Hookah Harness

[simonbeans]

If I have posted this in the wrong section, please move to when it belongs. I have a customer who would like me to make a vintage hookah harness for his DA AM. I have never seen one other than the photos in USD catalogs and a couple of other places. My problem is that I am not sure how the front of the harness was made. I have an idea, based on past experience with original tank harnesses of various configurations, but if anyone has one or has knowledge of this type of harness I would be most grateful for your assistance. Here are two photos from a 1959 USD catalog showing the rear side of the reg with hookah harness and a closeup of the harness. This seems rather simple, but the question is what is the front side like? Thanks for any help.



Allan

[standingup]

If memory serves me- there were two straps that buckled like your tank harness -one on each arm. Imagine your tank harness without the waist strap.

[simonbeans]

My request a few days ago for assistance in reproducing a hookah harness for a DA AM or RAM was fulfilled with tremendous assistance. I have known and fully realize again that these vintage forums are absolutely the greatest. Today, after viewing the tremedous information I received from Karl Gehring, Standingup, SeaRat, Jamie P, Dan Barringer, my brother Rob aka realivan, Niels Sejr Oxenvad from Denmark and most recently with the "key" to my dilema, Mike Ovanessian, I endeavored to reproduce a 1959 USD hookah harness for a DA Aqua-master. Here is the result:






When a great customer asked if I had ever made one of these, I really didn't know what they looked like. But I think, thanks to all the great assistance, this is very close to the originals. You might wonder why there is so much webbing looped in the front. Well, most of the harnesses I make are not even close to the "standard size" of the orginals. So I made this one with a little extra to enable my "larger" dive buddies the use of this harness. I am just a little guy and the extra webbing makes the big loops. Thanks friends for helping me in my goal.
Allan

[crimediver]

Looks pretty neat. I have done some surface supplied diving and have fooled with some homemade setups. I was unfamiliar with the hookah arrangement with the double hose reg. Now it is a little clearer. It looks like it appears to be used without a tank for a bailout, thus the need for this harness. Seems pretty strange at first because I used bailouts with gas switching block, check valves, etc. But that was in the days of old when divers were bold.

[swimjim]

All my surface supplied diving was with the old DESCO triangle mask. This set up would be the cats a**. Personally I'd rather do open circuit in the end. More flexible and less dependeant on topside personal.

Jim

[fishb0y]

Wow Simonbeans... truly a work of art.

Just curious, what do you use to attach the rivets for your harnesses?

[simonbeans]

I am not sure what you are asking. They are two piece rivets that use a setting tool. Once they are in, you have to drill them out. You learn very quickly to measure twice before installing them. Made of copper, they keep going up in price each time I order more.

[vintagemike6]

great job allen! looks just like the original real deal! And you are right about good people stepping up to help out when you ask these vintage forms for info.allen, please send me info when you know price and manufacture ETA.
i recently bought one of allens u.s. divers tank harness setups and a travel harness setup and his work is first class! thanks allen,
mike

[1969ivan1]

Once again Allan makes a fantastic useable reproduction harness. Well done my Czech brother.

[21]

[quote="simonbeans"]I am not sure what you are asking. They are two piece rivets that use a setting tool. Once they are in, you have to drill them out. You learn very quickly to measure twice before installing them. Made of copper, they keep going up in price each time I order more.[/quote]
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When I was making harnesses I purchased them at a company which Ithink is I think totally out of business--"Tandy leather company." I recall Tandy was purchased by Radio Shack.

They were called simply "Harness rivets" and were used by horse men, ranchers, cowboys to make and repair leather harnesses. Now most use cloth harness.

However you might locate them and obtain a better price at a farm or Ranch supply store.

sdm

[Sniox]

Hi Allan.

I am glad I could help you out.
What a beauty you made there!
It is a really good idea about the extra Webbing. A you know, I just got two sets of original La Spirotechnique Narguile Harness, but they nearly don’t fit a grown up man.

Sniox

Aka Niels Oxenvad

[simonbeans]

I am going to reproduce the one that goes on a spirotechnique. The great pictures that Niels sent me are of a harness that fits a Mistral with din fitting. I will have to adjust the size of the mounting ring to fit over the yoke of a DA AM. Here is the picture Niels sent to illustrate the difference between the USD harness and the Narghile.

[1stab]

That's a beautiful looking harness. Way to go Simonbeans.

I have a few pdf's on hookah contraptions that I'm sure can be easily adapted for double hose. I'll upload them soon so you guys can get them.

[JES]

Allan,

Very nice! But of course we have come to expect nothing less then the very best from such a skilled artisan.

[1stab]

Hey guys. I sent those pdf's in. Bryan was nice enough to have the pdf's on "Building your own hookah", and "improving your rig" approved. They're in the downloads section.

Jerry