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Re: DIY thread

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:11 pm
by airsix
AquaticEngineer wrote:Where are you guys getting the water tight canisters for housing the batteries in?
The short answer is we build them. Most of us are using plastic pipe (PVC is most common) and fitting them with custom lids and bases made from PVC, acetal, HDPE, etc. Get a copy of this book. It's full of great canister-building information. The battery and bulb info is dated, but the sections on canister building are still valid and as useful as ever.

Here are a couple of shots of my most recent DIY canister. It was made from PVC and shot with a coat of bedliner. The canister has been in service since 2009 but the lid is a newer one I built last summer as an upgrade. The canister base is stepped just like the lid (1 inch recess) and is solvent-welded in place. You can easily knock out a basic canister on a Saturday morning with just hand tools. Even quicker if you have a well equipped workshop.

Ben

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Re: DIY thread

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:24 pm
by Dusty2
Yep, Build em. Hardest part of the whole project. Used to be able to get a good starter can from OMS but they quit making them.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:36 pm
by camerone
The nice part is that NiMH and especially lithium batteries are now so small that even a mini-lathe (7x12 or 7x14) is more than capable of cranking out canisters and lids. The old lead acid or NiCads used to require serious shop equipment to build.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:45 pm
by AquaticEngineer
Thanks guys :D

I gotta go pick up some clear PVC pipe tomorrow for a slurp gun I'm building so I think I will grab some 2" or 3" schedule 80 pipe, a cap, and a test plug while I'm at the plumbing store and get started on the housing.

Anyone ever go this route with their canister?

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:48 am
by Nwbrewer
I wouldn't go with the test cap, they start to leak after a while.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:18 am
by Dusty2
Nwbrewer wrote:I wouldn't go with the test cap, they start to leak after a while.
+1 on that

You have a hardware store that carries clear PVC pipe? I've seen tubing but not pipe.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:35 am
by CaptnJack
Just FYI you do not want to use acrylic pipe or tube which is commonly available clear. Its brittle and will crack easily.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:50 am
by Nwbrewer
CaptnJack wrote:Just FYI you do not want to use acrylic pipe or tube which is commonly available clear. Its brittle and will crack easily.
I read it as he's going to get some clear for a different project, and some Sched. 80 for the canister.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:31 pm
by AquaticEngineer
Nwbrewer wrote:
CaptnJack wrote:Just FYI you do not want to use acrylic pipe or tube which is commonly available clear. Its brittle and will crack easily.
I read it as he's going to get some clear for a different project, and some Sched. 80 for the canister.
I was originally going use clear PVC on my canister and my slurp gun since I didnt want to use acrylic tube.

After calling around and finding the best deal on clear 3" PVC pipe was $102 for an 8 ft section(which is actually a really good price) and that they would only sell the whole piece, I decided I'll probably do everything out of schedule 80 instead since I can get it by the foot.

If my test runs of everthing work the way I want them to I may get the clear PVC later, just for cool factor ;)

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:35 pm
by H20doctor
Light cans are made of many things.. Abs, pvc, and stuff.. Cans can be built in about an hour.. But then you need 24 hrs for glue to dry

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:48 pm
by Jeff Pack
Or machine it from solid Delrin.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:37 pm
by H20doctor
Delrin.. Is very expensive

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:38 pm
by Dusty2
Jeff Pack wrote:Or machine it from solid Delrin.
If you got lots of bucks. That stuff is like gold. Even in 3" ID by 3.5" OD tube your talking 27 bucks a foot
3.5" solid is $50 a ft.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:16 am
by airsix
H20doctor wrote:Delrin.. Is very expensive
And standing in front of a lathe while you bore it out at the rate of 0.005" per pass is like watching paint dry.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:21 am
by Dusty2
airsix wrote:
H20doctor wrote:Delrin.. Is very expensive
And standing in front of a lathe while you bore it out at the rate of 0.005" per pass is like watching paint dry.
:nutty:

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:20 pm
by airsix
Dusty2 wrote:
airsix wrote:
H20doctor wrote:Delrin.. Is very expensive
And standing in front of a lathe while you bore it out at the rate of 0.005" per pass is like watching paint dry.
:nutty:

Okay, so teach me how to make deep boring cuts that don't just flex the boring bar!* :smt064



*crappy little toy import lathe & boring bar holder that only takes 3/8" shank boring bars.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:57 pm
by Dusty2
airsix wrote:
Dusty2 wrote:
airsix wrote:
H20doctor wrote:Delrin.. Is very expensive
And standing in front of a lathe while you bore it out at the rate of 0.005" per pass is like watching paint dry.
:nutty:

Okay, so teach me how to make deep boring cuts that don't just flex the boring bar!* :smt064



*crappy little toy import lathe & boring bar holder that only takes 3/8" shank boring bars.
Haha, U answered you own question with the last line! :neener:

You need a real lathe not an expensive toy.
jet-1340.jpg

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:21 am
by H20doctor
But that lathe needs a trained operator.. And skill.. Even a small sears wood lathe needs care and talent to make canisters, and parts which = time .. And for me time is limited.. I give kudos to a lathe person and using a caliper.. But for me its just a hobby and fun building and creating something I built from scratch.. From an idea to a finished product.. Thats cool for me

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:32 am
by BASSMAN
:popcorn:

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:24 am
by airsix
Dusty2 wrote: Haha, U answered you own question with the last line! :neener:

You need a real lathe not an expensive toy.
jet-1340.jpg
Yep. That was my point. Someday the size of my work space, projects and budget might justify serious equipment, but not today.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:54 am
by CaptnJack
airsix wrote:
Dusty2 wrote: Haha, U answered you own question with the last line! :neener:

You need a real lathe not an expensive toy.
jet-1340.jpg
Yep. That was my point. Someday the size of my work space, projects and budget might justify serious equipment, but not today.
Put the kids to work. :ballandchain: Or sell one to Rumplestiltskin.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:48 pm
by defied
CaptnJack wrote:Put the kids to work. :ballandchain: Or sell one to Rumplestiltskin.
If I could have done that, I'd have a Friggin C&C in my dive locker!

D

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:07 pm
by Jeff Pack
Dusty2 wrote:
airsix wrote:
Dusty2 wrote:
airsix wrote:
H20doctor wrote:Delrin.. Is very expensive
And standing in front of a lathe while you bore it out at the rate of 0.005" per pass is like watching paint dry.
:nutty:

Okay, so teach me how to make deep boring cuts that don't just flex the boring bar!* :smt064



*crappy little toy import lathe & boring bar holder that only takes 3/8" shank boring bars.
Haha, U answered you own question with the last line! :neener:




You need a real lathe not an expensive toy.
jet-1340.jpg
That is my lathe. Jet gear head 13x40.

No mouse lathes in my shop. Have dro's on the x and y axis.

Well built lathe.

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:20 pm
by Nwbrewer
Jeff Pack wrote:
That is my lathe. Jet gear head 13x40.

No mouse lathes in my shop. Have dro's on the x and y axis.

Well built lathe.

And you BOUGHT a canlight? WTF?

Re: DIY thread

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:27 pm
by Jeff Pack
Machining a can, easy

Building a light head, etc out of my league...