Making a Wetsuit

[bjpete]

I remember a while ago I was talking to Gene and Jon about my plans to construct a wetsuit or two. I thought I'd let you all know that I've finally got around to it, after to doing a lot of research, getting the right neoprene, tools, and so forth. I'm just finishing up the first one, and so far so good. My goal for the first suit was to make one the was 6ml, smooth skin, and almost the same size as an existing suit I have. After looking for a sourse of good neoprene, I found that Elios does sell some material to who ever wants to buy it. The tricky part was trying to make a pattern from an existing suit, to make a long story short, I made a lot of attempts and was almost ready to give up. I finally settled on tracing a pattern on heavy clear plastic sheeting over the inside seams of my old wetsuit where I highligted the seams using white out. The pattern worked great, after cutting the neoprene with a heavy duty scissors, the gluing was probably the easiest, but messiest part of the job. With it all said and done, I would guess that I've got a smooth skin suit that cost about a third of what a similar Elios would cost. The real test will be during the ice dive coming up in earlier Febraury or while shooting carp at the outlet in Madison. Hopefully by the ice dive in Feb I'll have another suit completed. I would guess the time spent in making the fist suit has been about 16 hours (not including making the pattern), a bit longer than I thought but i like a good challange.
Later,

Brian

 

[ILDiver]

This is a 2 piece suit with a hood? What are you using to fasten in closed?

 

[Whopperhead]

Brain- WOW! Good job! You could start your own side buisness! A USA Version of Elios! I'm sure you would get lots of buisness. Locally even-- This should be interesting to see.

In a further question you had posted at the Freeze-a-palooza- about Showers- I reserved a "Beach house" not sure, but I know the beach houses around here have showers in them. But I will call and get a "For sure" answer for you.

 

[bjpete]

when i got the neoprene from elios I also has them send me some "frogs" like th ones used on the elios suits. As for going into business... I doubt that I would make any money at all.. the suit is smooth skin with the open cell interior, I would even attempt to make one with a nylon exterior. I don't want to deal with any stitching at all, too much of a pain. If I were to pay myself for the work I did on the first one I would be making at most 6 dollars an hour. But I like working with my hands as a hobby and like a good challenge.
Brian

 

[bjpete]

And yes, it is a 2 peice with an attached hood, like any other freediving/ apnea wetsuit. Also with high waisted pants.

 

[bgill]

bjpete...Hi!

I just want to know how much it cost you...AND if you'd make me one possibly...I'd gladly pay for it if the price is cheap enough for me! I live in Waukesha but go THROUGH Madison frequently when I visit my brother and his family in Boaz/Richland Center. You've probably seen my Nephew on the news alot since you live in Madison...He was hit by a roadside bomb about a year or so ago - CPL Neil Schalk - He lost some body parts but is succeeding at EVERYTHING he does...Marathons...Triathalons...Wisconsin Ironman competition, etc. Recently was awarded Wisconsin's most eligable Bachelor by Cosmo Magazine!!! But thats nothing compared to "The Purple Heart" he earned in Iraq.

Anyways...I'd GLADLY stop by for the proper measurements!!!! I just don't see me getting the suit I want very soon...Lot's of crazy stuff going on in my life right now...If you really want to know about it all just check out some of my recent post in my profile... By looking at your avatar you may be interested in recent MIRACLES that have taken place!!!My wife is ALREADY spendng tons of money on our unborn twins...Plus now we'll be needing a new van...Double stroller...16 zillion diapers and whatnot!!!! By the looks of things it would be another miracle if I could get the ELIOS I want by early spring!!!:chatupYou might just be the guy who fulfils this one!!!! God does work in a round about way sometimes!!!! And no...I'm not too proud to be humble either!!!!

It sure would be a blessing to get a quality CUSTOM FIT FREEDIVER'S wetsuit before the spring time... Right now the old "scubapro" no longer keeps me warm and I'd like to STILL be able to go freediving/spearing but it's just too darn cold with the wetsuit I have now...Plus I've shrunk quite a bit around the middle as of late and it does'nt fit very well anymore...But I suppose thats a good thing...I really needed to lose weight and get back into shape anyways...Freediving has done this for me!!!!

Message me or respond here please - That is if you're willing and yours works out for you!

Thanks in advance...Dan

P.S. - Also just looked at your profile - I too was in the Navy...Spent 6 years all over the world and loved every minute of it! I was onboard the USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) for 4 of those years! Also did 4 more years as a reservist...That however I DID NOT enjoy too much...zzz All these guys who had never even been in the fleet trying to teach me stuff in a classroom...Stuff I had six years first hand experience at...Plus all the freaking out over shoe shine and haircuts...Got a little bit tedious and boring after awhile needless to say...:hmm I tried to re-enlist but was given an RE-4 because of military cutbacks and Ronald Reagan's RESTRUCTURING of the military...Then just weeks before my RESERVE time was up I was offered a chance to re-enlist!!!! I was pissed they did'nt let me do that 3 years earlier!!! So I took my TWO honorable dd-214's and said SEE YA! Really kick myself now though!!!! I'd be retired two years already!!!! Or dead!!! Navy Corpsmen have had a tendancy to HAVE to pull duty in Hummer's lately if ya know what I mean!!!

IT IS AWESOME THAT YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED AT MAKING YOUR OWN OPEN CELL FREEEDIVER"S WETSUIT!!! SOOOOO COOOOOL! ANY PICS?