spring straps anyone?

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

I fairly certain that what you are able to make cost you th same or more NO?

I went in on a group purchase when I got the springs and saved a few bucks that way, so I think the three sets I made cost me just over $25 each.

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

I would think that you could not duplicate the ruber part ofthe straps. I make my own stuff too but this nah!

I definately could have... thermoplastic would have made it easy, but I don't see any need for changing what I have now. Even with 5mm gloves or "smurf" drygloves, it's a snap to grip the clear tubing, which is quite comfortable.

Also, because the stainless "s-hooks" I used for attachment points can be closed to a narrower gap than the thickness of the posts on the fins, the straps aren't coming off unless I remove them intentionally.

[Jipps]

nice lookin straps silvia. What type/strength springs did u use, and how did u connect the s-hooks. Been thinkin of makin a pair for my atomic split fins.

[coralcrazed]

Originally Posted by Jipps

nice lookin straps silvia. What type/strength springs did u use, and how did u connect the s-hooks. Been thinkin of makin a pair for my atomic split fins.

are you kidding... it cost him $25 on a group buy... price out the parts at mcmaster carr and you will see that its even more than that. just spend the $7 more and buy the manufactured ones. If not from Scubatoys others have it cheaper too now.

I'm all for DIY but only when it makes scense... its doesn't here. that looks so home made that the only thing left of is the pot handle and it probably digs into your achilies tendon... The tilos are sweet they have a nice seat that does not dig and spreads the load of the spring... those springs are pretty powerful... Just buy it. there are so many other places to get these other than ST if you want to price it out.

Its not worth the $7 savings IMO...

[Charlotte Smith]

Its not worth the $7 savings IMO

To each his own.......right?

[RonFrank]

These are not much different than most other spring straps on the market. The Blue Reef (LP) are almost exactly the same. I own both Blue Reef, and Manta Straps. They both work well, but the Manta's seem to have a bit heavier spring.

Folks have been making their own spring straps for some time now. I think the cost is less then $20. Nothing wrong with DIY projects like that even if I chose not to bother for the $10 or so savings. However there was a time when a *cheap* spring strap was $50, and they were not available for SP, and Atomic fins. As Spring Straps have become more popular, the princes have gone down. There are a lot of manufactures like EZSpringStraps, OMS, Blue Reef, Tilos, Manta, Scubapro, Apollo, and XS scuba. This is an item where one can often throw the LDS a bone, and purchase locally. My LDS sells these for only a couple bucks more than online retails, so with shipping, buying locally actually may save you some $$$ (a very rare case indeed unfortunately!).

I would recommend Spring Straps to ANYONE. This is one of those inexpensive items that make a big difference. However to suggest that the Tilos strap is vastly superior IMO is stretching it!



These are the Blue Reef Spring Straps.. Look very similar..no? As for the spring catching neoprene booties.. well that just does not happen, so the added covering is IMO not necessary, or a big selling point. It also will not fully cover the spring once it is stretched and on the foot.

[Charlotte Smith]

Originally Posted by RonFrank

These are not much different than most other spring straps on the market. The Blue Reef (LP) are almost exactly the same. I own both Blue Reef, and Manta Straps. They both work well, but the Manta's seem to have a bit heavier spring.

Folks have been making their own spring straps for some time now. I think the cost is less then $20. Nothing wrong with DIY projects like that even if I chose not to bother for the $10 or so savings. However there was a time when a *cheap* spring strap was $50. As they have become more popular, the princes have gone down.

I would recommend Spring Straps to ANYONE. This is one of those inexpensive items that make a big difference. However to suggest that the Tilos strap is vastly superior IMO is stretching it!



These are the Blue Reef Spring Straps.. Look very similar..no? As for the spring catching neoprene booties.. well that just does not happen, so the added covering is IMO not necessary, or a big selling point. It also will not fully cover the spring once it is stretched and on the foot.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!!!

