QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO USE A BP/W WITHOUT AN STA

[Searcaigh]

Also use plastic screws to hod the wing to the plate, works a treat.

 

[BrackaFish]

I use plastic screws on one B/W and metal on my old setup. No issues. I do like @rhwestfall idea on not using screws and bolts at all. I may give that a try since I seem to have a huge amount of time on my hands. As an aside, one of my dive buddies continues to use a steel STA because he likes the extra weight and how it trims him out. To each, their own I guess.

 

[lexvil]

A lot depends on which backplate you are using, some have deep channels and hold the tank further away from your back, add the STA and it’s another 3/4” or so further out, when I used a DSS backplate I preferred the STA which made tank changes much easier, the DSS has a flatter profile than some like the HOG. The voyager wing is not a great choice to leave loose because of the wide open middle “cross hair” design, the plastic sexbolts work well for this but I did find my tank shifting with no STA so I just used one,I did make one for just the bottom from a SS buckle which worked perfectly at tank stability by bending it so it held the tank a hair higher the the SS sexbolt head. Other wings have stabilizers built in and these work very well too.

 

[dlofting]

I use stainless steel bolts with locknuts....the type with the insert not the lockwasher.

 

[TuckerIdaho]

don't use bolts...

The cam bands lock it all together.

Aluminum/light stainless backplate seems fine, heavy stainless backplate? Plastic screws are nice. Or maybe plastic weight keepers on BPs like the Mares with the huge channel?

Jmho

 

[rhwestfall]

I at times do use the plastic book screws. A single one at the top as it isn't in conflict due to the neck taper.

With a wing that has "roll control", there is likely clearance for them.

OP is challenged with a wing that "has some issues" in the panel design.

YMMV

 

[seeker242]

My tanks have a little bit of scratches from the bolts, as I use metal ones, but they are inconsequential and purely cosmetic, which I don't care about. Technically, you don't even need bolts but not having them does make it more difficult to switch tanks between dives.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

For my setups that I don't intend to change? Zip tie. No bolts.

 

[TuckerIdaho]

For my setups that I don't intend to change? Zip tie. No bolts.

Big industrial ties I assume?

 

[rhwestfall]

Big industrial ties I assume?

Why? The required load is when the cam bands are holding the tank...

same reason we use those cheap plastic sex bolts...