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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.
swimjim
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:34 pm

P.S. Your DivAir looks great!

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Vancetp
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:48 pm

Check your company snail mail in a few days, Eben. I've sent you something to make your DivAir stock and OEM accurate! They aren't easy to find, but I did eventually.

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Vancetp
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Thu Dec 10, 2020 9:09 pm

Here's the Roberts DivAir diagram/parts list:

ImageDivAir parts by Vancetp, on Flickr

It shows the weird original diaphragm, which is a couple of metal plates with a sheet of rubber squished in between and draping down. I guess the retainer band made a good enough seal. Several people have made diaphragms like the original using the OEM plates and some kind of rubber sheet. I know of a couple that were made out of swim caps.

I tried to once. Mixed results. I also noticed the long fingered lever shown here.

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ScubaLawyer
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Sat Dec 12, 2020 2:23 pm

I probably posted these before but I still think they are cool! Diaphragm and hoses by Jeff H.

I took it out for a test dive a few weeks ago. GoPro crapped out on me so no pics at present. Took the reg down to 50 feet of ocean water. It breathes just like my '58 Mistral. Never got any water in the exhaust hose, even head down.

Amazing reg! Hats off to Bill Arpin!

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"The diver who collects specimens of underwater life has fun and becomes a keen underwater observer. .. seek slow-moving or attached organisms such as corals, starfish, or shelled creatures." (Golden Guide to Scuba Diving, 1968) :D

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SurfLung
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Wed Dec 16, 2020 2:05 pm

Thank You Vance!
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- I received the authentic DIVAIR fine screens and coarse screen/plate today. VERY NICE!
SurfLung
The Freedom and Simplicity of Vintage Equipment and
Vintage Diving Technique are Why I Got Back Into Diving.

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Vancetp
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Location: Belmont CA

Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:35 pm

You are so welcome. These were OEM parts, but a sintered filter will work (better), too. Any one else need some of the fine screens? I have a bunch.

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SurfLung
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Fri Dec 18, 2020 4:50 pm

Blue Hoses from Scuba Museum
- I forgot to mention I got my blue hoses from Rob at the Scuba Museum. They are the new production silicone type... Identical to the silicone black, yellow, gray, and green hoses he sell but these are made in blue. He has blue mounthpieces, too... I'm going with the gray one on my DIVAIR so it will look like the blue hose/Hope-Page set up of the original regulator.
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SurfLung
The Freedom and Simplicity of Vintage Equipment and
Vintage Diving Technique are Why I Got Back Into Diving.

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SurfLung
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Mon Jan 18, 2021 12:19 pm

Forgot It Was There...
- I had a chance to try out my DIVAIR in the public pool yesterday (They finally opened back up from the 'rona shutdown). Rich and I were over there checking out our Cozumel Trip rigs... I'll be diving a Kraken and he'll be with a Phoenix... So we finished up our check out and I re-set up with a single 38 and my DIVAIR for some minimalist Vintage Double Hose diving.
- First impression was that it breathes just fine. But I was also checking out my yellow AMF Swimaster mask after installing a foam neoprene nose pad and new strap. And the mask seemed to have a very small leak. So, I was thinking about the mask leak, clearing it now and then and wondering if it was a hair in the seal or something else. So after awhile, swimming around quite a bit, I remembered I was breathing with the DIVAIR... And it was working just great! It was breathing so easily I forgot all about it.
- Checking out the exhaust... Remember the exhaust doesn't have a dockbill or mushroom valve. There's one in the mouthpiece is all. Anyway, I dove for about 15-20 minutes and the whole time my mouthpice was nice and dry. So, the DIVAIR exhaust system works fine.
- Checking out the reserve valve... I didn't breathe down far enough to NEED the reserve. But I was able to check out my ability to reach back behind my head and move the lever on and off reserve. That seemed to work better than I expected , too.
- All in all the first dive with my DIVAIR was just about perfect. :)
SurfLung
The Freedom and Simplicity of Vintage Equipment and
Vintage Diving Technique are Why I Got Back Into Diving.

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2THDIVR
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:37 am

With all the talk about the Divair i finally dug out the 2 I got about 10 years ago.
Contacted Jeff and got a diaphgram.
There is now 1 more working Divair.
Might not be the prettiest.
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Vancetp
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Fri Jan 29, 2021 1:22 pm

Nice! I love to see a DivAir working again.

That is an interesting yoke on your DivAir. In the bottom photo, it has the correct one. Was it broken? Or just too corroded?

If you contact me and send your address, I'll send you some slot head stainless screws that are more original looking than the hex head screws. The only place I could find to buy single acorn nuts was McMaster-Carr. They were hideously expensive plus an outrageous shipping fee. You can buy a package of 200 for $150 on eBay, but you'd have a few left over!

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2THDIVR
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:04 pm

The yoke is one I had in a box of parts. The originals were pretty corroded as was everything else.
Had to have something shinny on the reg.
Thanks for the offer of the screws. I will live with the ones I have.
The nuts are nylon locking and the hex head will be easier to hold.

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Vancetp
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Fri Jan 29, 2021 8:00 pm

How much effort did it take to get the nozzle out? I've never been successful even on a metal DivAir.

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2THDIVR
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:22 am

One came out easily, the working one, the other is still stuck.
Have been hitting it with penetrating oil and heat, it'll come out some day.
One reg has the long lever the rebuilt one the short.
any advantage to either?

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Vancetp
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:02 am

Which lever?

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2THDIVR
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Re: Divair Plastic vs Metal

Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:28 am

Rereading the posts I have one with the ajustment screw and one with out.
The one without the screw seemed longer.
The ajustable one is the rebuilt.

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