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

that looks so home made that the only thing left of is the pot handle

It IS home made. You say that like it's supposed to be a bad thing. I'm not partial to things that look mass-produced, so much as I am to things that work very well. I can tell they're mine, and they aren't likely to be stolen. You may see that as ugly. I see it as a feature.

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

and it probably digs into your achilies tendon

It most certainly does not.

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

Its not worth the $7 savings IMO...

Quite possibly not, but I made them several years ago, and may have overestimated the cost... now that I think about it, the springs themselves couldn't have been more than $6 each, and the other parts are even less. In any case, when I built them the alternative to DIY was $65 springs. It's up to you whether or not you think a small savings is too high a price to pay for the satisfaction of making your own gear, the knowledge that they're sized just right for you, and confidence that your spring straps won't slip off the posts. It was definitely worth it for $40+ savings.

For those who want to give it a try though, I used Long Type 302 SS Extension Spring 11" Length, 1/2" OD, .062" Wire Diameter from McMaster Carr. The S-hooks slip over the posts easily, and then get squeezed shut with channel locks or a vice. A length of cave line restricts how far they can be pulled, so they don't overstretch and deform, and heat-shrink tubing over the s-hooks reduces the chance of entanglement. The clear tubing also helps prevent line trapping, and adds comfort.

There are instructions online at this site that are similar to what I did, except for the s-hooks and a few minor details. Stainless Steel Spring Scuba Fin Straps

[caroln]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

For those who want to give it a try though, I used Long Type 302 SS Extension Spring 11" Length, 1/2" OD, .062" Wire Diameter from McMaster Carr. The S-hooks slip over the posts easily, and then get squeezed shut with channel locks or a vice. A length of cave line restricts how far they can be pulled, so they don't overstretch and deform, and heat-shrink tubing over the s-hooks reduces the chance of entanglement. The clear tubing also helps prevent line trapping, and adds comfort.

There are instructions online at this site that are similar to what I did, except for the s-hooks and a few minor details. Stainless Steel Spring Scuba Fin Straps

I saw a pair that looked exactly like yours on one of the assistants in my buoyancy class. IMO they look good--the clear covering does the job and doesn't affect the look in any way. These are good for situations where you have entanglement concerns because there's nothing sticking out, it's all very rounded and clean. If I was any way mechanically inclined I'd give it a try, but I have to pay the premium to have someone else do it since I'm not

[coralcrazed]

Originally Posted by RonFrank

Look very similar..no? As for the spring catching neoprene booties.. well that just does not happen, so the added covering is IMO not necessary, or a big selling point. It also will not fully cover the spring once it is stretched and on the foot.

Yeah they look sinilar but nope not the same at all. I happen to think that the tubing that covers the spring in one monolythic piece IS far superior to others... Is it a bigdifference? perhaps not to some. Do I think others are comperable... sure. even a DIY. But its still NOT the same. It just isn't. sorry!

[coralcrazed]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

I went in on a group purchase when I got the springs and saved a few bucks that way, so I think the three sets I made cost me just over $25 each.

I definately could have... thermoplastic would have made it easy, but I don't see any need for changing what I have now. Even with 5mm gloves or "smurf" drygloves, it's a snap to grip the clear tubing, which is quite comfortable.

Also, because the stainless "s-hooks" I used for attachment points can be closed to a narrower gap than the thickness of the posts on the fins, the straps aren't coming off unless I remove them intentionally.

I'm happy that they work well for you. I really am. Its great that you DIY... I do many DIY projects when they make sence to do. However, I am a stikler for function AND aesthetics. Now looking at your straps... they may be functional for YOU however, placing a clear plastic tube as a buffer will not feel the same on your achillies tendon as a fully flat surface. I can direct you to structural surface tention calculations if youd like but you can't say that the surface contact on a round profile (clear tube) against any surface is the same as the flat surface of the Tilos plastic backs.

Now on the aesthetics... If I had an old pair of fins that look like the ones that you show in the picture I too would not care much on how the straps look.