Since there has been a lot of discussion about 2 new RBAs coming from China, I thought I would submit a small comparison of them.
First the specs:
Birkshire
Height: 54.75mm
Base dia.: 22.20mm
Top plate dia.: 22.20mm
cap dia.: 22mm
tank dia.: 19.95mm
tank wall thick.: 2.45mm
tank height: 22.9mm
Total weight: 67.10gm
AGA Tiamat
Height: 55.70mm
Base dia.: 22.90mm
Top plate dia.: 22.90mm
cap dia.: 22.80mm
Tank dia.: 19.95mm
Tank wall thick.: 2.45mm
Tank height: 22.9mm
Total weight: 82.20 gm
So the Birkshire is slightly smaller, almost insignificant. But is is quite a bit lighter.
View attachment 151503 View attachment 151502
You can see from the photos (Birkshire on left; Tiamat on right) the different taper in the top cap. Also, the center post is markedly different. The top plate is almost identical, except the threading for the cap is finer on the Birkshire. You can also notice the smaller pattern in the knurling of the Birkshire. The base of the Birkshire is shorter than the Tiamat; but the Birkshires's top cap is a bit longer. The positive posts look identical, along with all the screws (not shown) and knurled nuts.
View attachment 151504 View attachment 151505
In these photos, it is a little hard to see, but the Birkshire (on the left again) has a bit more stock removed from inside the base. The difference in the center post is more evident.
These photos are close-ups of just the cap and base.
View attachment 151513
The first half of this phote shows the relative size of the caps and bases (Birkshire on left). Note the shorter base on the Birkshire, along with the different taper of the top cap. Knurling is different, too.
2nd half Underside: Note the stock removed from the base in the Birkshire (on the left). Also the thread difference in the cap; the Birkshire has a thinner wall, where better machining has been employed. The Tiamat is very thick walled!
I was limited in the amount of photos I could upload to 5, so I did not post a picture of the assembled units side-by-side; but I think you get the idea.
First the specs:
Birkshire
Height: 54.75mm
Base dia.: 22.20mm
Top plate dia.: 22.20mm
cap dia.: 22mm
tank dia.: 19.95mm
tank wall thick.: 2.45mm
tank height: 22.9mm
Total weight: 67.10gm
AGA Tiamat
Height: 55.70mm
Base dia.: 22.90mm
Top plate dia.: 22.90mm
cap dia.: 22.80mm
Tank dia.: 19.95mm
Tank wall thick.: 2.45mm
Tank height: 22.9mm
Total weight: 82.20 gm
So the Birkshire is slightly smaller, almost insignificant. But is is quite a bit lighter.
View attachment 151503 View attachment 151502
You can see from the photos (Birkshire on left; Tiamat on right) the different taper in the top cap. Also, the center post is markedly different. The top plate is almost identical, except the threading for the cap is finer on the Birkshire. You can also notice the smaller pattern in the knurling of the Birkshire. The base of the Birkshire is shorter than the Tiamat; but the Birkshires's top cap is a bit longer. The positive posts look identical, along with all the screws (not shown) and knurled nuts.
View attachment 151504 View attachment 151505
In these photos, it is a little hard to see, but the Birkshire (on the left again) has a bit more stock removed from inside the base. The difference in the center post is more evident.
These photos are close-ups of just the cap and base.
View attachment 151513
The first half of this phote shows the relative size of the caps and bases (Birkshire on left). Note the shorter base on the Birkshire, along with the different taper of the top cap. Knurling is different, too.
2nd half Underside: Note the stock removed from the base in the Birkshire (on the left). Also the thread difference in the cap; the Birkshire has a thinner wall, where better machining has been employed. The Tiamat is very thick walled!
I was limited in the amount of photos I could upload to 5, so I did not post a picture of the assembled units side-by-side; but I think you get the idea.
