Learning to work on gear:

[scubaredneck]

For those of you who service your own gear, where did you learn how do to it? Are you just the tinkering sort who taught themselves or did you go get some formal training? Or did you have a friend who showed you or what?

I am the tinkering sort who would eventually like to learn how to service my own gear so I'm curious what steps I may need to take to do it properly and safely.

Thanks in advance.

 

[redacted]

I always hated the idea of paying mechanics to screw up my car when I could do at least as good a job myself.

Once a friendly LDS gave me some scubapro schematics the problems of parts, tools, and other documentation were just annoying roadblocks.

Recommended start point:
www.airspeedpress.com

What brand are you looking to tinker with?

 

[Waterborne]

I was thining about this last week and never got around to posting it. I have read many good reviews on Vance Harlows book on reg and valve servicing. That would be worth looking into. I would like to take some type of formal training though. Is that kind of training offered to people who don't work in a shop? I've heard mixed reviews of the mainstream agencies "Equipment Specialist" class. Has anyone hear taken it? Also what kind of tool kit would one need to do this kind of work?

Thanks in advance as well

 

[scubaredneck]

I have a set of USD Conshelfs that are about 20-25 years old. I got them used so there is no warrantee for me. They're great regs, even if I upgraded, I would still keep them and use them for basic dives and as back-ups.

Given that I have no warrantee, if I could do the annual service myself and save $30 or $40 a year, it would be nice. Plus, being a natural tinkerer (I don't let a shop screw up my car either unless it's something I just can't work on) it would just be fun and personally rewarding to do it.

 

[MikeFerrara]

SCORE ResQ once bubbled...
I was thining about this last week and never got around to posting it. I have read many good reviews on Vance Harlows book on reg and valve servicing. That would be worth looking into. I would like to take some type of formal training though. Is that kind of training offered to people who don't work in a shop? I've heard mixed reviews of the mainstream agencies "Equipment Specialist" class. Has anyone hear taken it? Also what kind of tool kit would one need to do this kind of work?

Thanks in advance as well

The training offered by most of the equipment manufacturers isn't much but is a requirement in order to be "authorized". In most case to take the manufacturers training you must be sponsored by a dealer (dive shop). I am sending some of our DMs. They are also cave divers and are getting to the point where they have alot of regs and tanks. I'm doing it to save them a little money (part of their DM perks) and in addition they will be able to help out with servicing after gaining some experience. I also set them up with a tank inspection class. The VIP training together with the blender class they did will save them some real bucks. Figure it out if a guy has a pile of tanks that need O2 cleaning and inspection every year and 6 - 8 regs it gets pretty expensive. I do it because I want to keep good Divemasters and can't pay them any other way. I also let them use my blending equipment to mix their own gas. That way the mix cost is gas plus something toward use of the equipment. The result is that they can dive trimix for a little more than most pay for nitrox and without investing thousands up front.

 

[redacted]

scubaredneck once bubbled...
I have a set of USD Conshelfs that are about 20-25 years old.

Parts may be a bit of a challenge unless you can locate generic parts that will work. O-ring shouldn't be much of a problem but seat will probably take a bit more work. Best start point is Harlow's book.

 

[Stone]

My LDS sponsered me into a Genesis/Sherwood class. I had to take his "Equipment Specialist" class first, but it was worth it.

Between Vance's book, at least one "real" class, hopefully the proper manuals, and the right tools, a person ought to feel pretty confident.

 

[Waterborne]

Mike and Stone, what kind of investment would need to be made as far as a basic reg and valve bench? Any sources for tools as well? I use Poseidon, SP and US Divers regs, any special, brand specific tools I might need?

Scubaredneck here's a link that might be of help to you
Airspeed Press

 

[redacted]

Most necessary tools are standard. The "special" tools tend to make it easier but can usually be worked around. The only "special" scuba tools I bought for my Scubapro gear were the bullet tool for my Mk2 and the piston assembly tool for my Mk20. The latter could have been worked around if you had access to one to model from. I made a couple of the special tools like the yoke nut socket and a pin spanner for disassembling the body of the 1st stages.

Everything else is fairly standard.

Source for tool : www.scubatools.com

 

[Waterborne]

The more I research this topic, the more sense it makes. In terms of cost, safety, and peace of mind. I have always been leary about taking my kit in to be serviced by anyone that I didn't know personally. You wouldn't happen to have any drawings or plans for these tools you made that you want to share do you? I have access to my fathers shop where I could do light metal fab and such.