Orange RENE marked triples in ORANGE by USD

[1969ivan1]

I was lucky enough to get a look at these rare tanks and manifold. Some of the things I noticed right off the bat.......NO hydro since new in 1957! Only 2 burst disks not three like all the others I have seen. Painted orange over the galvanizing and it looks factory done. The harness is in perfect shape like Allan made it yesterday except that it has the substandard rivets, not the good ones Allan uses. The tanks came into my control with 700 PSI in them! The mainifold is gorgeous and only needs a little cleaning to bring back the shine of the chrome.
Any thoughts on these tanks would be appreciated, especially inre the orange paint.

[Robohips77]

IMO after looking at the color of the paint I think it was done after factory. They look to be Hot dipp Galvanized and then a home paint job? But maybe some of the members like Phil or Dr. Miller could chime in with their knowledge.

Also most importantly Rob those tanks will definately kill you so............. you should immediatly give them to me to properly dispose of them.

[1969ivan1]

No way man! Those are some cherry RENE triples. They hardly look like they were ever dived! They are by far the nicest ones I have ever seen as far as condition goes. It seems almost a shame to hyrdo and dive them, but you know I will.

[USdiver]

Rob,

Looks like Chevrolet engine orange to me. Must have been a 1950s hot rodder's scuba set. I also second Roger's opinion. That old stuff needs to be disposed of properly, send it to me.

G

[Bryan]

If they look as good on the inside as the do out there is no way I would stamp anything on them period.....I am not telling anyone not to hydro...I'm just saying what I'd do if they were mine...Which they will be soon because they are dangerous and I don't want anything bad to happen to Rob so he's giving them to me.

[scubasteve59]

Dunk Em! Those puppies are destined for another 50 years of fun filled adventure...
Very, very, sweet.....

[Sea Explorer]

I'm with Bryan do not stamp! Vis and dive if you want but stamping a beautiful set like that with 2012 just ain't right.
Nice find.

-Ryan

[1969ivan1]

When is gets a little warmer I am going to break them down and take a looksee inside. Depending on what I find will determine what I will do. Of course for a fat kid to dive them I will have to pay all the dough to Allan for a nice new harness and safe guard the OEM one. I will also add some new burst disks and clean and rebuild the valve/manifold. I have a local buddy, Robohips, who is very helpful in these matters so I expect if all is well, I will be diving the Orange triples this spring.

I still don't know if I should strip the paint off of them or leave it. I was hoping that Dr Miller would chime in as I bet he knows if the paint is original or not for sure.

[Popeye]

Enough Talk.
Looks like a better set of triples then the first set you got. They didn't come painted someone did it later. You should have learned from your first set, these things take tender loving care, go back in the archives and read all the hints including how to make a wrench from heavy wall tubing for removing the valves without damaging them.
If they are going to be a wall hanger don't vis and hydro,don't touch them.
If you plan on diving them, make a record of which valve goes in which tank,you will want to put them back togeather the same way. laying on a piece of carpet on a large bench so you can work both sides, loosen everything,bands,valves and only then slid off bands, don't turn triples over, remember the center valve section. remove valves,inspect inside is they have had air in them this long should be Ok,,have Hydroed by someone who knows what they are doing. Again search archives for striping galv. cylinders.

My plans for my triples which I've owned since they were new when they go out of hydro is to take them to Amigos Dive Center in Fort White Florida,he has a guy who strips cylinders and refinished them like new.

[Bryan]

The procedure that Bernie outlined for us is in the download section. Here is a direct link.

Triple Cylinder R&R by Bernie Campoli

[1969ivan1]

Thanks to all for the tips and advice. Bernie, Tom, Roger, and others have been UBER helpful on my triples projects. I will keep you all posted how they turn out.