Spec Boot For Mk-15

[raftingtigger]

I'm back too. Did some ancient seabed exploring. Note the life support hose for this adventure.

First MK5 boot came out a little thin. I've shaved a little off the inner mold and will try again.

 

[raftingtigger]

My growing SPEC boot collection. First photo left to right: stock MK10 Spec boot, my first 2 MK10 copies, MK5 boot of my design.
Second photo shows internal details. From back to front on the right (MK5) boot is a mating surface with the exterior of the body, a environmental fluid reservoir, another mating surface and ridge to hook into the groove between the 2 parts of the body.

The MK5 is both untested and never been installed on a regulator yet.

 

[lowviz]

Gorgeous work, Tigger!

I'm certain that both your MK5 and MK10 boots will work just fine. Beautiful detail inside and out! With degassing, you have a much better choice of material and durometer rating.

I'm still playing catch-up. I've parted the ring (above) from the plate, now working on the baseplate, vacuum connect, and just got in all the polishing compounds for aluminum. I have several gaskets to pour and cure their slots...

 

[raftingtigger]

lowviz, did you ever have a chance to test the Sil 945 in your environmental fluid?

 

[lowviz]

No, I have the silicone 200 oil but never got the sample(s). Figured you got busy before your trip. Do you have any scraps left?

I checked our conversation chain, my address is correct in there. Let me know if you want a re-send. Yes, I'm very interested in testing Sil 945. Waaaay easier and less expensive than liquid injection molding of the medical grade silicone that is guaranteed to resist silicone oils. Either way, I already have the material so I'm certainly going to use it. If for nothing else, a good comparison.

As an aside, at full vacuum, the total downward force on your vacuum lid is about a thousand pounds. The few inches larger diameter of mine puts me at 3/4 ton. Had to made a few materials adjustments.

 

[raftingtigger]

No, I have the silicone 200 oil but never got the sample(s). Figured you got busy before your trip. Do you have any scraps left?

As an aside, at full vacuum, the total downward force on your vacuum lid is about a thousand pounds. The few inches larger diameter of mine puts me at 3/4 ton. Had to made a few materials adjustments.

I'll send you a new sample, I have lots.

That is a good reason to be using a smaller pot. The one I'm using right now is about 7" diameter.

 

[lowviz]

Thanks!

BTW, At 7" (vs. 9") you are only at 570 pounds force with lots of overhanging lid for extra support. No problem.

 

[lowviz]

This is hysterical, but I won't share. Tigger and the United States Post Office have been duking it out for almost a month now.
Tig won. I NOW HAVE THE PARTS!!!

The SPEC boot for the MK10 is gorgeous. It looks great even under a serious viewer. Pic later, too busy with IRL now...

Sil 945 testing for resistance to Silicone Oil 200 begins.

 

[raftingtigger]

Finally had a chance to put my MK 5 SPEC boot on the regulator. Fits like a glove. It is NOT tested for function yet.

 

[raftingtigger]

Kinda of inadvertently tested the boot for function this weekend. Decided to dive BM/SM off my kayak and the boot was on my SM regulator. I haven't packed the chamber yet, so just pulled the boot up a little to flood the chamber with water. Seemed to breathe fine on surface, so I left it that way for the dive. Completely forgot about the boot being on there until I was cleaning my gear - we can say it worked flawlessly with a seawater packing. Did 2 more dives with it seawater packed and again I couldn't tell it was on.

Dive depths were 41, 71, 49 feet respectively.