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Post by vance on Nov 17, 2022 18:23:54 GMT -8
As I've said, I keep having these following me around.
I just picked up another ugly DAAM that turned out to be really nice after a soak and scrub. The worst part is that the seemingly intact label paint came off 100% in the vinegar bath.
Even the hoses (good), diaphragm and mp (excellent) are re-useable. The duckbill needs replaced, but it wasn't a gloppy mess like most. I'll post some photos of the before and after.
It really looked ugly!
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Post by Aquala1 on Nov 17, 2022 20:46:55 GMT -8
Satin or shiny chrome?
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Post by artc on Nov 18, 2022 10:04:33 GMT -8
Hi Phil, if it’s the one I saw on eBay recently, that DAAM is really crusty. I’m looking forward to see how it turns out.
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Post by vance on Nov 18, 2022 13:33:06 GMT -8
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Post by Aquala1 on Nov 18, 2022 15:00:07 GMT -8
Cool! If you want to sell that hose set, just let me know.
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Post by vance on Nov 18, 2022 16:12:56 GMT -8
I will need to keep it to sell on an ok looking, but very functional StreamAir/Mistral. I can't sell the SA/M with a new hoseloop, b/c I'll never get enough to cover my costs.
This hoseloop will contribute to my Hail-Mary attempt to recoup what I paid plus what eBay will charge me. EBay always makes more on my regs than I do.
The hoses are set in the normal weird way, but are solid, having no splitting or other signs of rot. The mp and the nrvs are good, so I can consider it a freebie.
I washed the hoses, mp and wws in a bleach/soap wash in the machine. I have it hanging in hopes it will straighten out a bit. I'll shoot it with silicone spray now and then.
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DAAM it!
Nov 18, 2022 18:06:22 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by artc on Nov 18, 2022 18:06:22 GMT -8
Yup, that's the one, I can't believe how different it is now (in the best way). Great job Phil!
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Post by antique diver on Nov 20, 2022 17:34:35 GMT -8
From the looks of it in first photos I wouldn't have thought it would ever turn out so nice!
I particularly like the satin finish Pico DAAM, as that was the first Aqualung brand reg that I bought (slightly used). It would have been some time between 1963-65. It's the reg seen in my avatar, diving in Jacob's Well cave, 1965. I wish I had kept it, but at least I have one just like it now.
My previous, and first reg was the Voit VR2/Mariner, bought used in about 1960-61. Long gone now, but I was later able to acquire one like it in much nicer condition. Dove it at the 2016 Sea Hunt event at Silver Springs.
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Post by vance on Nov 20, 2022 17:52:11 GMT -8
Yeah, the worst part is the rub marks on the bottom box, and a bit of pitting.
I took a chance on it because I thought the ugliness was mostly crud, and not corrosion. You get to recognize the look of crud/not corrosion, but you never know. 8/10 times I'm right, and it cleans up fine.
Even if it doesn't, a reg with chrome loss is still a viable unit. It just needs a bit more attention when cleaning.
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 21, 2022 11:18:21 GMT -8
To be clear: these units were unbalance, and then the next generation was the RAM which was balanced? Or was the Royal Master between those two? Was the Mistral balanced? Just trying make conversation...
JB
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Post by vance on Nov 21, 2022 17:25:00 GMT -8
DAAMs are unbalanced 2 stage regs. RAMs are balanced 2 stage, and Mistrals are unbalanced single stage regs. There are not any production balanced single stage regs that I know of.
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DAAM it!
Nov 21, 2022 18:20:01 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by scubalawyer on Nov 21, 2022 18:20:01 GMT -8
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Post by artc on Nov 21, 2022 18:40:13 GMT -8
I believe so. Before the RAM, in 1964 US Divers developed the Royal Master as a balanced regulator. It was only around for a year or two before the RAM replaced it.
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Post by vance on Nov 21, 2022 19:33:29 GMT -8
Yes, that's true. The Royal Mistral was a balanced single stage that didn't really work. I think there was a Spiro version that might have been better, but there was never a viable commercial unit.
I made a single stage balanced unit out of a long HW SCUBA valve with Conshelf HP parts and installed it in the Misuba Rev5. It works well.
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Post by antique diver on Nov 22, 2022 7:07:39 GMT -8
Yes, that's true. The Royal Mistral was a balanced single stage that didn't really work. I think there was a Spiro version that might have been better, but there was never a viable commercial unit. I made a single stage balanced unit out of a long HW SCUBA valve with Conshelf HP parts and installed it in the Misuba Rev5. It works well. Phil, you are the only guy I know that could make a regulator from a tree stump
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