drawings for backplate

[jaws]

hello every one
new member of scubaboard
I am a tech diver from South Africa
And i am looking to make my own reel and backplates
i would appreciate any links to sites where i might find some
The cost in SA of aluminum and s/s is very simalar, would like input
which is more suitable, I use twin 15lsand 2 10l alu side slings

from jaws

[pcscuba]

Do a search in some of the DIY threads. There are plenty of opinions and drawings on this topic.

[jaws]

i was able to find drawings of a backplate
and single tank adapter from a friend at NormalAir Underwater
Club, he also mentioned that it would cost around R300-00
(+/- 27$) to make, what do new one's cost from Dive-Rite, Halcyon etc...

[Padipro]

Click on the link and you'll find exactly what you need.

Scott

Bacvkplate and STA (http://groups.msn.com/Divelight/backplateandsingletankadapte.msnw)

[ShoalDiverSA]

Hi Jaws,

Have a look at Reinhard Kopka's site:

http://insel.heim.at/malediven/350052/proj_k_e.htm

I built a similar version to the first reel shown on this page. It was really simple to construct (still have to add the brake though :) )

I used perspex for the end plates, a small cylinder of aluminium for the reel body. Machined the end plates on my home drill mounted in a clamp. Used an aangle grinder to remove the excess material while the perspex disk turned in the drill chuck (don't try this at home, kids! :boom: ) I cut and filed the one side off a piece of aluminium angle iron, because I could not get a piece of flat bar for the main frame. For this project, the aluminium should be easy to obtain from metal dealers - they should have heaps of scrap and the parts are tiny. The aluminium is a lot easier to work at home than stainless steel (cutting slots, filing, etc).

For the backplate, though I have no experience with this particular item, I would not recommend aluminium as I suspect that it would be more prone to distortion (but easier to work with). (my 2c worth)

I used a length of fishing net repair line for my bouy line, but it will have to be replaced as it is virtually invisible (dark green). Hint: multicoloured aluminium gate clips for attaching the reel to your BC can be found at Mica Hardware (in SA!) - look in the same area as chains or shackles. Cost about R10.

HTH

Andrew