Pipe Mask help- fittings

[Jon]

Since I got my new nose clip I decided to make myself a pipemask. I have a couple sets of goggles and enough tubing to do the job, but am having a hard time finding the right fittings to do it right. :head

Here are some photos that I have dug up of various fittings and would like to know where people found them- so far I've tried a couple of different hardware and pet stores but still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Looking for any suggestions,

Jon

 

[Longfins]

Jon,

Try www.clippard.com They make pneumatic control supplies.

I made a pipe goggle using 1/16" fitting a few years ago. Try part number 12841 for 1/16" hose. Pretty small stuff. 1/16" polyurethane pneumatic hose can be a little stiff on the gums, however. If I have to make a pipe mask again today I'll make it out of 1/8" fitting. A little larger, but I can use softer tygon or silicone tubing.

Good luck,

Peter S.

 

[Jon]

Peter,

I was looking through the site and was wondering just what kind of fitting a "12841" was? Is it a bulk head, a nipple or what?

Did you make yours out of goggles or a Seal mask? I was thinking about a Seal mask since it would cover a larger section of my face in cold water- which is why I am more interested in a pipe mask right now over fluid goggles.

I have a few different sections of tubing, some softer than others, and haven't decided which I want to use just yet.

Jon

 

[Longfins]

Whoops,

Sorry I'm used to navigating that site. Go to 'download' and download the brass fittings catalog.

PN 12841 is a brass fitting, 10-32 thread on one side, 1/16" hose barb nipple on the other. When I made mine I made it out of swimming goggles. I drilled a pilot hole, threaded the thread end would go into the goggle, and epoxy-sealed it.

For seal mask I'd go with the 1/8" fitting. It's bigger and transfer gas more efficiently. You don't want to be spitting into your own eyes when equalizing either. www.mcmaster.com would have a good selection of 1/8" soft hoses too if you're looking.

Peter S.

 

[Jon]

So I ended up finding parts at the local hardware store. I used a brass nipple fitting inside of a Seal mask and made it work. I've tried it out in the pool a bunch of times and it seemed to work fine, but last night was the real test out in Lake Michigan.

I have to say that "hand's-free" clearing is not as easy as I thought it would be. As soon as my face hit that thermocline I had to start reminding myself where I had to blow the air, ears or mouth, and I ended up having sticky ears at about 35'. (surface temps were 53F and bottom temps were around 42F)

I switched back to my sphera the rest of the night and had no other issues. I guess it will take a bit more practice than I thought. I don't know if I was just going down that much faster that my ears couldn't keep up or that I was task loading myself in a new way that I have yet to master?

Either way it was a great night diving and I got to play around with my monofin in water deeper than 30' for a change. I was able to try some different kicking styles and hand positions to see what felt better and try and zone in on what works best for me.

jon