How to build a cheap magnetic slate.
-- by Rick Lowery
Recently a friend asked me how I "made" my cheap Magnadoodle. I've passed this information on enough, I thought I should publish it.
What is a Magnadoodle?
Well, it's a $8.95 toy for children that can be used as a dive slate. Go to a local Toys-R-Us and snag one. Many sceptics have predicted that this little pup won't stand up to depth like the magnetic "dive" slates that you can buy for $40.00. Well, mine's been to 100 fsw a few times, and has been on 30+ dives so far and it's still kicking. The pictures you'll see are of my slate at the time I wrote this article, 6-19-2000 after it's been on 30+ dives. None the worse for wear.
Ok, how do I "make" one?
In order to make it a dive slate, you'll need to make a few modifications.
First, cut the pen from the slate. The flimsy little
cord will never hold up to punishment. Next, you'll need to drill a 1/8 inch
hole in the top right corner of the slate to accept a key ring. After
you thread the key ring in, attach a plastic or metal clip to the ring so
you can hook it to your BC and not watch it sink into the abyss.
Next, obtain some 5mm medical tubing. You'll need about 10 - 12 inches of it. Tie one end of it to the clip ring. On the other end, stuff the little magnetic "pen" into the tubing until it won't budge anymore.
You now have a magnetic dive slate that costs about $12 instead of
the outrageous $40.00 you'll see at the dive stores. The slate works great. My only
complaint I have with it is that its a small surface to write on.
Being a fat fingered programmer with bad handwriting, it can be a detriment, but others
with better penmanship have no trouble with it at all.
