[PSUBS-MAILIST] information on viewports

[Jefferson Tortorelli via Personal_Submersibles]

Hi Hank:

I must start off telling you I recently discovered your youtube videos and have watched them all several times. It is through you that I discovered PSUB.org. Many thanks.

Until I read in some old threads on psub that you were working on epoxy viewports, I had been thinking about pouring my own acrylic. I will stick with that. Some of the other guys have recommended some really good resource books which I am going to purchase.

Initially the submarine I want to build would be for no more than 300 foot depth. Primarily lake diving. I live pretty close to the ocean but would have to do some research as to locations I could launch and dive. The advice about the boat trailer is the way to go. Otherwise I had thought about building some retractable wheels where I could roll the sub down off the trailer. Not that far yet.

I have been advised by a few members that the flat panel design of my sub doesn’t lend itself to depth. The original design had a cylindrical pressure chamber but I removed that for more room inside. I thought if I used ½” steel plate with interior ribs that would suffice for pressure. Evidently I am wrong on that so I will go back to the drawing board.

Thanks again for your response.

Jeff


Jefferson Tortorelli
Tortorelli Creations
4910 Santa Anita Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
Cell: 909-908-3795
Shop: 909-370-3131
Instagram: @tortorellicreations


From: Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles-bounces at psubs.org> On Behalf Of hank pronk via Personal_Submersibles
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2024 3:52 AM
To: Jefferson Tortorelli via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] information on viewports

Hi Jeff, Hank Pronk here.  I did do some testing with epoxy as a material for fabricating domes.  I did destructive testing and cycle testing.  Although the material stood up compared to acrylic in destructive tests, I had some real concerns with the cycle test results.  After a few thousand cycles, the Epoxy was deflecting (bending)  by .040 inches  more than the starting point.  I am not qualified to comment on whether that is okay or not.  Had all testing continued to compare with acrylic I may have continued.  I would not attempt to use Epoxy to fabricate ports.

When designing your sub, you must consider how you will use it and where.  Once you decide where the sub will be operating, check for launch points and measure the water depth at those point.  Design the sub so it can float off a  standard boat trailer.

Hank

On Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:52:36 AM MDT, Jefferson Tortorelli via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org<mailto:personal_submersibles at psubs.org>> wrote:



Hi:



I am new to this organization and am currently in the design phase of a two person submersible. I am looking for information on obtaining acrylic viewports or learning (if possible) how to fabricate my own.



Thanks,



Jeff



Jefferson Tortorelli

Tortorelli Creations

4910 Santa Anita Avenue

El Monte, CA 91731

Cell: 909-908-3795

Shop: 909-370-3131

Website: www.Tortorelli.com<http://www.Tortorelli.com>

Instagram: @tortorellicreations




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