divetheworld

Ladies and Gents,

Just a quick note to all you lucky boys and girls with rebreathers.

I am not a manufacturer of rebreather parts, in my spare time I do a lot of modifying and building parts for my rebreathers and for those who are my friends.
Occasionally a modification gets made that a great many more could benefit from. People like myself, Phi, John Routley and a few others here on this board put themselves out to offer these enhancements at as little cost as possible. most of the time, we end up out of pocket by a small amount, other times we make enough for a few beers for Saturday night.
Engineers and tool makers charge an hourly rate for making parts, if we get it wrong we pay for the time and the scrap material, then have to make it all over again until it works. Perfectionists work this way. By the time you have a good example made, you could have bought a production model three or four times over.
Take my lung modification for example. I bought a fair selection of sample parts before I found clips that I would trust for this application. Then I had to sit down with a suitable craftsman (who I had to find because your local cobbler might screw it up) who could do the work with a warranty and insurance which would cover a damaged set of £276 lungs.
Once I have a gauge on the demand that may ensure, I prospectively buy in stock of parts I need so I dont keep you out of the water for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Fuel and time not withstanding, I wont break even on this until I have done 5 sets of lungs. I dont expect a stampede, just enough to cover my expenses and a little bit extra to support this website.

The screw for the Inspiration DSV that John makes was made from a 1 metre length of 316L. He made a full set of them out of this bar because two or three people liked the idea, I doubt he has even broke even on this yet.
Johns prototyping has him significantly out of pocket as we speak on new and exciting items that will be vital safety advantages to a great many of you. Why? because of the thanks he gets when it all goes right.

The point is, low volume costs a lot of time and money, and just sometimes, we would appreciate it if this was taken into consideration when people baulk at the cost of these little trinkets.

John recieved some personal and abusive emails this evening because of the price of one of his products. No-one from this board I assure you, but such people are out there.

We do this for the same reason clubs teach. not because it makes money, but because we love the sport and we want to share it with all those who we feel kindred to.

Please dont take the piss. Because I guarantee, we will go the same way Bob Howell did.

Quietly.

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