Regulator Servicing Tools

[ams511]

I want to try to service my own regs. I already purchased both the ScubaTools and Oxyhacker Books. So now I am ready to purchase the following tools: If you have any comments and suggestions I would appreciate them.

1. Strap Wrench - Harbor Freight sells some cheapies but was going to buy an aluminum one from Sears for about $20. Any other choices?

2. I have the 0-3" Magnahelic Gauge but do not have the tubing. Is their any advantage of the Scuba Tools kit with the mouthpiece?

3. First Stage Tool - Should I purchase the Scuba Tools version or the one sold by Piranha and others?

4: Adjustable Hook Pin Spanner - Not sure if this is necessary or if the strap wrench will do, was going to order the one from NESS.

5. Adjustable Face Pin Spanner - was going to order either from NESS or Ebay. Need this for the Beuchat V-10

6. Tribolube from Piranha. Should I buy some Dow 111 for other stuff?

7. The regs I have are either ScubaPro, Apeks, Sherwood, or Beuchat. So I was thinking of these special tools.

A. Apeks cover tool. Is this needed? In the Oxyhacker book he removed the cover with the face pin spanner. Seems like a modified lobster gauge should also undue it. I have TX-100, TX-50, and TX-40's

B. ScubaPro Multi-Tool. Does this do anything besides holding the nut on the first stage that the above tools don't?

C. Are the MK-16 and MK-20 tools absolutely necessary?

Finally is there anything else I should buy? Thanks in advance.

 

[Zung]

I'm only familiar with SP, so:

1. Strap wrench: if you're thinking about dealing with the 1st stage bodies, the SP Multi-Tools does a better job: the Scubatools version has 2 hook spanners built-in. Alternatively, a hook spanner is good. Actually, the 1st strap wrench I bought broke right off.

2. Magnehelic mouth piece: nice to have. Else just use a piece of tubing held in your mouth.

3. Multi-Tool: I don't know Piranha. The Scubatools one is quite cost effective and basically does:
A. Hook spanner for the body
B. Pin/face spanner for the seat retainer
C. Knurled knob spanner for the SP hoses.
The Scubapro one also deals with the SP diaphragm regs and cost at least 2-3 times more.

4. Adjustable Hook Pin Spanner: not needed if you have the Multi-Tool, see (3.) above.

5. Adjustable Face Pin Spanner: not needed if you have the Multi-Tool, see (3.) above.

6. Dow 111: maybe not if you do high O2 and are anal, because of cross-contamination, else no problem.

7. C The MK20 tools is very nice to have, but there's an alternative assembly procedure that does without it; I tried it a couple of times and it works. You assemble all the seat/bushings/o-ring/spring/seat retainer, and plug the piston from the other end.

Additional tools, required:
- O-ring picks, you can fabricate your own, search for a post I made
- Bullet tool if you have MK5 & MK10's, Scubatools
- Yoke nut, Scubatools, or grind your own
- Long 6mm Allen if you have DIN regs

Additional tools, really nice to have:
- Torque wrenches, 1x3/8" and 1x1/4", el cheapos work good and can be bought for $20 a piece
- Ultrasonic cleaner, about $30

 

[herman]

I pretty much agree with Zung. I have a couple of stap wrenches and so far have not found a good use for them..I would not bother. For the mag mouth pieces you can glue a nylon or brass fitting into an old mouth piece- drill hole, insert, put on a little glue or I find a length of plastic tubing works as well.
I would add to your list a couple of 3/8 x24 (SAE fine thread) bolts and nuts. You install them in your LP ports finger tight and snug the nut down on the first stage to give you a handle to hold them with. These can be locked in a vise if you need to really hang on to the reg to loosen a stuck part. Some folks don't like to use steel ones but so far I have not had a problem using steel. I also have a large 1in wrench that I cut out the throat in so that it fits completely on the yoke nut with the yoke setting in the notch I cut. This allows me to get a full bite in the nut. This is one time I like a cheap tool, besided not minding altering a cheap tool, the steel is usually milder so grinding it is a lot easier. You will want a bullet tool, either buy one or you can make one out of a hard wood or plastic dowel sanded down to fit.

 

[redacted]

I started out trying a strap wrench to remove ambient chambers and, even with a brass screw through the strap material to engage an ambient chamber hole, it did not work very well. A proper pin spanner of scuba multi-tool is much better. While I ended up with a number of separate tool to do the jobs of a good multi-tool; as Mattboy pointed out in another thread, the multi-tool may be cheaper in the long run.

I'm sure I could do my Mk20 without the special tool, maybe fashioning some DIY tools, but it is fairly cheap and makes assembly fairly easy by reliably holding the o-ring and bushing sandwich in place as the piston is inserted.

 

[ams511]

Thanks for all your input. Over the years I have collected a bunch of regs that I would like to place back in service even if just to resell on ebay. I have Sherwood, Apeks, Beuchat as well as ScubaPro, so I am looking for tools adaptable for all the regs. I figured I can start with the Sherwoods and then on to the Beuchat's to again experience before I tackle the Apeks and ScubaPros.