BigWhiteSquare
Contributor
Why did you choose to make your lightweight backplate from Kydex instead of aluminum like other manufacturers? What are the advantages?
Frank
Frank
Why Kydex?
- Thread starter BigWhiteSquare
- Start date
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cool_hardware52
Contributor
BigWhiteSquare:
Good question, thanks for inquiring.
Kydex, even when reinforced with the 16 gauge SS reinforcements is lighter than AL out of the water, and is less negative in the water.
Kydex will not corrode.
Kydex is much "tougher" than ABS, i.e. it will bend not fracture unpreditably.
Kydex is slightly flexible, that can be an advantage when using little or no exposure suit.
Kydex is simple to debur / radius with hand deburring tools.
Tobin
divemaster_jim
Guest
Hey Tobin,
Quick question,
Would you consider Kydex superior to aluminum?
thanks.
Quick question,
Would you consider Kydex superior to aluminum?
thanks.
The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
The Kydex plate is like WOW! I have had double E7-130s on that frame and it's just perfect. The fit and finish are simply the best that I have seen in the industry, bar none. FWIW, I bought my plate from Tobin BEFORE he started advertising with us. I use his SS plate for singles, and the Kydex for doubles. Simply wonderful.
Ben_ca
Contributor
How much flex with the doubles?
Adobo
Contributor
Personally, I think the selling point of these plates is not the kydex but rather the way they are cut. Or at least that is what I am hoping. My SS DSS plate has super comfy bend angle and well placed webbing slots (no need to burn a hole on the webbing). Presumably these features are carried over to the lighter weight plates from DSS (kydex or whatever material). I went from a DSS SS plate to an aluminum plate from another brand. I miss my DSS plate.
Tobin, do you offer financing?
Ben, maybe we can setup a co-op for a DSS kydex plate.
Tobin, do you offer financing?
Ben, maybe we can setup a co-op for a DSS kydex plate.
The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
Nothing really noticeable. In fact, whether I have bouble 72s, 95s or these beastly 130s, is is simply ROCK SOLID. As was mentioned, they feel far better on my back than the other plates that I own. In addition to the two DSS plate that I use predominately, I also own an aluminum, an ABS and a wickedly heavy SS. I should probably e-bay them.Ben_ca:
cool_hardware52
Contributor
divemaster_jim:
Jim,
I'm not sure I understand your question. The differences between Kydex an aluminum was the topic of my first post.
Tobin
cool_hardware52
Contributor
Ben_ca:
Ben,
Flex is really more of an issue with singles, and singles are pretty light.
In doubles the tanks are the rigid element, the plate just provides a means of attaching the harness.
Tobin
cool_hardware52
Contributor
Adobo:Personally, I think the selling point of these plates is not the kydex but rather the way they are cut. Or at least that is what I am hoping. My SS DSS plate has super comfy bend angle and well placed webbing slots (no need to burn a hole on the webbing). Presumably these features are carried over to the lighter weight plates from DSS (kydex or whatever material). I went from a DSS SS plate to an aluminum plate from another brand. I miss my DSS plate.
Tobin, do you offer financing?
Ben, maybe we can setup a co-op for a DSS kydex plate.
Adobo, the geometry of the Kydex plates is the same as the SS plates. The key differences are the Kydex plates cannot accomodate the weight plates, and do not have the overmoled grommets at the harness slots.
Regarding financing: 100% down, and nothing a month
Tobin
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