Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
This weekend I made a v-weight with a different method. Take 14" of 2"
metal pipe (thicker pipe is probably better), threaded on both ends.
Using a jig saw, sawzall, or band saw, cut off the top third of the pipe
(make 2 cuts if using a jigsaw or sawzall). Thread the caps on. Now
the mould is done.
Put on a gas stove across two burners, and heat on high. Put in some
chunks of lead. Help them melt from the top with a propane torch. I
used 10 lb's of lead. Let cool.
Unthread the caps (use vice and pipe wrench if needed), bang mould on
ground to loosen lead. Twist lead to remove. Beat down any moulded
"pipe threads" on the lead ingot with hammer. Drill two holes 5/16"
diameter, 11" apart. Voila, a 9.8 lb v-weight. I couldn't believe this
worked first time with no trouble.
This results in a half-round, or half-moon sectioned weight of course,
but it fit neatly betweeen my Al 80's.
Cam
Greg Kuiper wrote:
>
> Hi James,
> I have made V weights for my buddies and myself. The easiest and
> cheapest way I know how to do it is the following. Take your doubles
> and put seran wrap between the tanks. Then take modeling clay and form
> it between the two tanks over the seran wrap in a triangular shape.
> Then take your backplate and press down on the clay. Trim the clay as
> necessary. The biggest v-weight I have made to date is a fifteen
> pounder for my hp120's doubles. Take a shoe box and put the modeling
> clay in the bottom of the box. Pour plaster of paris in the shoe box.
> After twenty minutes or so when the plaster is dry pull out the clay.
> Hold on to a lead weight with vice grips and heat it with a propane
> torch (buy it cheap at a hardware store) and let the melting lead drip
> into the mold. This takes longer then a cajun cooker and a frying pan
> but is much cheaper if you are only making one for yourself. Jim Cobb's
> web site describes how to make one with a cajun cooker, search the
> archives. In my area a cajun cooker costs about $65.00 U.S. After the
> V-weight cools break it out of the mold and check it for size. If it is
> to big you can use a belt sander with rough grit or a Makita grinder to
> grind it down. If the weight is to heavy just slice off a little bit
> with a hacksaw, band saw or jigsaw until you get it right. By the way
> wear a good breathing mask as lead fumes are very bad for your health.
> Cost is approx.:
> Propane torch $10.00
> Weight $1.00 per lb.
> No weight belt, priceless.
> I hope this helps yourself and anybody interested.
> Dive safe,
> Greg Kuiper
> --
> Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
> Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
--
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Cameron Banks 408-821-6314 cell
Applied Materials Account Manager 888-731-6502 pager
408-934-0500 office
408-934-0707 fax
Aera Corporation
422 S. Hillview Drive e-mail: cam@ae*.co*
Milpitas, CA 95035 http://www.massflow.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]