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A year or so ago,  for a winter project, I decided to build a backplate
from scratch, based closely on the designs at Roger Lacasse's page

	http://spiff.physics.mcgill.ca/scuba/gear/plate.html

However, not having the need or the cash to invest in a twin-set, I intended
to dive this primarily with single tanks, with the option to dive twins
at a later time.  Because I was starting from scratch, I wondered if I could
do away with the single tank adapter.  This led to the following 
deviation from the design of the 'standard' backplate:

A standard plate has the following (approximate) profile:

                      ____
                     /    \
                    /      \
        ___________/        \____________
                            
The profile of the plate I built is:

                     /\  /\
                    /  \/  \
        ___________/        \____________

(Note that this is exaggerated -- the ridge in the center is perhaps an inch
deep, and is a 90 degree bend.)  There are also two sets of slots on the 
two outer ridges, centered on the bolt-holes, that will allow cam buckles to
be threaded through.

These modifications allow the plate to be connected solidly to a single tank,
as well as to a set of doubles.  I have not been able to test, but a P
weight should still fit with little or no modification as well.  Certainly
one that has been cast for this plate would work.

Are there any flaws with this mod that I have missed?  About the only
issues I can see is that the extra work involved in manufacture would
increase the price, and the addition of the four slots would weaken the
plate, though not significantly.  Comments?

In any event I thought I'd post this for anyone else who is making a 
custom plate,  and for comments from the rest.  Who knows -- maybe the 
Halcyon plates will come ready for singles in the future.  :)
        
Brian.
--
grnbrg@cc*.um*.ca*
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