Learning to do maintenance on my own gear, Apeks

[Walde]

I'm interested of doing some maintenance on my own regs.
I'm gonna take it slowly and start by getting some used gear to play with. Also currently reading Harlows SCUBA regulator maintenance and repair book.
I'm currently diving with Apeks MTX-R and also have DST, DS4, XTX40, XTX50, so only Apeks stuff.
Probably gonna buy used Apeks single set with DST and XTXsomething to start with.

I don't mind using some money to buy tools that are needed, but there's quite a lot of tools so please share your knowledge what are the most important and usefull ones? Don't want to buy ones that I don't need and there's quite many spesialised tools available for example here Scuba Clinic Tools

So I probably need at least:
- Ultrasonic cleaner, some specs for reg maintenance?
- Orifice adjustment tool, which one?
- IP gauge
- Differential pressure gauge
- ....
What else?

There's also quite a lot of videos available for regulator maintenance, what are the ones you think are good, and also which ones are bad and why?
Thanks.

 

[Open Ocean Diver]

Usually the maintenance and service manual will have recommended tools. if you’re doing your own regulators and you rinse really well you probably won’t need an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Mobulai]

- Ultrasonic cleaner, some specs for reg maintenance?

nice but not necessary, it's the cleaner solution that matter (vinger at 5%, or phosporic acid at 3.5%) -- There are lots of good guides around here about that

- Orifice adjustment tool, which one?

you need the hex one since you are doing only Apeks; you might wanna consider an inline adjuster tool as well

- IP gauge

Absloutely

- Differential pressure gauge

Megnehelic or equivelent is nice for cracking effort adj; but not a must; the "sink test" works well enough:

You will for sure need C clamp wrenches to open up 1st stages; probably also a pin spanner

This thread looks a bit into it as well;:

APEKS tools

Hi I just completed some online service training and will be working on the shop doing servicing I want to have my own tool kit, where can you buy specific tools like in-line adjustment tool, and the specific pin spanner needed? Thanks, Denis

scubaboard.com

since you are EU based also; you might wanna checkout: SCUBA SERVICE TOOLS | Online store for scuba equipment service tools
they are in NL, so shipping and customs would be better (I have used both sources, they are both good)

 

[Umuntu]

You will need
- 2 C pin spanner tools to open the first stages on Apeks regs.
- A set of metric hex spanners.
- A used CO2 cartridge to hold the first stage in a vise
- a set of brass (NOT stainless) picks. Plastic is good too. You don’t want to scratch the surface of your regs.
- a few metric spanners/wrenches in the correct sizes for the hoses, yoke nuts etc.

A good European site to get tools … you don’t need them all.

Special scuba tools for Apeks® Regulators | Scuba Service Tools

An extensive collection of specialised Apeks scuba service tools. Ranging from a complete Apeks service kit to Apeks second-stage cover tools and stainless steel yoke nut sockets.

www.scubaservicetools.com

 

[Mobulai]

- A used CO2 cartridge to hold the first stage in a vise

oh that's a very smart hack

 

[Umuntu]

The tools sold by specialist scuba tool companies are way overpriced !

Take a first stage with you to your local hardware/ tool store. For C pin spanners you will need 2 where pin fits into the pin hole on the reg. Some bicycle tools work well for this. Wrap the C of pin spanner with duct tape so you don’t scratch your regs.

A standard set of hex spanners is just as good as the specialist ones.

If you have yoke regs you may need some different tools than DIN regs.

 

[Umuntu]

oh that's a very smart hack

CO2 cartridges (EMPTY!!!) are soft brass and won’t damage the chrome on your regulator - unlike the more expensive stainless steel tools that are sold.

Put a size 010 or 011 O ring on the thread’s shoulder so it doesn’t sit directly against the reg’s body.

 

[Mobulai]

CO2 cartridges (EMPTY!!!) are soft brass and won’t damage the chrome on your regulator - unlike the more expensive stainless steel tools that are sold.

Put a size 010 or 011 O ring on the thread’s shoulder so it doesn’t sit directly against the reg’s body.

The „travel“ 1st stage vice holder from scuba clinic is Aluminum, I went for that one as Alu will never hurt brass regs

Good tip about the oring — I’ll start doing that as well

 

[Umuntu]

The „travel“ 1st stage vice holder from scuba clinic is Aluminum, I went for that one as Alu will never hurt brass regs

Good tip about the oring — I’ll start doing that as well

Some of the CO2 cartridges are aluminium too. Mine is brass. The larger size of cartridge.

Bike repair shops are good sources for good quality tools … and used bicycle tubes for a number of hacks for your BPW harness.

 

[Nemrod]

Since it appears the OP is English fluent he could contact Robert Singler and take his course. It is a solid intro to regulator service and tools. Even if you have worked on regulators for years you will still get some value and manual and SB downloads.