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The web page for my original H-Plate single tank travel steel backplate went up in early 2004, followed by the Aluminium Hplate Mk II in 2007 and a Standard Aluminium backplate in 2008. Ever since the beginning, I've received a steady trickle of emails from people interested in designing or making their own backplate - mostly asking for an electronic copy of the design. Well, I've finally downloaded a copy of inkscape, and produced something to share. This is the basic template for my full-size backplate, with alternative fold patterns for dedicated single-tank use, or, conventional use (with a twinset/single tank adapter/wings with built-in stabilisation). To this basic template, you can make whatever modifications - larger or smaller, multiple bolt holes, accessory holes round the edge, more cam-band slots, handles, fold the bottom corners etc - are required to make the backplate of your dreams. (I can't do all the work here - besides, coming up with the design is half the fun to my mind. :-)) Huw Porter Backplate by Huw Porter is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. Download a full-size PDF here, or below is a detailed image of the design: |
Note: I don't have AutoCAD - or anything similar - nor will I be buying a copy just to make a AutoCAD version. (...Though if anyone wants to pay for a copy for me, I'd be happy to produce a CAD version in return. ;-)) Don't fancy this version? There are several others floating around the web, including:
http://www.duikforum.nl/knutsel-hobbywerk/5394-backplate.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/288472-diy-backplate.html
http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/stuff/plate.zip
I've also written up some of the knowledge I've gained during the process of making my plates.
Good luck, and, please, drop me a line if you do succesfully make a plate for yourself...!
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