Home Tournaments Calendar Weather Merchandise Sponsors

Go Back   Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum > Spearfishing Gear > All Other Gear

All Other Gear Tanks, BCDs, Regs, Fins, Stringers, and all other gear we use in Spearfishing.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 7 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
Old 03-22-2008, 02:59 PM   #31
calla969
Registered User
 
calla969's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sebastian, FL
Age: 46
Posts: 168
Re: DIY inflatable float

I think I'll stick with the plastic bladder idea just because it's easier to deflate than removing a valve stem.
calla969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2008, 05:00 PM   #32
renepotvin
Registered User
 
renepotvin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Montreal
Posts: 871
Re: DIY inflatable float

I'm thinking of using Hypalon and a zodiac valve. Have you considered that avenue?
__________________
Rene Potvin
Montreal

Http://www.renepotvin.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/potvinr
Do subscribe, i'll subscribe back
renepotvin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2008, 10:35 PM   #33
carsonwild
Registered User
 
carsonwild's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Cody,Wy
Age: 53
Posts: 373
Re: DIY inflatable float

calla969 I take one off your hands.
They look great. Have you done any testing in the water on it to see how much weight it well hold up. Ill buy one from you and do some testing on it. It really looks like a cool project.Can't wait to here to here and see more on its progress.
Carson
carsonwild is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2008, 11:33 PM   #34
bug_power
Team Jetty Jumper!
 
bug_power's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx
Age: 47
Posts: 1,484
Re: DIY inflatable float

How about posting sources for the COrdura, zippers and some sizes? I'd love to try making my own. I'm using a freaking stryofoam balls and boat fenders!
__________________
"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain."
http://www.TexasSpearfishing.com
bug_power is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2008, 04:39 AM   #35
calla969
Registered User
 
calla969's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sebastian, FL
Age: 46
Posts: 168
Re: DIY inflatable float

I did think about making a float out of hypalon. I think the float would be very durable and it would actually be easier to build since you would glue it instead of sewing and you would not need a bladder, but it will be a little more expensive. The hypalon costs more than double what the nylon costs (the bladder costs almost nothing, and the glue is very expensive. It wouldn't be insanely expensive, but it was too much money for me to experiment with right now. I am going to post some measurements when I get home form work today. Here are some links to materials. The NRS website has valves, material, glue, and some other interesting odds and ends. The AAH website is where I ordered the nylon, d-rings, thread, zipper and webbing. Both sites sell hypalon. The U-stick valves will be the ones on my next float. If you do a search on "inflatable kite repair" you can find instructions on welding plastic film.
http://www.ahh.biz/index.htm
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1802
http://www.airtimekite.com/valve_page_1.html
calla969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2008, 07:04 AM   #36
bug_power
Team Jetty Jumper!
 
bug_power's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx
Age: 47
Posts: 1,484
Re: DIY inflatable float

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...75&deptid=1760

JUst find a way to attach the tube to the float and put this on the end.
looks like a good bladder here.
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...81&deptid=1760
__________________
"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain."
http://www.TexasSpearfishing.com
bug_power is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2008, 10:04 AM   #37
renepotvin
Registered User
 
renepotvin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Montreal
Posts: 871
Re: DIY inflatable float

Thanks Calla, obviously using some 6 mil vapor barrier would be cheaper.

I've used the hypalon glue on my inflatable and I have to say that the Hypalon would be almost indestructible. I also wonder about the price. Fortunately I've got a high end inflatable manufacturer next door (Air Solid). The last time the owner simply gave us the glue and some hypalon to fix our transom. With his council we were able to make that transom almost indestructible
__________________
Rene Potvin
Montreal

Http://www.renepotvin.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/potvinr
Do subscribe, i'll subscribe back
renepotvin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2008, 03:55 PM   #38
calla969
Registered User
 
calla969's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sebastian, FL
Age: 46
Posts: 168
Re: DIY inflatable float

If anyone wants a basic drawing of the pattern with measurements and some rough instructions for the nylon shell, contact me by PM. I will make a how-to when I make the next one, but this may help those interested until then. Thanks for the comments and compliments.
calla969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2008, 08:55 PM   #39
njspearo
J valve
 
njspearo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: keys
Posts: 2,793
Send a message via AIM to njspearo
Re: DIY inflatable float

damn dude that thing is awesome, good fab. skills man!
njspearo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2008, 10:29 PM   #40
kjflyfish
snorklin'
 
kjflyfish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 2,828
Re: DIY inflatable float

Any water tests? How is it holding up, still keeping the pressure?
__________________
Kolt
kjflyfish is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2008, 04:06 PM   #41
calla969
Registered User
 
calla969's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sebastian, FL
Age: 46
Posts: 168
Re: DIY inflatable float

No water tests yet. The freaking wind won't let up and I've been busy with school. The current bladder holds air at a decent pressure overnight and then starts getting pretty soft. I checked the inflated pressure at about 5 PSI which is less than I thought but more than enough. I just got my hands on some polyurethane film and have a manufacturer sending me some sample material, which should make a perfect, leak free, and durable bladder. I am still doing research in preparation for the next one, but I am getting close. When I build the next one, I am going to let another SB member test this one for me.
calla969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2008, 09:47 PM   #42
Tino Bernazzani
Dreaming of BFT
 
Tino Bernazzani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3,248
Re: DIY inflatable float

Excellent work and insight.
Please keep us posted.
I have always wanted to attempt this type of project.
Tino Bernazzani is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2008, 09:52 PM   #43
apnea_beast
Registered User
 
apnea_beast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: tampa bay/RI
Posts: 791
Re: DIY inflatable float

calla,

that's one of the nicest DIY self items ive ever seen. nice job
apnea_beast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2008, 02:54 AM   #44
carsonwild
Registered User
 
carsonwild's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Cody,Wy
Age: 53
Posts: 373
Re: DIY inflatable float

Any more progress on the float.
Carson
carsonwild is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2008, 12:19 PM   #45
FLETCHOSAURUS
#2
 
FLETCHOSAURUS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,743
Re: DIY inflatable float

Calla thanks for the help! I can't wait to try this myself!!!
I probably will have some questions though when it comes dwn to it
FLETCHOSAURUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:01 PM.


The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Social Media Forum Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2002 - 2014 Spearboard.com