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Discussion of diving methods and equipment available prior to the development of BCDs beyond the horse collar. This forum is dedicated to the pre-1970 diving.
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Bryan
Plank Owner
Posts: 5279
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:44 pm

Do not despair. After I got home and put them on a couple of cylinders with different valves I realized that they did not fit some of the early USD valves with the larger O’rings. Rob was kind enough to do some measuring and changed the drawing for the shop and I expect them to fit all valves now. Week to 10 days and we should have these in stock.
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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Bryan
Plank Owner
Posts: 5279
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:52 pm

Just got my 1st complete shipment of Mar-Mac style banjo fittings. They look fantastic! I will test a few of them just to make sure they are 100% ready to go and unless something unusual comes up, they will go on sale November 24th.
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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Bryan
Plank Owner
Posts: 5279
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:24 pm

PILE O BANJO's
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Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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treasureman
Master Diver
Posts: 412
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: Ottawa Canada
Contact: Website

Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:22 pm

My DAAMS AND RAMS are crying to have a banjo. They have threatened to go on strike if I dont get them their own banjos
NAVED # 133...

Bon Vivant, and treasure finder

standingup

Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:31 pm

My "Bryan" RAM is begging for a banjo-Need a tester perhaps? Nov 24th better get here soon.

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1969ivan1
Plank Owner
Posts: 1657
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 12:15 pm
First Name: rob
Location: CINCINNATI, OHIO

Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:33 am

They look reall crappy!!!!!!! They are way too shiney and tough looking. I mean why would you make them out of stainless steel? If I buy one or two they will never bend or deform! I will have my banjo forever. Also, what is the deal with the low price. At that price I will have to buy 2 of them. Heck, I may have to give them for Xmas and Kwanza gifts! :P

Great job Bryan, can't wait to get mine!

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captain
Plank Owner
Posts: 1440
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:32 am
Location: LaPlace, LA

Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:09 am

35 years ago I couldn't give them away. Everybody wanted them new fangled regulators with the SPG attached. That's why I still have one from back then.
Captain

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OystrPir8
Skin Diver
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:41 pm
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact: Website AOL

Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:39 am

No - joke _ I haven't watched the calendar so hard since I was a kid & my birthdday was coming. tick.......



tick.....








tick....
Be a gruntled diver.

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OystrPir8
Skin Diver
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:41 pm
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact: Website AOL

the fret board

Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:45 am

Actually - can somone clarify for me - It looks like there are two models of the new banjo. One has a short shaved away section or neck and one has a long shaved away section. At least that's what Ive noticed in the photos.

I just got a DA AM. Which one should I have - or are they both ok?

Still learning,
Robb
Be a gruntled diver.

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Bryan
Plank Owner
Posts: 5279
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:53 am

One side is flat to allow it to set almost flush against the cylinder valve. The other side is round. They are all the same banjo fitting.

BTW, this is the OLDEST style fitting made pre USD by Mar-Mac in the late 50's. They were originally made in brass but when I re did them I had them done in stainless for strenght.
If you have an early model DA, it will have a short yoke and 99% of the time you cannot use the brass USD style with it as there is not enough space to slip the banjo between the regulator nozzle and the valve. The stainless one is much thinner and so far has worked on all valve/regulator combinations.

Both the brass USD style and stainless banjos are good though
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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Bryan
Plank Owner
Posts: 5279
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:35 pm

Well …..I may have stubbed my toe a bit on the banjos…After a visit to my local dive shop I ran across a couple of cylinder valves that they will not work with. If everyone still used ½” post valves we would have been in business a month or so ago but since there are so many variables these days it is harder to get one that works with all of them.
I know that many of you travel and don’t always have your own cylinders with you so I feel it is imperative that I tinker a bit more and get just the right fit with the vast majority of the valves that are out there or that you might encounter when renting cylinders. I don’t want to get an angry phone call from one of you guys while you are out in BFE trying to dive because the banjo won’t work with the particular valve on the cylinder you rented.
They are back in a box and on their way UPS Red label and hopefully the machinist can make the November 24th deadline. Worst case scenario we will be a few days behind. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

standingup

Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:20 pm

Interesting , any idea what route the UPS truck will be traveling ? and where the driver will stop for lunch ?

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Bryan
Plank Owner
Posts: 5279
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:17 pm

To the UPS Hub in Lenexa Kansas. 435 north to the UPS hub at KCI Airport......That's as far as I know. Since I specified 10:30 a.m. delivery I doubt he will stop for lunch before delivering the box to the machine shop.

You will be much happier with the refined product. Valves have changed a lot in 50 years!
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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treasureman
Master Diver
Posts: 412
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: Ottawa Canada
Contact: Website

Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:14 pm

Hey rob... you can put me on your Kwanza list for a banjo or two... perhaps even 3 ... it is afterall more blessed to give than receive
NAVED # 133...

Bon Vivant, and treasure finder

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OystrPir8
Skin Diver
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:41 pm
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact: Website AOL

skinny banjo

Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:27 pm

Got it - Thanks Bryan - and thank you for the constant tinkering and refining. You've really gone out of your way.

Yep - my new DA has the short yoke and when I put it on my tank I am hard pressed to see how a banjo could fit in between. This must be amazingly thin - if that doesn't work, it's time to go valve shopping.

I want to get this in the water already.

Thanks again,
Robb
Be a gruntled diver.

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