Harness Virgin

[Bimbler]

I am looking to purchase my first harness! Money is an issue and so I've been monitoring scam-bay for the last few weeks, but to no avail. Is there a good place to buy a cheap, but good quality harness or am I best making my own with the backplate I already have?

I would appreciate any advice on where on earth (or the web) I can get the components to do this. From reading previous posts I am reluctant to buy webbing from scam-bay and I'm slighty bemused by how many d-rings, billys, clips etc. I will need. Also, how much webbing is needed for an average size person?

Cheers...

[Olle]

Woz does some nice ones on Kitfondle.co.uk and he also sells all the bits & bobs.

I'm making my own, but mainly 'cause I think it'll be fun to do so and I get to pick the colour of the webbing (Lumb bros sell colourful stuff).
I'm told 4-5m will be plenty, but I haven't actually made it yet...

Olle

[Bottle Maker]

I built my own harrness and had it stiched by the local cobbler, it has one break in it and no adjustment, other diver may not like it as it is not DIR but it suits me and the type of diving I do.

If you know a lorry driver see if you can get an old ratchet strap and use the webbing from that. The webbing you can get at BnQ is quite thin and bunches up so is not realy suitable much as I hate to admitt it the besr webbing I have seen is the Halcion stuff.

remember it you that will be using it make it suit you.

Graham.

[endoman]

I hadn't a clue when I made mine, but make it I did, got the kit from nik naks, and followed these instructions.
Webbing a Harness

Only thing I might change is the chest d rings to angled ones rather than the straight one, just to make clipping on easier.

[Mal Bridgeman]

You could buy Halcyon @ £45 Underwater Explorers
or nackers @ £45
Full Harness webbing Dirzone, Backplates at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear

or make your own .... I recall you need 5m and it gives you enough to make a crotch strap but you really need stiff webbing for the harness itself and softer webbing for the crotch strap.

HTH
Mal

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by endoman

Only thing I might change is the chest d rings to angled ones rather than the straight one, just to make clipping on easier.

I think you can achieve the same result by putting the ones you have in a vice and walloping it hard enough to bend it.

HTH
Mal

[endoman]

Mal

Good idea, thanks for that, why do I always try and make simple things complicated?

Bill

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by endoman

Mal

Good idea, thanks for that, why do I always try and make simple things complicated?

Bill

I am sure that's how they make the bent ones in the first place .... but probably use a better engineered "walloper"
Mal

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by endoman

Mal

Good idea, thanks for that, why do I always try and make simple things complicated?

Bill

you just like spending money on shiney things.

its genetic for divers I think

[The Penguin]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

I am sure that's how they make the bent ones in the first place .... but probably use a better engineered "walloper"
Mal

mine were walloped by Woz...

Originally Posted by Bimbler

I am looking to purchase my first harness! Money is an issue and so I've been monitoring scam-bay for the last few weeks, but to no avail. Is there a good place to buy a cheap, but good quality harness or am I best making my own with the backplate I already have?

I would appreciate any advice on where on earth (or the web) I can get the components to do this. From reading previous posts I am reluctant to buy webbing from scam-bay and I'm slighty bemused by how many d-rings, billys, clips etc. I will need. Also, how much webbing is needed for an average size person?

Cheers...

4 to 5m of 50mm wide stiff webbing for the shoulders and waist. Beaver stuff is good.

Soft webbing for the crotch strap.

5 or 6 D-rings, Woz's are very nice and worth getting as they are bigger than any other! Put one on each shoulder (bent ones here make clipping into them a doddle), and then one on either side of the waist (or just one side), one front and one back of the crotch strap - if you want. You really don't need more. Tri-glides to hold them in place.

A weight-belt buckle.

A break-point if you don't fancy a one-piece job.



Bingo!

Al