laikabear
Contributor
Hi everyone,
I have a DSS 26# Torus wing that is about 3 years old. I use it mainly for travel now, and it's been stored in the closet since last summer (I need to take more vacations). I got it out for a class recently and realized it is leaking. For those that don't know, DSS Torus wings are sewn shut, not designed to be user-repairable. It seems to be leaking adjacent to (but not directly out of) the rear dump. That part of the wing, along the bottom, has a rough, thick fabric, and I can't see the leak very precisely. It still holds some air, but gets pretty squishy if inflated fully and left for a few hrs. Also, I can hear the leak if I inflate the wing hard.
I'm still unsure as to whether Tobin will ever be back in business (as far as scuba gear is concerned). His website security certificate is expired and the last I saw of his posts on SB, it sounded like he was possibly done with the scuba business altogether. Although, I also saw some comments that maybe he would eventually be able to repair old gear, even if he doesn't sell new gear anymore.
So, trying to decide what to do with my wing... I could hold onto it and hope that I can get it repaired at some point in the future if Tobin becomes available.
Or I could rip the seam on the outer covering, pull out the bladder, see if I can patch it, and then try to re-sew the wing. I do have a sewing machine that can sew through that thickness of fabric, but I've never sewn anything exactly like that before. I'm concerned I won't be able to make a quality repair of the covering. Or that I could punch more holes in the bladder trying to sew it.
But I guess trying to fix it myself is better than just tossing it in the garbage. And I'm curious about what the bladder looks like. I think I treat my gear in a normal fashion, but if I need to learn a lesson about being more careful with wings, I'd rather learn it now...
Advice? Has anyone successfully repaired a wing with no access zipper?
I have a DSS 26# Torus wing that is about 3 years old. I use it mainly for travel now, and it's been stored in the closet since last summer (I need to take more vacations). I got it out for a class recently and realized it is leaking. For those that don't know, DSS Torus wings are sewn shut, not designed to be user-repairable. It seems to be leaking adjacent to (but not directly out of) the rear dump. That part of the wing, along the bottom, has a rough, thick fabric, and I can't see the leak very precisely. It still holds some air, but gets pretty squishy if inflated fully and left for a few hrs. Also, I can hear the leak if I inflate the wing hard.
I'm still unsure as to whether Tobin will ever be back in business (as far as scuba gear is concerned). His website security certificate is expired and the last I saw of his posts on SB, it sounded like he was possibly done with the scuba business altogether. Although, I also saw some comments that maybe he would eventually be able to repair old gear, even if he doesn't sell new gear anymore.
So, trying to decide what to do with my wing... I could hold onto it and hope that I can get it repaired at some point in the future if Tobin becomes available.
Or I could rip the seam on the outer covering, pull out the bladder, see if I can patch it, and then try to re-sew the wing. I do have a sewing machine that can sew through that thickness of fabric, but I've never sewn anything exactly like that before. I'm concerned I won't be able to make a quality repair of the covering. Or that I could punch more holes in the bladder trying to sew it.
But I guess trying to fix it myself is better than just tossing it in the garbage. And I'm curious about what the bladder looks like. I think I treat my gear in a normal fashion, but if I need to learn a lesson about being more careful with wings, I'd rather learn it now...
Advice? Has anyone successfully repaired a wing with no access zipper?