----- Original Message ----- 
      
      
      Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 
      12:59 PM
      Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] 
      Stainless hatch ring
      
      Brian,
       
      I think you're fine as is. The one 
      that's really nice to have in stainless is the ring that your hatch lands 
      on, because in getting in and out you scratch tha paint very easily there. 
      But that said, all the home built subs I've seen so far have steel lands 
      due to the cost of a large stainless ring. The "pro" subs have SS there, 
      we just repaint. 
       
      rgds,
       
      Alec
      
        
        
        When I put together my domed hatch ( in my machining class)  I 
        first had the hemisphere fabricated and then I had a 2" ring welded to 
        the edge of the hemisphere.    At the time I was not 
        really clear on how everything was going to come together and now 
        in hind sight I realize that the 2" ring that I welded on should 
        have been stainless steel instead of what I used.  
         
        My question is,  can I fabricate a stainless ring 
        and connect it to what I have now ?   I could remove some 
        of that material ( the ring part ) which is 3/4" thick so as to 
        reduce the weight.  I'm afraid if I don't make that ring part 
        thinner the hatch will be too dam heavy.
         
        If I do add this new stainless ring should I just weld it to the 
        existing ring?  and then put it in a giant lathe and machine it 
        true?
         
        Here is a picture of the hatch cover:
         
        
         
        Thanks 
         
        Brian