Cheap Hard ware store alternatives and such...

[sdalcher]

Ok we had a great post on the main Forum about low cost alternatives to ultra expensive cave gear, like $2 clothesline reels and such. What else have people found to cut cost corners. Also who can put contact info for specific items, I would love to find the manufacturer or distributor of Butterfly Snaps.

Steve

[normblitch]

What else have people found to cut cost corners. Also who can put contact info for specific items, I would love to find the manufacturer or distributor of Butterfly Snaps.


Steve,

no help on Butterfly Snaps, but here are a few links for the the Solder-heads in the audience...

http://www.mouser.com

http://www.digikey.com

For more years than I care to admit, I have used Mouser and Digikey for prompt and complete offerings of electronic components, from SMD-sized to high-current app stuff...wholesale pricing over the counter (er, e-Commerce!), all varieties of specifications (feel better with Mil-Spec instead of Rat$hack?)..no minimum orders, quantity discounts, and super shipping...

Looking for flexible high-current wire? try Press the Wireman... http://thewireman.com/index.shtml ...mostly Ham coax, connectors, and skywire, but in addition the MOST flexible large gauge wires you can imagine...

For the more "adventureous", NO trip on I-4 near North Orlando is complete without a trip to SkyCraft... http://www.skycraftsurplus.com ...Skycraft is an electronics surplus barn of a place...you NEVER know what you can find, but ALL is priced WELL below belief!!

Happy Wiring!
73 de Norm KE4GAH

[sdalcher]

Let's see what other people have to add!

[sdalcher]

Share some of your little secrets. I modified a clothesline reel to make a pretty handy little hockeypuck jump reel(Thanks to an earlier post). I will post pictures in the next few days. I will post the construction process for an Oxygen analyzer also if people are interested.

Steve

[Deep-Thief]

O2 analyzer is a yes please. Also, if in need of some small D rings don't throw away any dog collars that are worn or broken. Cut the D's off first.

[sdalcher]

It will be after the beginning of the month as I will need to order some parts. We civil servanys aren't paid nearly enough!

Steve

[Deep-Thief]

There is a guy selling a kit that has all the parts and detailed instructions for about $90.00. I thought about buying one of those and giving it a try. Any thoughts and/or comments are appreciated. Before I do though I thought I would wait and see what you had. Only need it by first of April as I am coming down to the N. FL way to do some training.

[Deep-Thief]

Butterfly snaps would be available from your favorite and mine- Leisure Pro, when on their web site at the top is a spot for keyword. enter 1012 and it should take you right to it. $4.49ea. made of brass. There is also one that has some nylon attatched to a quick disconnect, enter UQM for approx. $5.95ea.

Now for a LITTLE secret. Please excuse me if you already know this one but it came up in another thread so I thought I would share. Tired of cutting your thumbs using your clips :?: Try using a file on them. When the clips are made they aren't very good with the molds. Use a small flat needle file to file down the channel the clip rides in. I do this to all my clips no matter the material it is made of. Its a real pain to hold the clip open but that is the most important part. I also do the bottom side while the clip is closed. If you look at your clips you should see the metal protruding up from the channel. Get it all. Thats all I have for today.

[sdalcher]

The last one I did, cost me about $25-$35 dollars as I recall most of it readily available from Radio Shack. The O2 sensor was the expensive part at $55 each if you bought 3.

Steve

[Deep-Thief]

Little Secret #2- If you need a handle to hold onto your first stage while servicing it try using an old CO2 cartridge. Get the kind that are threaded on the top and make sure that it has already been used. Screws in perfect after some of the hoses are removed.

[onetime]

I built an older version of Bob Boling's o2 analyzer and it's lasted several years with no problem. His site is a great resource for those who want to build one themselves.

http://members.cox.net/bee2/

[sdalcher]

Much more information than I would have put and much more informative for the average do-it-yourselfer! Great Post!