Sling system for AL40

[TexasMike]

I'd like to get some suggestions and discussion on the different "ready made" systems for slinging an AL40 cylinder under my left arm to be used both as a redundant air source as well as a deco gas.

I've seen Halcyon's on their website and like the looks and pricing. But I am open to hearing about other brands/models.

And while I acknowledge that DIY is one way, I'm at this time not interested in these methods.

So what are you folks using and why?

--Mike

[JamesK]

Well, since you don't like DIY, the DiveRite setup is nice. Just make sure you get the version with bolt snaps and not the boat snaps.

http://www.diverite.com/products/gas/stage.htm

[WreckWriter]

I use Halcyon's, it works well.

Tom

[maddiver]

Halcyon gets my vote.

Rule # six is the most important ;0)


Originally posted by WreckWriter
I use Halcyon's, it works well.

Tom

[omar]

1 stainless steel hose clamp
2 stainless steel bolt snaps
1 piece of lawn tractor inner tube
1 piece of nylon rope
1 piece of vinyl hose

(edited because I wasn't thinking when I first sent it, I can provide pics if needed)

I did it myself because I could not justify paying someone for this. Also, because it works better than the store bought versions.

omar

[maddiver]

36 bucks? What's your time worth? I bet if you went down to the local home depot/lowes/insert hardware store and bought all the stuff it would cost you ~18-20 bucks (min) and then that doesn't include your time to figure out putting it together. Not to mention I had a heck of a time trying to find black nylon cord of the same variety (might just be my home depot).



Originally posted by omar
2 stainless steel hose clamps
2 stainless steel bolt snaps
2 pieces of lawn tractor inner tube
1 piece of nylon rope
1 piece of vinyl hose

I did it myself because I could not justify paying someone for this.
Also, because it works better than the store bought versions.

omar

[Iguana Don]

That's the beauty of DIY, you can put your own value on your time.

If you have bottomless pockets then opt for the store bought, if you have the knack for DIY then opt for the DIY/Omar version.
Pesonally I like Omar's, it's the same and a whole lot cheaper. And there is just something about making it yourself that gives a certain amount of satisfaction that you just can't get with store bought.

Don

[omar]

Figuring it out?? 2 Knots.

The hardest part was painting the MOD

omar

[maddiver]

"And there is just something about making it yourself that gives a certain amount of satisfaction that you just can't get with store bought."

I can respect your affinity for such- no argument here


"If you have bottomless pockets then opt for the store bought"

$36 this is 2002 right? If you guys don't have 36 bucks how can you take a date to the movies or pay for your AOL accts? Will you guys please tell me what the 'materials costs' are for your set ups...no one contested the 18-20 bucks I posted from home depot/. so at best you save less than half, right- and now with the paint and stencils my calculator is threatening to pad it some more?

"That's the beauty of DIY, you can put your own value on your time."-

Granted. However I believe that people 'value' their time at atleast what they make (hourly) and unless you are making below min wage (illegally in the us) then I just don't see the 'return' unless it is all addressed by the joy of DIY which I can respect for some individuals, just not for me.

The question for the two hose clamps was certainly valid as I have seen and even may still have a photo of a guy that did metal to metal off two hose clamps one on each end. If I can find it I will scan and put up for a laugh. Then you can all see the image I had in my mind when the pre-edited post was available.

[omar]

I can get the dive rite stuff at cost. I still made and prefer the "home" made ones.

I don't get the stainless steel snaps at the local hardware store. They are crap. I go to a marine hardware shop.


omar

[maddiver]

and my experience with marine hardware suppliers is that you are going to pay $5+ a piece for your stainless hardware or more (and that's if you are lucky).

Yet to this point you have avoided giving a true cost analysis of the system. I'm trying to show you that you end up spending the same or close to it so why expend the effort for essentially the same outcome?

Mine SS snaps from halcyon and the depot seem to be holding up well in Salt and freshwater use.



Originally posted by omar
I can get the dive rite stuff at cost. I still made and prefer the "home" made ones.

I don't get the stainless steel snaps at the local hardware store. They are crap. I go to a marine hardware shop.


omar

[Divesherpa]

If you buy in bulk with a few friends,you can knock out the gear for 20 stages with minimal cost and headache. How hard can a clamp and a couple of knots be?

[JamieZ]

2 ex-large brass bolt snaps $7 and some change (SM SS clips dont work well with 3 finger mitts)

1 54" length of nylon marine grade string (if I was to break it down out of the $5 for 50ft) .54 cents

1 all ss Pow'R clamp $5 Mcmaster Carr

1 piece of poly tube less then $2

Yes I value my time. Takes me about 5 min. to order from the internet for most stuff and the others, well it gives me an excuse to visit the local Marine dealer. Its called getting away from the little woman and I value that time the most!!!!

By the way you still have to assemble your fully store bought rig as do I. Which takes a whole 5 min.

Oh one thing I forgot I purchase nylon exterior house numbers/letters for .25 cents each so add another $2.50. These last about 2 years on my bottles before I have to replace them.

Total $17.04

I like the idea of doing things for myself. As for bottemless pockets that I dont have but I do make plenty enough money to support my hobbies. There's not to many Technical divers out there that are poor and if they are its because they spent it all on gear, boats, dive trips and Canadian beer and dancers across the border.

[omar]

true cost analysis...

The ready made Dive Rite is inferior in function and durability and I haven't seen one with SS snaps. I haven't used or seen the Halcyon. Also you need to include the shipping charge as well.

So you pay more for lesser quality, makes sense to me.

omar

[trheeltek]

Originally posted by maddiver

The question for the two hose clamps was certainly valid as I have seen and even may still have a photo of a guy that did metal to metal off two hose clamps one on each end.

I either fit the hose clamp with a sleeve, or wrap the bottle with electrical tape or innertube underneath - metal to metal is bad, mm'k.

Someone also recommended crab bands instead of innertube - you can get a bag of 50 for less than $8 (or buy ind. for 16 cents each): http://www.go2marine.com/frameset.jsp?servletPath=/g2m&action=GoBPage&id=80018F

[DocRCH]

I made my own using the same supplies as Omar suggested for about $9 each. I placed electrical tape over the hose clamp to keep it from chafing or snagging .

Yeah and it does look rule #6!!

Robert:doctor: