Best way to learn to service regulators?

[Centrals]

Keep it one brand only.
It must have saved me a lot of money on DIY(Apeks only) over last 20+ yrs.
The only special tool I have is the C-spanner(x2). And I prefer Christolube over silicon grease. It is really difficult to remove silicon grease from anything afterward.
However, getting the genuine Apeks service kits in USA is difficult.

DIY is the way to go if you have the inclination.
Enjoy.

 

[SlugLife]

Keep it one brand only.
It must have saved me a lot of money on DIY(Apeks only) over last 20+ yrs.
The only special tool I have is the C-spanner(x2). And I prefer Christolube over silicon grease. It is really difficult to remove silicon grease from anything afterward.
However, getting the genuine Apeks service kits in USA is difficult.

DIY is the way to go if you have the inclination.
Enjoy.

Also a LOT of time and frustration. Time spent on research, finding tutorials, discovering weird nuances, learning, and more.

 

[Centrals]

Also a LOT of time and frustration. Time spent on research, finding tutorials, discovering weird nuances, learning, and more.

No difference from growing up and learn how to survive in a rat race.

 

[Coral_Reef_Fish]

Thank you all for the detailed well thought out and love filled posts in this thread!

I got a tingly feeling reading all the great replies! There are some huge web gods in this thread and any words of gratitude probably ring hollow, but I'm touched by your attentions!

Thank you.

I've worked repairing bicycles and paintball guns and TV's/stereos/radios/computers. You guys are the real deal!

I already have 3 torque wrenches (1/2, 3/8, 1/4) and a set of metric crows foot wrenches that I use when I work on bicycle suspensions/cars.

I'm going to re-read this thread a bunch of times, so I can give the thread a proper answer, but I just wanted to say "Thank you!"

If you were only going to learn and buy one brand what would you get?
I want that I will have access to parts/tools.
I want to get a set of 2 regs for sidemount and an O2 cleanable deco reg to replace my ancient Dacor Air 960 and XLE Pacer and Pacer Aero

 

[rsingler]

If your criteria are
1) self service
2) access to parts (and training)
3) rated for oxygen
then I think you are limited to Poseidon and Deep6. It's been too many years since I took the HOG course, but they may be approved for O2 cleaning as well. I don't know.
You can go to saltblue.com to find Poseidon training, and deep6gear.com for Deep6 training.
After completion you are allowed to buy parts. Poseidon does not teach O2 cleaning outside of Europe. Deep6 procedures are in their downloadable manual. My 2 cents: do not clean for oxygen use from book learning only.

 

[greeniguana]

I believe Dive Rite may covers those three criteria as well.

 

[Scuba Pilot777]

I am an avid mk5 / mk10 diver.

I know in theory they are not fit for 100% O2, but I O2 cleaned my mk10's and use them with up to 80% oxygen on my stages. I have disassembled them many times and have yet to see either increased degradation or soot because of compression fire.

The tools i use are super basic but help alot in my opinion.
cheap brass o-ring picks:
View attachment 669700
I use a bullet tool to not cut the piston or o-ring as mentioned above.
View attachment 669701
Started with an IP-gauge, but upgraded that to an inline adjustment tool.
View attachment 669702
An adjustable pin spanner wrench
View attachment 669703

A first stage holder or a scuba hose which you can clamp between a vise.
View attachment 669704
A cheap way to remove and adjust the turret is getting a hollow socket wrench
View attachment 669705
(these for 8 euros in a Belgian hardware store)

and a cheap pin spanner for the hp-seat
View attachment 669706


If you don't wanna invest in the inline adjustment tool, get an ip gauge and a screwdriver + bucket of water.
It takes more time but is alot cheaper. Worked for me for the first four years of servicing. But damn I would never go back since you can find these inline adjustment tools very cheaply sometimes.

The main thing that i could NOT live without is the internal o-ring tools.

View attachment 669707

It's just three plastic or pom pieces that are the best way to put a new o-ring without having to fiddle too much.

For me the easiest way to get started was servicing an old mk2+108
then I went for an mk5 + 109
then mk10+ 109

You'll notice if you combine the above tools with a set of allen keys

and then the next step for a first diaphragm reg I'd suggest something like the apeks ds4. (I specifically don't suggest the DST because I see sooooo many damaged DST's because people use wrong sized pin spanners).

One thing that has been mentioned above, but is somewhat of an unpopular opinion nowadays is :
Don't use Christolube unless you need O2 safe regulators. I feel that greasy oldschool silicone just works sooo much better and doesn't dry/crust up ever.

Quite a while since this post, but can you tell me what size the pins are on the spanner for the HP seat.
Got an old mk10 set coming to play with

 

[mundo121]

I use apeks and they are super easy to service. The kits have to buy from UK but thats no big deal.

 

[rsingler]

Quite a while since this post, but can you tell me what size the pins are on the spanner for the HP seat.
Got an old mk10 set coming to play with

.075" pins will work perfectly.
Scubatools 16-075-500

 

[Scuba Pilot777]

.075" pins will work perfectly.
Scubatools 16-075-500

Thanks Robert