Vintage Double Hose

Posted: **Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:18 pm**

Here is one of Rob's superb Healthways main diaphragm reproductions next to an original from a HW Scuba 1st gen that has a top plate. My question: is there any benefit (or detriment) to having a top plate affixed?

Posted: **Wed Sep 05, 2018 3:06 am**

My personal opinion is NO! On the original diaphragms, the top plate might have been there to ensure strength and seal protection due to the materials being used, just a guess. With Rob's new silicon diaphragms I have found no evidence of seepage into the air chamber. The top rivet point can protect the seal and in some cases, I have shortened and compressed that rivet a little more at times, so as to tweak the reg for easier breathing effort as the rivet is IMO a little high, especially in the 1955 model. I've rebuilt 4 Healthways using Rob's diaphragms and they breath great.

Posted: **Thu Sep 06, 2018 10:01 am**

Bronze06 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 05, 2018 3:06 am
My personal opinion is NO! On the original diaphragms, the top plate might have been there to ensure strength and seal protection due to the materials being used, just a guess. With Rob's new silicon diaphragms I have found no evidence of seepage into the air chamber. The top rivet point can protect the seal and in some cases, I have shortened and compressed that rivet a little more at times, so as to tweak the reg for easier breathing effort as the rivet is IMO a little high, especially in the 1955 model. I've rebuilt 4 Healthways using Rob's diaphragms and they breath great.

Thanks for responding Russ. I think you're right, I don't see how it would make much of a difference other than to clamp the bottom plate tighter to the diaphragm. Not sure that helps any. If I want to be authentic I guess I could drill out Rob's pop rivet, add the old upper plate and pop rivet it all together again. Sort of sounds like overkill.

I shall continue to ponder the issue over a single malt and a Monte Cristo No. 2

Posted: **Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:07 pm**

That sounds like a great way to ponder to me.

Vintage Double Hose

HW main diaphragm top plate question

HW main diaphragm top plate question

Re: HW main diaphragm top plate question

Re: HW main diaphragm top plate question

Re: HW main diaphragm top plate question