I just can't do it

[Aquatrax]

Trim my neck seal that is, just got the new drysuit from ST and I just can't do cut it. Guess I'll be back at ST tomorrow and get a little help from Joey.

Good thing they are around the corner!

[Tassie Diver]

You're just soft! A nice sharp pair of scissors, a steady hand and you're away. One ring (or even half a ring) at a time, trial fit then continue...

[Aquatrax]

Originally Posted by Tassie Diver

You're just soft! A nice sharp pair of scissors, a steady hand and you're away. One ring (or even half a ring) at a time, trial fit then continue...

i'm not as soft as that pretty new neck seal and since I haven't been diving in 5 weeks, I just can't risk it. I will dive this weekend and I will dive dry!

Actually another circumstance is that my new glasses haven't arrived so the lines look a little blurry.

[Tassie Diver]

When I first got my drysuit, the guys at the LDS all said I had to trim it myself! They didn't want the responsibility of getting it wrong

Actually, it was a lot easier than I thought. It took three or four half-rings to get the size right, and by that stage, I was pretty comfortable with my technique.

[Aquatrax]

Originally Posted by Tassie Diver

When I first got my drysuit, the guys at the LDS all said I had to trim it myself! They didn't want the responsibility of getting it wrong

Actually, it was a lot easier than I thought. It took three or four half-rings to get the size right, and by that stage, I was pretty comfortable with my technique.

I can see their point. What did you use to stretch the seal?

[CompuDude]

Forget scissors. Go to a sewing or craft shop and pick up a rotary cutter. It's a wheel-shaped razor blade and the best thing there is for a perfect continuous cut.

While you're there, get some double-stick tape.

Use the double-sided tape inside the seal to line everything up perfectly. With the tape to hold everything in place, it's really easy to line everything up. It's a bitch without it.

Then run the roller across, following the line. Super easy.

Don't fear the seals. With the proper tools, it's a breeze!

[Tassie Diver]

Originally Posted by Aquatrax

I can see their point. What did you use to stretch the seal?

Stretch???

[Vlane]

Originally Posted by Aquatrax

I can see their point. What did you use to stretch the seal?

Try stretching it over a piece of PVC pipe or a wine bottle/jar. Also, a new razorblade works well for trimming seals as well.

[WaScubaDude]

Try stretching the neck seal over a tank for three days, wrist seals over bottles. Mine was pretty dang tight for the first 7-8 dives and now fits well with no trimming, no leaks. Just make sure it isnt soo tight you faint.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

Try stretching the neck seal over a tank for three days, wrist seals over bottles. Mine was pretty dang tight for the first 7-8 dives and now fits well with no trimming, no leaks. Just make sure it isnt soo tight you faint.

That loosens latex seals a smidge, but they're not designed to stretch and stay stretched too much. Neoprene seals are a different story... the procedure you outline is a mandatory part of getting the seals to fit right. Latex seals are designed to be trimmed, though. There is a mild relaxing that happens (and is accelerated with your method), but we're only talking maybe a 1/2 ring cut's worth. New seals generally need to be cut to a certain extent. Some are even a closed cone, which obviously MUST be cut.