Cerakote is the finish I wanted on the Argonaut for a very long time. I wanted something that was different and unique. Initial experiments worked out great and I could find very little fault in it. Currently there are Phoenix first stages available in Cerakote and I think the finish worked fantastic on them and I plan on using it on other parts in the future.
Which brings us to the Argonaut.......
Luis and I always planned for the yoke on the Argonaut to be removable and not held in place by a retaining clip which is standard for most regulators. When you can remove the yoke it lets the regulator pack flat and overall travels and stores easier. I had a couple of scrap bodies done in Cerakote and the look was fantastic! The problem was with taking the yoke on and off the body. The tolerances and machining on the Argonaut are much more precise than you find on most regulators. So when the Cerakote was applied to the threads of the body and yoke it was extremely difficult to take the yoke on and off....And it was so tight that after doing it a few dozen times it was removing the coating........Houston, we have a problem. After racking my brain and weighing all the options and getting some professional advice I decided electroless nickel plating was the best option. The folks at Seminole Metal Finishing will be doing the work and since they are close to me I'll drop off and pick up to save on shipping cost and time.
Pictured below is the sample they did for me. Let me know what you think.....
Major update again next week. Stay tuned for details :)
Good wine takes time! I'm in no hurry for my unit - I know it'll be wonderful when received. So take your time - I can't wait to see the reaction from divers on a local charter when I debut my new "Double Hose."
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Chaz
electroless nickel plating looks good to me.
ReplyDeleteI like what I'm seeing (and reading). It appears to be a "satin" finish, and that looks good with the black can. Too shiny would seem "out of place" or too much of an attempt to be like the units of days past. The Kraken needs to (and continues to) make its own statement..
ReplyDeleteThe finish is the same on both the bodies and the yokes.....My phone does not take great pictures but it allows me to post them quickly....So I took the lazy route.
ReplyDeleteso is it a "high chrome" or a "satin"?
ReplyDelete