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Post by fishnbeer on Feb 18, 2021 14:31:43 GMT -8
Recently I rebuilt my USD solid bar dual manifold on my aluminum 50's. Since I had some time on my hands, I decided to make a back plate in the spirit of vintage. I went to my local TAP Plastic store and found they had some marine Starboard HDPE. It is used on boats/yachts etc. to make doors,ladders & such. The store clerk told me it was strong and uv light resistant. Unfortunately they were out of black color so i decided to just use White. He cut me a piece of 3/8" thick and off I went. It basically feels like cutting board material. I decided to make a plate similar to the VDH back plate which is near impossible to get at this time. With just a drill and jig saw I cut out slots for webbing and holes to mount on the tank bands. The slots were a little rough from the jigsaw, but I plan on smoothing all the edges later on before getting new webbing. I don't know how durable the plate will be or last, but for $15.00 it was a deal.    |
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Post by snark3 on Feb 18, 2021 14:35:03 GMT -8
Looks good
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Post by fishnbeer on Feb 18, 2021 14:46:10 GMT -8
Thanks, it still needs some TLC though.
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Post by james1979 on Feb 18, 2021 17:29:35 GMT -8
Looks really good! My kids (11 and 14) are using plates I cut from plastic cutting boards (they're holding up like a champ... kids and backplates!). I used one too until I lucked into a VDH plate. Regarding your "needs some TLC", your slots are cleaner than mine were... that's some quality work!
Respectfully,
James
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Post by vance on Feb 18, 2021 17:44:01 GMT -8
Nice plates! I bought a donut BCD, and need to figure out how to make a plate for it.
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Post by scubalawyer on Feb 18, 2021 18:42:18 GMT -8
Very nice Jerry!
I dove for years with a set of twin aluminum 50s that I bought new in 1976. Bad alloy, didn't pass visual Eddy testing on one, and the other developed a cracked neck. Loved those tanks!
M
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Post by fishnbeer on Feb 18, 2021 19:05:59 GMT -8
Very nice Jerry! I dove for years with a set of twin aluminum 50s that I bought new in 1976. Bad alloy, didn't pass visual Eddy testing on one, and the other developed a cracked neck. Loved those tanks! M Mark- I'm planning to use the plate with these 50's as my modern DH unit, will be great for boat diving. The 50's are made by Metal Impact distributed by XS scuba. They are 6.9" diameter witch is cool to use w/ old bands. I'm planing on using a XS Companion 30lb wing as there is room to put it between the plate and tanks. I had to modify the wing a bit to make it fit. I'm planing on using the plate just for doubles as I didn't make slots for single tank bands. I use my aluminum VDH plate for singles only at this time. |
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Post by SeaRat on Feb 18, 2021 22:36:06 GMT -8
Very nice Jerry! I dove for years with a set of twin aluminum 50s that I bought new in 1976. Bad alloy, didn't pass visual Eddy testing on one, and the other developed a cracked neck. Loved those tanks! M I have a set of those twin Al 50s too, which I have decommissioned and sit empty in my shed. They were painted really nicely too. I replaced them with a set of twin steel 52s and a modern set of AL 45s. John |
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Post by Aquala1 on Feb 26, 2021 8:17:20 GMT -8
Looks good! I didn’t realize the VDH plates were that hard to get. I’ve thought about selling mine a few times as I don’t see that much of a performance difference between it and my Halcyon plate. Maybe I should hang onto it for now.
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Post by fishnbeer on Feb 28, 2021 19:13:52 GMT -8
Looks good! I didn’t realize the VDH plates were that hard to get. I’ve thought about selling mine a few times as I don’t see that much of a performance difference between it and my Halcyon plate. Maybe I should hang onto it for now. VDH is not currently selling their Vintage style plate, so that was the inspiration to make my own. If I were you I would hang on to your plate as it is unknown when new plates will be offered for sale. |
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Post by duckbill on Feb 28, 2021 20:44:40 GMT -8
And yet, on the other hand, now would be the prime time to sell too. 🙂
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Post by snark3 on Mar 1, 2021 11:17:07 GMT -8
And yet, on the other hand, now would be the prime time to sell too. 🙂 Only after making a template |
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Post by fishnbeer on Mar 6, 2021 21:07:18 GMT -8
Well I finally finished the back plate. I got some webbing and hardware from Piranha Dive Gear and assembled it to my 50's with the back wing. Can't wait to get it wet and try it out Here is my plate with MY Phoenix reg & wing   |
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Post by floridaman on Mar 23, 2021 15:52:44 GMT -8
Looks good. I squeezed a 24lb wing in between a small twin set and original backpack. Had to punch a grommet for the bottom bolt in the center stap. Works well. Only use when diving without wetsuit. Otherwise dive it with no wing. Seen here with Cyklon, but use a Gold label mostly.  |
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lwp
Regular Diver
Posts: 16
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Post by lwp on Sept 28, 2021 10:30:59 GMT -8
What are the approximate length and width dimensions for this plate you made versus the dimensions for the single tank version? I have never seen one of the VDH plates in person so I don't really know how large they are. Thanks.
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