Mike Newman:
I'd be interested in knowing which type of rings you're using this on. I'd certainly like to find an easier way of changing gloves on the Diving Concepts system...
http://scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1814641&postcount=9
The thread above outlines it. I no longer need the duct tape training wheels, and can do a complete R&R in about 10 minutes or less. Text from the thread is below. The key to installing the Mediums, I've found, is to cut off the brown piping around the glove edge - makes it a lot easier, as the glove has some stretch but the piping has nearly zero.
---
Ken
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first time took me about 20 minutes (of course, add in the 2+ hours to make three tools... the first two of which didn’t work!) The subsequent replacements have taken about 8 minutes each with my new and improved tool.
With my home made DC Tool I can do the replacements by myself. Here's the deal:
- This website was VERY HELPFUL. This site lit the fuse and gave me the confidence to do this myself. There are a couple of other sites out there showing you how to replace the gloves on the glove-side rings, but this is the best of the bunch. The tool described needs some improvement. Here are the specifics to Kenny's DC Glove Tool:
- I sawed off the end of a CAP of 4.5" ABS pipe. This makes the outside diameter 5". In the first two versions, I used the actual ABS pipe - and it just wasn't large enough. By using the CAP, you get a ring that is a little larger. This is very important, as you want the tool as large as possible, but small enough to fit through the glove-side ring. This is the perfect size. Just lop off a ¾” ring from the end of the CAP.
- I rounded the edges of the tool with a surform file. This makes it SO much easier to maneuver once inside the glove, as its smooooov. This was the first big change I made that made things much easier. I could drive it deeper into the glove with less effort – so I wasn’t risking rolling off the O-Ring.
- I cut a groove into the tool with a small file. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE TOOL. By cutting a small groove around the center of the tool, the O-Ring doesn't slip out as you're working the tool into the glove and while you’re moving the tool into position. This is what changed everything and took this to an 8 minute operation.
- When I'm ready to compress the tool and roll on the O-Ring, I simply place the O-Ring into the groove and loosely duct tape the O-Ring to the bottom of the tool. This serves as a pair of second hands, allowing me to simultaneously compress the tool and work the O-Ring around the tool. Once the O-Ring is threaded onto the tool, I take off the Duct Tape. *** Remember: All of this is easier if you lube the O-Ring slightly with O-Ring Lube. I’m a photographer, so I have tubes of the stuff. If you don’t, you can use Cristo Lube in a pinch. ***
Above are the only variants to the instructions on the attached website. The rest of the instructions are clear and easy to follow.
Hope this helps. PM me with any questions. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve replaced lots of gloves onto the Glove-Side rings. It’s a no brainer now.
XL and L sizes are the easiest. If your dive buddy insists on diving gloves that fit (the nerve of some people) and wants you to install Mediums, prepare for a longer install peppered with the occasional curse word (OK… maybe more than occasional.) About 10 minutes into the first Medium glove I broke out wifie’s craft heat gun to soften up the PVC and it made a HUGE difference in installing the Medium Gloves demanded by my princess-buddy with the teeny hands.
The second Medium took about 8 minutes and I didn't turn nearly as red opening up the tool in the glove, as I had thoroughly warmed it with the heat gun. No heat required when doing Large or XL.
Enjoy.
Ken
