Help finding the right B/P?

[kathydee]

Is quite possible I’ll have to swap my SS B/P to an Al plate. I’m searching for an Aluminum Plate that meets my needs, but haven’t found it yet.

I need a plate that:

Has 3 bolt holes for multiple options in placing doubles
Has a slight flare outward at the bottom tips (as I am short and many b/p’s dig into my hips)

Thanks for your suggestions :)!

[FIXXERVI6]

Has 3 bolt holes for multiple options in placing doubles
Has a slight flare outward at the bottom tips
Thanks for your suggestions :)!

1. Drill
2. Hammer or Vise

Problem solved!

[kathydee]

Ps: I should add that there is no room to drill additional bolt holes in my current SS 14" b/p ;-)

[FIXXERVI6]

Zeagle Aluminum Backplate reviews and discounts, Zeagle (http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ZeagleAluminumBackplate)

Just take a hammer to the corners - it won't cause the aluminum to "break" unless you get crazy with it

[kathydee]

Cool. Just found this one. Looks like they already took a hammer to it: Hammerhead Scuba - Hammerhead II Backplate (http://www.hammerheadbackplates.com/hh2alum.htm)

[FIXXERVI6]

Better model too

[halocline]

The hammerhead plate has a pretty steep bend; I think it's great for doubles, but I like a flatter plate for singles. I don't know about the flare on the bottom, I don't think it has that. One other thing is that it has square holes for the tank band bolts; I had to drill mine out a little to get the bolts to go through.

It's a great deal, though, around $50.

[DA Aquamaster]

A hammer is messy. If you have a vice clamp the corner you want to flare outward in the vice and bend the plate slightly in the needed direction.

If you don't have a vice, you can use a large crescent wrench placed on the corner you need bent and while bracing the plate to prevent it from moving, use the wrench to bend the corner in the correct direction.

[kathydee]

The hammerhead plate has a pretty steep bend; I think it's great for doubles, but I like a flatter plate for singles. I don't know about the flare on the bottom, I don't think it has that. One other thing is that it has square holes for the tank band bolts; I had to drill mine out a little to get the bolts to go through.

It's a great deal, though, around $50.

It is for doubles.

[Guy Alcala]

A hammer is messy. If you have a vice clamp the corner you want to flare outward in the vice and bend the plate slightly in the needed direction.

If you don't have a vice, you can use a large crescent wrench placed on the corner you need bent and while bracing the plate to prevent it from moving, use the wrench to bend the corner in the correct direction.

I fail to see how KathyDee's moral behavior or lack of same has anything to do with how to bend a plate:no:

Guy (sorry, couldn't resist)

[carobinsoniv]

Cool. Just found this one. Looks like they already took a hammer to it: Hammerhead Scuba - Hammerhead II Backplate (http://www.hammerheadbackplates.com/hh2alum.htm)

My daughter uses a Hamerhead BP. It is a good BP.

[Blue Sparkle]

Oops. Deleted post.

(I was suggesting a few brands of bp that I have found come in shorter sizes, but I see you already have a 14" plate, so you must know that already.)

[TSandM]

I have a standard OMS aluminum plate. It has 3 holes, and I've never had any problems with the bottom digging into me anywhere.

[cbrich]

When you find a bp, call up a machine shop or fabrication shop. You will need to ask if they have a "brake", if they do they can bend the corners for you, and it won't have the nicks from a hammer or other DIY methods.

[kathydee]

Hey thanks for all the great ideas!