Bellow pocket on wetsuit

BDH · November 30th, 2005, 04:01 PM

Hi all

This is another pocket question, I am of on a 3 week diving holiday in Jan :D and need to fit a bellowed pocket on left thigh for storing spool and trauma shears etc but not quite sure which kind of pocket or adhesive method to use for my 5mm steamer (yes it's all black) have any of you done this? which method and how succesful was it in terms of looking like a professional job.

Lots of advise needed

Reagards Barry

Divbum · November 30th, 2005, 04:46 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by BDH)

Hi all

This is another pocket question, I am of on a 3 week diving holiday in Jan :D and need to fit a bellowed pocket on left thigh for storing spool and trauma shears etc but not quite sure which kind of pocket or adhesive method to use for my 5mm steamer (yes it's all black) have any of you done this? which method and how succesful was it in terms of looking like a professional job.

Lots of advise needed

Reagards Barry

I like DUI pockets - but thats just me. So all I use is DUI pockets with DUI glue - but there are several choices of neoprene glue. The key is to make it look nice. Matt t. (if he signed up here yet) recently gave out some good advice. Once you hold and trace you pocket in place tape the outline off, glue it up - 3 coats each (let dry inbetween)- remove the tape while the last coat is tacky and apply the pocket - roll it down firmly. It will be nicely attached and look professional.

fraser · November 30th, 2005, 06:30 PM

Hi,

I like the DIR Zone pockets (actually I am amazed Phill hasn't arrived to sell you some yet

). Same deal as the DUI pockets, neoprene backed which sticks well to the neoprene suit. I used Black Witch, which you can get from most LDSs.

Position the pocket so your hand can reach the bottom without you bending and it is on the side of your thigh. Apply a few coats to the pocket back and the suit, then stick it carefully down and go get some handy lead weights. Place a book and the weights on the pocket and leave it two days...

Mine are still stuck so this seems to work

Cheers,

Fraser.

Rick · November 30th, 2005, 06:59 PM

Anyone for a pair of gay x-shorts?

I've taken the liberty of editing the photo to Keep Willo's ID safe from the masses....er...doh!

BDH · November 30th, 2005, 07:21 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by fraser)

Hi,

I like the DIR Zone pockets (actually I am amazed Phill hasn't arrived to sell you some yet

). Same deal as the DUI pockets, neoprene backed which sticks well to the neoprene suit. I used Black Witch, which you can get from most LDSs.

Position the pocket so your hand can reach the bottom without you bending and it is on the side of your thigh. Apply a few coats to the pocket back and the suit, then stick it carefully down and go get some handy lead weights. Place a book and the weights on the pocket and leave it two days...

Mine are still stuck so this seems to work

Cheers,

Fraser.

Aahhh.........I did check out niknaks but did'nt realise they were neoprene backed, do you think black witch is the best adhesive? and what would you compare it too

Cheers BDH

cavemex · November 30th, 2005, 08:11 PM

What everyone else said.

I put three layers of glue on both the pocket and the suit, with 5 minutes in between to get the glue tacky but not dry actually. I have found a one inch wide path of glue is enough all the way around the pocket as well, maybe a bit more but dont need to go crazy and glue the whole pocket.

I also recommend putting something inside the suit to stretch the suit a bit (something similar to what will happen to your suit when you put your leg in it). Many people find that the pockets seem to get a bit smaller once they are on the suit if they are not prestretched. I would assume that depends on how much "billow" and the backing on the pocket as well. The non-billowed DUI pockets lose a lot of volume when not prestretched. Food for thought, I throw some books and stuff inside as well to get a bit of stretch.

Scott

fraser · November 30th, 2005, 08:32 PM

Well, Black Witch is what I used and the pockets are going strong (not peeling or tatty looking) over a year and two Red Sea trips later. Plus pool usage.

I would assume you could use any decent neoprene glue however.

Cheers,

Fraser.

Divingniknaks · November 30th, 2005, 09:10 PM

I'm here

Look I can't be seperating people from money in the shop and on the Interweb thingy all at the same time now can I ?

Barry , Bellows Pockets mate, just the job, but the New York Sales Office seem to have done that job for me

http://www.divingniknaks.com/proddetail.php?prod=55004

HTH

mstroeck · December 6th, 2005, 05:05 PM

Is it just me, or are all those glue-on pockets rather expensive? Actually ridiculously expensive? I like your DIR-Zone ones, Phill, 44 Euros is not as bad some of the others. But still? Entire 5mm wetsuits go for the price of 5 such pockets.

mstroeck · December 11th, 2005, 01:10 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by mstroeck)

Is it just me, or are all those glue-on pockets rather expensive? Actually ridiculously expensive? I like your DIR-Zone ones, Phill, 44 Euros is not as bad some of the others. But still? Entire 5mm wetsuits go for the price of 5 such pockets.

Sorry for quoting myself :D, but I just found reasonably priced bellows-pockets ($19.90): http://www.fifthd.com/index.php?main...roducts_id=116 It's a pity shipping and customs would still make them about the same as most others for me, though...

