Steel vs Aluminum Backplate

Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
backplate? I currently own a steel plate but I am constructing
another unit and was wondering if I am better off using aluminum.


Thanks in advance

In article <3ff0e330.9965679@news.videotron.ca>,
NeedaHoliday@nospam.com writes:
>Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
>backplate? ...

Steel and aluminum have different corrosion properties.

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 02:35:29 GMT, NeedaHoliday@nospam.com wrote:

>Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
>backplate? I currently own a steel plate but I am constructing
>another unit and was wondering if I am better off using aluminum.
>
>
>Thanks in advance

Stainless Steel is more rugged and is not effected by exposure to salt
water like aluminum is. Still many people use aluminum backplates for
both fresh and saltwater. They are usually preferred when you don't
need the extra weight from a SS BP.

Incidently, you can buy a nice new Dive Rite aluminum backplate for
$50 from Dive Rite Express <http://www.diveriteexpress.com>. So
depending on what your time and materials are worth, that may be
something to think about.

-bob

Steel is a better overall choice. Aluminum corrodes. If you want a
lightweight plate, Scott makes a travel plate that is cut away.

The extra weight of the steel plate is subtracted from your weightbelt.
There are several advantages to this.

<NeedaHoliday@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:3ff0e330.9965679@news.videotron.ca...
> Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
> backplate? I currently own a steel plate but I am constructing
> another unit and was wondering if I am better off using aluminum.
>
>
> Thanks in advance

On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 02:35:29 GMT, NeedaHoliday@nospam.com wrote:

>Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
>backplate?

Yes.



--- Rich
http://richlockyer.tripod.com/

Charlie Hammond <hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com> wrote:
>>Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
>>backplate? ...
>Steel and aluminum have different corrosion properties.

Appearance wise, this is a concern. My SS plate looks great, the alums do
not.

That said, the SS plate have no role for me in warm water. At best I
would have no weight belt. Worst, I'd be swimming negative.

--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 13:20:32 +0000 (UTC), jor@soda.csua.berkeley.edu
(Jason O'Rourke) wrote:

>That said, the SS plate have no role for me in warm water. At best I
>would have no weight belt. Worst, I'd be swimming negative.

I hate you skinny guys :)


Rich - Who hauled a heavy Fred-T to Club Med and still needed 12
pounds.



--- Rich
http://richlockyer.tripod.com/

"Charlie Hammond" <hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com> wrote in message
news:TYfIb.11330$yS1.7755@news.cpqcorp.net...
> In article <3ff0e330.9965679@news.videotron.ca>,
> NeedaHoliday@nospam.com writes:
> >Is the weight the only difference between the steel and aluminum
> >backplate? ...
>
> Steel and aluminum have different corrosion properties.
>
> --

And what happened to the convo on brass BPs?

rhys