New Optima Backplate and Foot?????

**Dsix36** · 6th January 2008, 16:54

I am just about ready to begin the fabrication of my final blackplate for my Optima and thought that I would ask for any thoughts and/or suggestions on this project.

I intend to make the foot and backplate as one piece and welded together. I will make it the proper length to accommodate steel 27's, as these are the largest tanks. The AL 13's and 20's will still fit also. I intend to dive with the 20's.

Jonathan (jiseson) mentioned to me in a PM about putting some mounting holes in the "foot" for attachment points (argon, BOB, canister, etc.). I think this is a great idea and am pissed that I didn't think of it myself.

I am just throwing this out there for your thoughts. I welcome any and all responses.

More on the backplate here:
http://www.rebreatherworld.com/o2pti...backplate.html

More on the foot here:
http://www.rebreatherworld.com/o2pti...tima-foot.html

edasque · 6th January 2008, 18:58

Well, I was thinking that mounting holes on the plate (a la backplate which I don't use since I have a transpac) wouldn't be a bad thing either. In case the set up is a little bottom heavy (I am thinking of my LP27), one could clip on weights around the head.

One could also use those holes to attach an SMB or other accessories.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 6th January 2008, 20:58

I would try to leave as much open space as you can around the bottom. On the first Optima case, air would get trapped inside, and it would take a while to get this out for descent. The FX case, with the open bottom, has totally resolved the problem. (We just knocked a few holes in the old case as a fix, and this also worked well.)

edasque · 6th January 2008, 21:13

Also, allow for enough space to fit the LP27 and their regs. The existing FX case is very tight for me and often the regs touch the feet.

Tienuts · 7th January 2008, 02:58

Turn signals

edasque · 7th January 2008, 04:41

Could mine say "Yankees Suck" ?

Tony_Q · 7th January 2008, 22:44

Hi Dsix6,

Nice work.

Just a suggestion, but have you considered just making the rolled section to hold the cannister, bracing plate and foot, which can be bolted to a standard alloy or S/S backplate? Easy to break apart for travel.

If divers are already using a backplate, then duplicating its functionality is merely adding unnecessary cost and effort. A design solution eliminating the need for the Optima plastic backplate and providing a method to attach the cannister, foot-plate and FX cover to an existing backplate gives flexibility and lower cost.

I have been having a play making up a prototype of such a system using a 150mm length of Al right-angle channel to which the cannister body is clamped which is then bolted to the existing Optima reinforcing plate. The Optima plastic plate and FX cover base aren't required, with the system bolted to a standard backplate. New nylon straps are then used to attach the FX outer cover to the reinforcing plate.

My prototype appears quite functional but your formed cannister holder would be a more elegant solution in lieu of a piece of Al channel

Your rolled section (slotted to enable secure clamping of the cannister in the holder) with a tab through which to bolt it to the existing reinforcing plate would be very useful.

Regards,
Tony

PS
Your foot looks great, but I would want TQ on mine

**Dsix36** · 7th January 2008, 23:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by Tony_Q)

Hi Dsix6,

Nice work.

Just a suggestion, but have you considered just making the rolled section to hold the cannister, bracing plate and foot, which can be bolted to a standard alloy or S/S backplate? Easy to brake apart for travel.

If divers are already using a backplate, then duplicating its functionality is merely adding unnecessary cost and effort. A design solution eliminating the need for the Optima plastic backplate and providing a method to attach the cannister, foot-plate and FX cover to an existing backplate gives flexibility and lower cost.

I have been having a play making up a prototype of such a system using a 150mm length of Al right-angle channel to which the cannister body is clamped which is then bolted to the existing Optima reinforcing plate. The Optima plastic plate and FX cover base aren't required, with the system bolted to a standard backplate. New nylon straps are then used to attach the FX outer cover to the reinforcing plate.

My prototype appears quite functional but your formed cannister holder would be a more elegant solution in lieu of a piece of Al channel

Your rolled section (slotted to enable secure clamping of the cannister in the holder) with a tab through which to bolt it to the existing reinforcing plate would be very useful.

Regards,
Tony

PS
Your foot looks great, but I would want TQ on mine

This is not a bad idea either. I have played with a standard backplate, but never thought of implementing it into the actual design. I will have to look into this a little further. Thanks for the input!

jiseson · 7th January 2008, 23:29

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dsix36)

This is not a bad idea either. I have played with a standard backplate, but never thought of implementing it into the actual design. I will have to look into this a little further. Thanks for the input!

-where do the wings go then?na

Tienuts · 8th January 2008, 02:53

Quote: (Originally Posted by edasque)

Could mine say "Yankees Suck" ?