November 30th, 2005, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
BDH(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Putney, London Posts: 64	Bellow pocket on wetsuit Hi all This is another pocket question, I am of on a 3 week diving holiday in Jan :D and need to fit a bellowed pocket on left thigh for storing spool and trauma shears etc but not quite sure which kind of pocket or adhesive method to use for my 5mm steamer (yes it's all black) have any of you done this? which method and how succesful was it in terms of looking like a professional job. Lots of advise needed Reagards Barry

November 30th, 2005, 04:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Divbum(Offline) "It's always an adventure..." Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 30	Quote: (Originally Posted by BDH) Hi all This is another pocket question, I am of on a 3 week diving holiday in Jan :D and need to fit a bellowed pocket on left thigh for storing spool and trauma shears etc but not quite sure which kind of pocket or adhesive method to use for my 5mm steamer (yes it's all black) have any of you done this? which method and how succesful was it in terms of looking like a professional job. Lots of advise needed Reagards Barry I like DUI pockets - but thats just me. So all I use is DUI pockets with DUI glue - but there are several choices of neoprene glue. The key is to make it look nice. Matt t. (if he signed up here yet) recently gave out some good advice. Once you hold and trace you pocket in place tape the outline off, glue it up - 3 coats each (let dry inbetween)- remove the tape while the last coat is tacky and apply the pocket - roll it down firmly. It will be nicely attached and look professional. __________________ Safe Diving, Greg www.shipwreckadventures.com 815.378.8152

November 30th, 2005, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
fraser(Offline) "I'm only late on your timescale" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 463	Hi, I like the DIR Zone pockets (actually I am amazed Phill hasn't arrived to sell you some yet ). Same deal as the DUI pockets, neoprene backed which sticks well to the neoprene suit. I used Black Witch, which you can get from most LDSs. Position the pocket so your hand can reach the bottom without you bending and it is on the side of your thigh. Apply a few coats to the pocket back and the suit, then stick it carefully down and go get some handy lead weights. Place a book and the weights on the pocket and leave it two days... Mine are still stuck so this seems to work Cheers, Fraser. __________________ Damn it feels good to be a gangsta

November 30th, 2005, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Anyone for a pair of gay x-shorts? I've taken the liberty of editing the photo to Keep Willo's ID safe from the masses....er...doh! __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

November 30th, 2005, 08:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
fraser(Offline) "I'm only late on your timescale" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 463	Well, Black Witch is what I used and the pockets are going strong (not peeling or tatty looking) over a year and two Red Sea trips later. Plus pool usage. I would assume you could use any decent neoprene glue however. Cheers, Fraser. __________________ Damn it feels good to be a gangsta

November 30th, 2005, 07:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
BDH(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Putney, London Posts: 64	Quote: (Originally Posted by fraser) Hi, I like the DIR Zone pockets (actually I am amazed Phill hasn't arrived to sell you some yet ). Same deal as the DUI pockets, neoprene backed which sticks well to the neoprene suit. I used Black Witch, which you can get from most LDSs. Position the pocket so your hand can reach the bottom without you bending and it is on the side of your thigh. Apply a few coats to the pocket back and the suit, then stick it carefully down and go get some handy lead weights. Place a book and the weights on the pocket and leave it two days... Mine are still stuck so this seems to work Cheers, Fraser. Aahhh.........I did check out niknaks but did'nt realise they were neoprene backed, do you think black witch is the best adhesive? and what would you compare it too Cheers BDH

November 30th, 2005, 08:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
cavemex(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 6	What everyone else said. I put three layers of glue on both the pocket and the suit, with 5 minutes in between to get the glue tacky but not dry actually. I have found a one inch wide path of glue is enough all the way around the pocket as well, maybe a bit more but dont need to go crazy and glue the whole pocket. I also recommend putting something inside the suit to stretch the suit a bit (something similar to what will happen to your suit when you put your leg in it). Many people find that the pockets seem to get a bit smaller once they are on the suit if they are not prestretched. I would assume that depends on how much "billow" and the backing on the pocket as well. The non-billowed DUI pockets lose a lot of volume when not prestretched. Food for thought, I throw some books and stuff inside as well to get a bit of stretch. Scott

November 30th, 2005, 09:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	I'm here Look I can't be seperating people from money in the shop and on the Interweb thingy all at the same time now can I ? Barry , Bellows Pockets mate, just the job, but the New York Sales Office seem to have done that job for me http://www.divingniknaks.com/proddetail.php?prod=55004 HTH __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

December 6th, 2005, 05:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
mstroeck(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 156	Is it just me, or are all those glue-on pockets rather expensive? Actually ridiculously expensive? I like your DIR-Zone ones, Phill, 44 Euros is not as bad some of the others. But still? Entire 5mm wetsuits go for the price of 5 such pockets.

December 11th, 2005, 01:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
mstroeck(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 156	Quote: (Originally Posted by mstroeck) Is it just me, or are all those glue-on pockets rather expensive? Actually ridiculously expensive? I like your DIR-Zone ones, Phill, 44 Euros is not as bad some of the others. But still? Entire 5mm wetsuits go for the price of 5 such pockets. Sorry for quoting myself :D, but I just found reasonably priced bellows-pockets ($19.90): http://www.fifthd.com/index.php?main...roducts_id=116 It's a pity shipping and customs would still make them about the same as most others for me, though...