clamp obviously fits over an OEM diaphragm.
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Post by scubalawyer on Jun 19, 2020 14:22:03 GMT -8
I'm trying to figure out a way to use old Healthways main diaphragm material for these exhaust diaphragms. I'm thinking of making a suitable form out of something to clamp the material on, then heating it to set in shape. I've tried slipping the clamp over the material and regulator flange, but I can't get it to stay on. Very annoying, since the clamp obviously fits over an OEM diaphragm. Ok, I read your post and light bulbs starting flashing in my head. Did a quick Google search and came up with the following link:
"Use these sheets as flange gaskets, diaphragm packing, and anywhere heavy compression would squeeze nonreinforced neoprene out of place."
They have impregnated silicone sheets too.
See any possibilities here for a HW exhaust diaphragm?
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Post by vance on Jun 19, 2020 15:03:48 GMT -8
OK, some progress. I took a tomato paste can and cut a bit off the top. I formed and soldered it to size. Crude-ish, but it isn't a final form like a mold would be. Put some diaphragm material over it, clamped it with a zip tie and hit it with the heat gun. After it cooled, I took it off and put it on the Scuba flange with the new clamp. It doesn't really want to reshape into a nice flat diaphragm, but if I had some flat rubber impregnated fabric sheet, rather than this wavy stuff, it would work out very nicely.
I think this is a pretty good alternative, until we get a working reproduction. This stuff will yield a tough water barrier, but it's doubtful it will seal the exhaust tube. I'm not certain the OEM or the rubber sheet ones did either....Just put a duckbill in.
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Post by vance on Jun 19, 2020 15:06:32 GMT -8
I'm trying to figure out a way to use old Healthways main diaphragm material for these exhaust diaphragms. I'm thinking of making a suitable form out of something to clamp the material on, then heating it to set in shape. I've tried slipping the clamp over the material and regulator flange, but I can't get it to stay on. Very annoying, since the clamp obviously fits over an OEM diaphragm. Ok, I read your post and light bulbs starting flashing in my head. Did a quick Google search and came up with the following link: "Use these sheets as flange gaskets, diaphragm packing, and anywhere heavy compression would squeeze nonreinforced neoprene out of place."
They have impregnated silicone sheets too.
See any possibilities here for a HW exhaust diaphragm?
You read my mind while writing my last post. I was saying that I could use some nice flat rubber impregnated sheet material to try this with.
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Post by scubalawyer on Jun 19, 2020 15:25:15 GMT -8
What thickness and what kind of rubber did you use?
P.S. Does it work?
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Post by vance on Jun 19, 2020 16:19:56 GMT -8
The material I used is an old HW main diaphragm with the plates removed. It isn't the best stuff to do this with. It's been pre-formed into a shape different than the new one, and it's 50-60 years old. I have looked at new sheets of rubber impregnated cloth, but never got to where I'd buy some since most of the sellers are looking to sell for huge lots of the stuff. If I could get 2 sq ft....
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 19, 2020 16:49:06 GMT -8
PY, might I suggest taking an old piece of fabric and massaging some of you liquid silicone into it... That should work very well for what you need to do!
JB
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Post by scubalawyer on Jun 19, 2020 16:53:25 GMT -8
I have looked at new sheets of rubber impregnated cloth, but never got to where I'd buy some since most of the sellers are looking to sell for huge lots of the stuff. If I could get 2 sq ft.... I think McMaster-Carr sells small sheets.
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 19, 2020 16:56:44 GMT -8
I have nothing to add, other than thank you for delving into this matter! There are a lot of Healtways SCUBA regulators out there that could possibly be put back in the water. I know they are not the most popular double hose regulator out there, but they are worthy of an attempt to restore! Thanks Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 19, 2020 16:58:39 GMT -8
What about Jay Birds idea of impregnation cloth with silicone, only use an RTV type rubber/gasket material? Or is that what you meant Jay Bird? Mark
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 19, 2020 17:11:44 GMT -8
Mark, yes, you could use RTV, but the stuff PY has takes a bit of time to cure: this would allow it to penetrate deeper into the weave of he fabric. But by all means, try RTV: it wouldn't hurt to shape it over a ball if you can find one about the size of a baseball...
JB
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Post by scubalawyer on Jun 19, 2020 17:14:46 GMT -8
What about Jay Birds idea of impregnation cloth with silicone, only use an RTV type rubber/gasket material? Or is that what you meant Jay Bird? Mark My dive buddy BT from deepest Texas has used Permatex Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer over pantyhose for years as a replacement for the HW exhaust diaphragm. He says it works very well. Haven't tried it yet but it is on the list. M
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Post by vance on Jun 19, 2020 18:41:09 GMT -8
What about Jay Birds idea of impregnation cloth with silicone, only use an RTV type rubber/gasket material? Or is that what you meant Jay Bird? Mark My dive buddy BT from deepest Texas has used Permatex Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer over pantyhose for years as a replacement for the HW exhaust diaphragm. He says it works very well. Haven't tried it yet but it is on the list. M That'd be my friend Bill T. He's made many a diaphragm out of impregnated cloth, so he'd know. I just ordered some and will steal a pair of my wife's nylons to do some 'spearmintin".
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Post by scubalawyer on Jun 19, 2020 19:51:56 GMT -8
Bill is a great guy! We dove together in Florida about 4 years ago. He owned a dive shop for many years and is the go-to guy for all things vintage scuba.
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