Ali Plate - Sharp Edges on top

[Griffo]

I debated whether to post this or not, but I figure that Chris and co always taken constructive criticism.
I own 4 hog plates - 2 red ali and 2 steel. I've posted how much I love the red ali plate with the 23# wing in several other threads on SB as my travel wing.

But I've noticed that after ~ 50 dives on this setup, I've had to replace the webbing. It had been sliced through on the top of the plate to the point that I didn't feel safe diving it until I replaced it. In all honestly it would probably have survived another 50 dives but there was also a 1/4" cut in the webbing at the bottom angles slots as well. 2 minutes with a file fixed the problem, but it just wasn't an area I had worried about being sharp, and it seems such a shame to have to file off that nice red finish. Both plates had the same problem. They were ordered over a year ago, so it's possible that they have been fixed since then, but it might be worth checking yours.

 

[eelnoraa]

I have the same issue with the red AL plate. The top/should slots are worse than the bottom slots. What I end up doing is to put 2" turbular sleeve on where the webbing meeting the plate. It seems to alleviate the issue a bit. One thing I notice, HOG AL plate seems a little thinner than other brand of AL plate (OMS is what I has), maybe this is the cause.

I wonder anyone else has the same issue.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

De-burring is an additional manufacturing operation which adds to the cost of the finished product. An alternative would be to radius each slot; this would produce a nicer finished slot than de-burring it, but would be even more costly.

To radius each slot on both sides of the plate would make for an even more expensive final product.

Minimal de-burring would be the cheapest way, and would be acceptable to most. At this point, you could take a small needle file (also called jewelers files) and break the edges a little more.

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[Griffo]

I have the same issue with the red AL plate. The top/should slots are worse than the bottom slots. What I end up doing is to put 2" turbular sleeve on where the webbing meeting the plate. It seems to alleviate the issue a bit. One thing I notice, HOG AL plate seems a little thinner than other brand of AL plate (OMS is what I has), maybe this is the cause.

I wonder anyone else has the same issue.

Yeah I put on the tubular webbing as well, but I didn't extend it over the top of the plate - only through the slots. It's the actual outside of the plate that did the most damage.

 

[eelnoraa]

Do you guys have other AL backplate? Can you measure the thickness? I sold my OMS plate, so nothing to compare now. I will measure my HOG tonight.

 

[cerich]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the comments we will work on doing a better job on the plates in the future.