First Reg Set

[buddhasummer]

or their second stages, unless you count the clones.

For second stages I prefer the added simplicity (oxymoron?) of a G250/156. Subjective breathing wise I slightly prefer both over Apeks, a fraction smoother to me.

 

[BoltSnap]

The spine nut that holds the air barrel in the second stages uses that type of fitting also.

I never had issues removing the hose when I didn't have the tool using adjustable wrenches on both nuts. I just had to be gentle and make sure that the ridges on the wrenches go into the groves on the nuts between the ridges. They make a plastic tool that is much less expensive than the metal one.

 

[ams511]

I never had issues removing the hose when I didn't have the tool using adjustable wrenches on both nuts. I just had to be gentle and make sure that the ridges on the wrenches go into the groves on the nuts between the ridges. They make a plastic tool that is much less expensive than the metal one.

Most often you can make something work. I once removed stripped bolts off a brake caliper by tightening down some locking pliers on the head of the bolt and hitting the pliers with a hammer to break it loose. Not pretty, but it worked.

But again the question is why does Scubapro use a non-standard fitting? The only answer is that they want to discourage DIY.

As far as I know, the plastic tool is Scubapro's, that I have never seen sold to the general public. I have only seen it used on videos and sold once in a while on eBay. The metal one is sold by Scubatools and the full tool is like $40.00 that is what I have.

 

[BoltSnap]

Most often you can make something work. I once removed stripped bolts off a brake caliper by tightening down some locking pliers on the head of the bolt and hitting the pliers with a hammer to break it loose. Not pretty, but it worked.

But again the question is why does Scubapro use a non-standard fitting? The only answer is that they want to discourage DIY.

As far as I know, the plastic tool is Scubapro's, that I have never seen sold to the general public. I have only seen it used on videos and sold once in a while on eBay. The metal one is sold by Scubatools and the full tool is like $40.00 that is what I have.

How often are you going to need this tool as a diver?

 

[Umuntu]

But again the question is why does Scubapro use a non-standard fitting? The only answer is that they want to discourage DIY.

Exactly !

Don't get me started on the crazy Scubapro yoke nuts !!!
On Apeks you can use an ordinary 19mm spanner. On Aqualung an ordinary 26mm spanner. On Scubapro you need a specially machined 1" socket that has extra thin walls and a tapered edge. It seems to have started after the MK10.

The design of the spline started on the adjustment knob of the 156. When the 156 was introduced SP was still using regular nuts on their hoses. Since then it has become part of the branding. SP adjustment knobs, 2nd stage hose nuts and 2nd Stage crown nuts use those splines.

At least they're all the same size !

As far as I know, the plastic tool is Scubapro's, that I have never seen sold to the general public. I have only seen it used on videos and sold once in a while on eBay. The metal one is sold by Scubatools and the full tool is like $40.00 that is what I have.

I've never seen a local LDS that sells that tool. Even the sets of "scuba tools" they sell online don't have the spline tool. An ordinary ring spanner will not fit.

I have an excellent spline tool ordered from Thailand.
Splined Wrench for Scubapro

And another from Divetek in Johannesburg from a trip to South Africa and Mozambique.
Scubapro hose tool | Divetek | Scuba Store | SHOP NOW

In both cases they are custom made, either by them or for them.

How often are you going to need this tool as a diver?

Every time you want to change a hose? Separating gear for cleaning, travel or storage?

Why restrict the owner's ability to maintain their gear ?

My nearest LDS is over an hour away. So I don't want to drive there just to remove a hose.

 

[Umuntu]

I never had issues removing the hose when I didn't have the tool using adjustable wrenches on both nuts. I just had to be gentle and make sure that the ridges on the wrenches go into the groves on the nuts between the ridges. They make a plastic tool that is much less expensive than the metal one.

It's too easy to damage the splines using this technique. They are made from soft brass. I see lots of Scubapro hoses with damaged spline nuts.

And once a spline is bent or squished even the proper spline tool won't fit.

 

[BoltSnap]

It's too easy to damage the splines using this technique. They are made from soft brass. I see lots of Scubapro hoses with damaged spline nuts.

And once a spline is bent or squished even the proper spline tool won't fit.

I never had a damaged one but I never had to do it often. If you don't know what you are doing or if the nut or hose were tightened or corroded very tight or badly, you shouldn't do it and get the proper tools.

 

[ams511]

Even the sets of "scuba tools" they sell online don't have the spline tool. An ordinary ring spanner will not fit.

This is the tool I use. I bought the aluminum version because the brass was out of stock at the time. They also sell a less expensive spine tool. As mentioned before I only have seen the plastic tool for sale on eBay and they sell for just as much as the metal ones. I also purchased the socket for the yoke nut too.

 

[ams511]

I never had a damaged one but I never had to do it often. If you don't know what you are doing or if the nut or hose were tightened or corroded very tight or badly, you shouldn't do it and get the proper tools.

If you cannot tell us why a spline nut is superior to a regular one in a regulator application, you are just making excuses for its use. The cost of the tool or how often you need it is irrelevant to the design issue.

 

[Umuntu]

This is the tool I use. I bought the aluminum version because the brass was out of stock at the time. They also sell a less expensive spine tool. As mentioned before I only have seen the plastic tool for sale on eBay and they sell for just as much as the metal ones. I also purchased the socket for the yoke nut too.

Scubatools make great tools, but their minimum international shipping charge currently is $37.00. So my spline tool, including international shipping, was less than their shipping charge …