Cage Valves
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:02 am
by Nemrod
The exhaust valve of the Tekna T2100 series is only slightly smaller than the diameter of the reproduction cage valves. I think they would actually work. Of course, this company is and has been defunct for years and parts more rare than hens teeth but there must be another regulator with similar size vavles. Why the fuss--well--the Tekna valves are crystal clear and super soft silicone that last forever and breath effortlessly---like the silicone cage valves I got from Dan at Vintage Scuba Supply. They may turn a touch yellow over the years but they work as good today as the day I bought the things, both the ones from Dan and the ones from Tekna that are 25 years old.
James
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:45 am
by Bryan
I like the silicone valves better myself! The problem I ran into when I was looking to reproduce them was COST. I am sorry to say that the real solution for a small business person like myself is to have them re-produced overseas. I can have silicone valves done by the thousands but I have no real control over the quality of the product. USD/Tekna/Scubapro etc can afford a quality control person to be in the factory or at the very least they hire a local person to work directly with the plant production manager. Part of the way they keep the production cost down is by using a mold made from CARDBOARD. Mold cost is around 10% of the normal 12/24 cavity mold made from aluminum and the fabrication cost is very low. But after they run it a couple of hundred times the tolerances get a little sloppy and that's where you run into problems......And it's real easy to end up buying a pig in a poke and no way to get your money back.
I have been doing what I can to develop a good working relationship with the company that built the band clamps in China. They have an office in the US and have recently hired on someone that speaks ENGLISH! I have several products I will be looking to add to my parts line in 06 (NOT HOSES) So I expect to be working with them a lot. As my supply of current mouthpiece valves becomes exhausted I may look into it again.