Hello everybody,
My name is Mike, and at 57 find myself finally able (with time, more than money) to get into scuba diving. Various stuff had always happened that caused me to delay it.
At least I want to see if I can do it, after realizing that over the years, I have developed a bit of claustrophobia. Not exactly my first choice of a thing to have, as a potential diver. I didn't notice it as a baby watching Sea Hunt while swimming on the floor. But old Mike Nelson inspired me and I've always wanted to dive since seeing him and that show.
As a bonus, I had an uncle who was a Navy diver, and another hero of mine.
Enough about me.
What I am doing is slowly, and I hope carefully, getting some gear together, just in case I can actually complete a course and get certified.
Honestly I enjoy working on this cool old stuff a lot, maybe more than I will enjoy using it. I've always enjoyed working on stuff and made a living doing that, in various forms, for most of my life.
First thing was discovering VDH and realizing maybe I wouldn't have to look like an alien with all the new (to me) gear and scary looking setups commonly used these days. I'd definitely want to do it vintage style.
I bought a kit for a RAM here, some parts from Rob, and have a harness coming from Allan. All really great guys, from what I have experienced. Upon receipt of an IP gauge I recently ordered so I can do the adjustments, hope to have my first self-restored double hose regulator. Bryan is, as you know, very helpful and patient with us new guys. He suggested I ask my question to the forum here, when I emailed him asking about seals I need to restore an older USD J-valve.
The way I understand it by looking through manuals and parts breakdowns, and I could be wrong here, is they made changes in the seals used over the years. I can't seem to find a kit - or even individual pieces, I need for my particular J-valve.
I took a a couple of pictures of my valve disassembled, which I hope to be able to attach here when I'm done typing this.
I am hoping somebody could help by pointing to a link or source where I can buy these.
Any ideas or advice is welcome. I appreciate your experience and willingness to share your accumulated knowledge in a field that likely would have been abandoned many years ago if not for you all, who want to preserve the coolness and simple elegance of vintage diving.
Thanks,
Mike