Let's make our own wetsuit

[Benjamin Lecler]

Hello freediver followers.

I've been thinking of making me a wetsuit all by myself. A lot of you probably had to repair your wetsuit before and are already used to cutting and gluing neoprene, and maybe some of you would also like to learn how to make a wetsuit and do it yourself. So that would be kewl if many people would also start making a wetsuit. we would share tips and techniques together. Maybe we could do a contest for the most original homemade wetsuit, or the most beautiful. With all the color of neoprene avalaible and with your talent, the possibilities are limitless.

That's my idea for today, see next week on "Let's make our own things" show, how to make your fins alone...

Benjamin L.

 

[Pablo]

:duh :duh :duh

I'm trying with fins (I have all the gear, materials and skills)... but a wet suit I'm afraid is way over DY! You need the machine $$$$$$$ the patterns and something like 5 years tailoring experience to have a chance.
Better spend my time underwater!

 

[Per]

Sounds like fun! I'm building a weight vest/harness type thing myself...

Good luck!

 

[Pablo]

That's interesting!

Has anyone dive with one of those... need to be be conformable.

Per, how far have you get... have you picts on any info? what are you using for weight?

 

[Per]

Hi, nope, no pictures yet.

I'm using three old weight belts and velcro to stick it together. We'll see how it turns out...

 

[distantman]

A friends dad was over on the weekend and mentioned that 30 years ago he bought a kit to make his own wetsuit. It had forms lilke a dress makers uses, neoprene glue and basic instructions.

He said it was about the quater of the cost to do it that way. He said for a casual suit it was fine. When he gained waieght he just split it open and glued in a new strip.

He said it wasn't pretty with fancy logos but it worked.

I have been surfing to see if there are any kit manufacturers to give it a whirl.

Cheers

 

[Yaouank]

Maybe you should try to get the measurement from an old wetsuit. But the big problem is to find some good neoprene like yamamoto or daiwa with a lot of open cell . You will have to glue and sew your neopren. That's mean, you need to find a neoprene cover with nylon or lycra.
About the weight vest/harness here a link but in french http://www.spearboy.com/dossiers/folie_de_waine_partie2.php
But I'm sure Benjamin will be happy to translate
Since my english is not good enough.
Yaouank