Damn you Eric! Now I have to get Don to make me one that says "Blow Sox"

6th January 2008, 16:54	#1 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 960	New Optima Backplate and Foot????? I am just about ready to begin the fabrication of my final blackplate for my Optima and thought that I would ask for any thoughts and/or suggestions on this project. I intend to make the foot and backplate as one piece and welded together. I will make it the proper length to accommodate steel 27's, as these are the largest tanks. The AL 13's and 20's will still fit also. I intend to dive with the 20's. Jonathan (jiseson) mentioned to me in a PM about putting some mounting holes in the "foot" for attachment points (argon, BOB, canister, etc.). I think this is a great idea and am pissed that I didn't think of it myself. I am just throwing this out there for your thoughts. I welcome any and all responses. More on the backplate here: http://www.rebreatherworld.com/o2pti...backplate.html More on the foot here: http://www.rebreatherworld.com/o2pti...tima-foot.html __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Offline)

6th January 2008, 18:58	#2 (permalink)
edasque Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 232	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Well, I was thinking that mounting holes on the plate (a la backplate which I don't use since I have a transpac) wouldn't be a bad thing either. In case the set up is a little bottom heavy (I am thinking of my LP27), one could clip on weights around the head. One could also use those holes to attach an SMB or other accessories.
(Online)

6th January 2008, 20:58	#3 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? I would try to leave as much open space as you can around the bottom. On the first Optima case, air would get trapped inside, and it would take a while to get this out for descent. The FX case, with the open bottom, has totally resolved the problem. (We just knocked a few holes in the old case as a fix, and this also worked well.) __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

6th January 2008, 21:13	#4 (permalink)
edasque Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 232	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Also, allow for enough space to fit the LP27 and their regs. The existing FX case is very tight for me and often the regs touch the feet.
(Online)

7th January 2008, 02:58	#5 (permalink)
Tienuts The man from Nantucket Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 166	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Turn signals
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7th January 2008, 04:41	#6 (permalink)
edasque Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 232	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Could mine say "Yankees Suck" ?
(Online)

7th January 2008, 22:44	#7 (permalink)
Tony_Q New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 44	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Hi Dsix6, Nice work. Just a suggestion, but have you considered just making the rolled section to hold the cannister, bracing plate and foot, which can be bolted to a standard alloy or S/S backplate? Easy to break apart for travel. If divers are already using a backplate, then duplicating its functionality is merely adding unnecessary cost and effort. A design solution eliminating the need for the Optima plastic backplate and providing a method to attach the cannister, foot-plate and FX cover to an existing backplate gives flexibility and lower cost. I have been having a play making up a prototype of such a system using a 150mm length of Al right-angle channel to which the cannister body is clamped which is then bolted to the existing Optima reinforcing plate. The Optima plastic plate and FX cover base aren't required, with the system bolted to a standard backplate. New nylon straps are then used to attach the FX outer cover to the reinforcing plate. My prototype appears quite functional but your formed cannister holder would be a more elegant solution in lieu of a piece of Al channel Your rolled section (slotted to enable secure clamping of the cannister in the holder) with a tab through which to bolt it to the existing reinforcing plate would be very useful. Regards, Tony PS Your foot looks great, but I would want TQ on mine Last edited by Tony_Q : 8th January 2008 at 21:58. Reason: fix typo
(Offline)

7th January 2008, 23:12	#8 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 960	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Quote: (Originally Posted by Tony_Q) Hi Dsix6, Nice work. Just a suggestion, but have you considered just making the rolled section to hold the cannister, bracing plate and foot, which can be bolted to a standard alloy or S/S backplate? Easy to brake apart for travel. If divers are already using a backplate, then duplicating its functionality is merely adding unnecessary cost and effort. A design solution eliminating the need for the Optima plastic backplate and providing a method to attach the cannister, foot-plate and FX cover to an existing backplate gives flexibility and lower cost. I have been having a play making up a prototype of such a system using a 150mm length of Al right-angle channel to which the cannister body is clamped which is then bolted to the existing Optima reinforcing plate. The Optima plastic plate and FX cover base aren't required, with the system bolted to a standard backplate. New nylon straps are then used to attach the FX outer cover to the reinforcing plate. My prototype appears quite functional but your formed cannister holder would be a more elegant solution in lieu of a piece of Al channel Your rolled section (slotted to enable secure clamping of the cannister in the holder) with a tab through which to bolt it to the existing reinforcing plate would be very useful. Regards, Tony PS Your foot looks great, but I would want TQ on mine This is not a bad idea either. I have played with a standard backplate, but never thought of implementing it into the actual design. I will have to look into this a little further. Thanks for the input! __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Offline)

7th January 2008, 23:29	#9 (permalink)
jiseson DSIX/O2PTIMA Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island,ny Posts: 529	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Quote: (Originally Posted by Dsix36) This is not a bad idea either. I have played with a standard backplate, but never thought of implementing it into the actual design. I will have to look into this a little further. Thanks for the input! -where do the wings go then?na __________________ *Jonathan D Iseson*
(Offline)

8th January 2008, 02:53	#10 (permalink)
Tienuts The man from Nantucket Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 166	Re: New Optima Backplate and Foot????? Quote: (Originally Posted by edasque) Could mine say "Yankees Suck" ? Damn you Eric! Now I have to get Don to make me one that says "Blow Sox"
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