Spring size for Spring straps

[darylm74]

What length is everyone using for a L/XL size spring strap? I bought a pair (didn't have time to make them) and the LDS told me I needed an XXL for my rock boots. First dive I did, my fin falls off after my boot compressed. Luckily I was able to retrieve my fin and make it back. The spring straps I got were from Manta and didn't have the over-stretch line in it so I want to adjust them to the right size and add the line.

Thanks

--dsm

[Tanked Monkey]

I found it a bit tricky to get the exact lengths correct. My dive shop doesn't sell them, so I ordered mine online (the horror). XL Jet fins and XL spring straps (by scubapro) didn't fit my size 9 wetsuit boot - straps were too big, but the fin fit well. I eventually exchanged the XL springs for L springs , and XL fins. The XL fin and L straps fit perfectly now. You may just have to try different things until it's "just right."

You might want to check kidspot's page with TONS of information about this subject: http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scuba/

Mike

[Wayward Son]

We generally buy them with an OAL of 11 inches & then cut them down. No need to buy new springs. You can either take them back & exchange them for a smaller size, or if you're silling to modify them, just cut off enough to make them fit right. You'll need a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel or something similar to cut the springs.

Don't cut too much. You can always cut more off, but you can't put any back on.

[darylm74]

We generally buy them with an OAL of 11 inches & then cut them down. No need to buy new springs. You can either take them back & exchange them for a smaller size, or if you're silling to modify them, just cut off enough to make them fit right. You'll need a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel or something similar to cut the springs.

Don't cut too much. You can always cut more off, but you can't put any back on.

......but wasn't sure how to make them re-attach after you cut connection loops on the end of the spring. Guess I can just twist up the last couple spirals to do that huh? I swear my brain has been innovation block lately.

Thanks

--dsm

[Wayward Son]

Yep, you just make new ends.

[ScubaSarus]

You can actually cut the premade straps to size? I used a pair of quality and sharp needle nose pliers to cut mine and bent out at least 2 coils for connecting to my S-clips.

[darylm74]

You can actually cut the premade straps to size? I used a pair of quality and sharp needle nose pliers to cut mine and bent out at least 2 coils for connecting to my S-clips.

I actually had to cut them with linesman pliers. They do quite the job and kept me from having to break out the dremel. Of course, being accident prone I jammed one end up my thumbnail a bit and got a nasty little cut because I don't have a vice and was doing all the bending free-hand. I filed down the ends to make sure there wasn't a sharp edge after that. I found that a screwdriver works nice to keep the rest of the spring straight while you bend the end down. The springs were 12 inches and I ended up having to take roughly 2 inches off. Perhaps I could have gone with a set of larges. I have a wider foot and bought turtles but I wear a size 11 1/2 (DUI rock boots 11). I tried them on with my wetsuit boots and they fit perfectly. Might be slightly snug at the surface with my rock boots but they will compress a bit. Anyway thanks for all your help. Looks like they will do the trick now.