My KISS Classic Stand
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:44 am
I am happy to share with everyone the stand I made for my KISS.
I'll start off with some random bits of info as to why I wanted the stand:
- I'm 6'1", It's a challenge to get into without a tall bench.
- I wanted somewhere to put my Argon Bottle
- I like the idea of sidemounting my BOBs
- I needed someway of lifting the thing without hurting my fingers
Enter, My 3D CAD software!
In a previous (working) life, I was a mechanical designer. Specifically, I worked with sheet metal, primarily SS.
I started with a list of things I wanted the stand to have.
- No Sharp Corners - all corners were to be rounded. All edges softened
- A lifting handle that doesn't get in the way of my hoses
- Easy to Travel with - Must break down to be no bigger than my CCR
- Somewhere to fit my argon bottle
- Height, for easier Donning and Doffing
- Simple to use/install
- light - I went with Aluminum- I don't need much weight as is (I'm down to 6 lbs, with al. tanks and drysuit)
- Ability to attach 'stuff' to it, including acting like a butt-plate for sidemounting
Then I started thinking ... What about the Sport KISS. I started chatting with a SK owner and he was nice enough to take some measurements for me. The design then was made to also fit a SK, with one part being replaced.
Thus, I produced the 'Travel Stand'
It wasn't cheap to get a single, one-of, made, but I think it was a good choice for me.
Taken apart (ie, for travel packing):
And Mounted on a Sport:
After several dives, I am quite happy with the way everything worked out. I have some new ideas, and have made drawings for them too. Little things I learned from the first stand to make it fit my needs even better:
- No tools required for removing the Back-plate
- A little shorter (I was having a little trouble reaching the bottom)
- A little smaller Handle
- A place to attache zip-ties to the handle for holding extra gear (ie, zip-tie on a D-ring for holding stuff up while not wearing the unit.
- An Argon Bottle mounting bracket - so the bottle isn't right up against the side of the stand - I found it hard to attach things easily. At the moment, I've rigged somethign up that works, but kinda looks stupid (so no pictures )
Once I get some spare cash, I'm going to get the new one made. I'll try to post some pics for that too - but it may be a while I have other stuff I need to buy first
Some Pics of the new design:
If anyone is interested in more pictures, You can find them here:
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk15 ... Prototype/
What do you folks think??
Scott
I'll start off with some random bits of info as to why I wanted the stand:
- I'm 6'1", It's a challenge to get into without a tall bench.
- I wanted somewhere to put my Argon Bottle
- I like the idea of sidemounting my BOBs
- I needed someway of lifting the thing without hurting my fingers
Enter, My 3D CAD software!
In a previous (working) life, I was a mechanical designer. Specifically, I worked with sheet metal, primarily SS.
I started with a list of things I wanted the stand to have.
- No Sharp Corners - all corners were to be rounded. All edges softened
- A lifting handle that doesn't get in the way of my hoses
- Easy to Travel with - Must break down to be no bigger than my CCR
- Somewhere to fit my argon bottle
- Height, for easier Donning and Doffing
- Simple to use/install
- light - I went with Aluminum- I don't need much weight as is (I'm down to 6 lbs, with al. tanks and drysuit)
- Ability to attach 'stuff' to it, including acting like a butt-plate for sidemounting
Then I started thinking ... What about the Sport KISS. I started chatting with a SK owner and he was nice enough to take some measurements for me. The design then was made to also fit a SK, with one part being replaced.
Thus, I produced the 'Travel Stand'
It wasn't cheap to get a single, one-of, made, but I think it was a good choice for me.
Taken apart (ie, for travel packing):
And Mounted on a Sport:
After several dives, I am quite happy with the way everything worked out. I have some new ideas, and have made drawings for them too. Little things I learned from the first stand to make it fit my needs even better:
- No tools required for removing the Back-plate
- A little shorter (I was having a little trouble reaching the bottom)
- A little smaller Handle
- A place to attache zip-ties to the handle for holding extra gear (ie, zip-tie on a D-ring for holding stuff up while not wearing the unit.
- An Argon Bottle mounting bracket - so the bottle isn't right up against the side of the stand - I found it hard to attach things easily. At the moment, I've rigged somethign up that works, but kinda looks stupid (so no pictures )
Once I get some spare cash, I'm going to get the new one made. I'll try to post some pics for that too - but it may be a while I have other stuff I need to buy first
Some Pics of the new design:
If anyone is interested in more pictures, You can find them here:
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk15 ... Prototype/
What do you folks think??
Scott