First, my gratitude to couv, Zung, and halocline for all the invaluable information and fascinating comments over the years regarding my absolute favorite regulator combination, the Mk 5 and the 109/156. I still have my first Mk V (as we used to refer to them) and its 109 second stage. I've had them for more than 40 years, and have done all my own work on them since the 90s.
I have a second Mk 5 first stage that is more recent, with 5 lp ports and two of the larger diameter hp ports. I bought it a few years ago, almost unused in virtually new condition, clean as a whistle inside. I installed new o rings, a washer or two and the filter although everything seemed fine, though the o rings were a bit dry. IP locks at 135-137, no extra shims, solid as a rock. I've semi-retired my two port original mk 5, even though I replaced the light yoke long ago. I still use my 40 year old 109, upgraded to current standards with an s poppet, matching longer balance chamber, more recent lever and an appropriate adjustment spring. The chrome finish is still beautiful, almost flawless, despite many hundreds of dives and numerous plane trips carefully packed in my carry-on. All rubber parts have been replaced several times, of course.
I use the combination of the newer Mk5 and the updated 109/156(almost a 250V) on my tropical dive trips. They outperform most anything else, especially with the 109 tuned to utter perfection, and the impact they have on other divers and boat crews is interesting and amusing in the extreme. Compared to what's out there, they also are in another and much higher aesthetic category. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
I'm curious, halocline, about the Mk 5 brass turret retainer you mention. I think old Scubapro spec sheets call it a swivel retainer. Both my Mk 5s have brass retainers. I know about the overtorquing issue, and it's not a problem for me, since I (very carefully) do my own work. Still, I wonder if the stainless steel retainer is available as a new part, if it would fit properly, and if it it's worth doing a replacement the next time I service them, all things considered.
Many many thanks for the generosity, the expertise, and the sea of humor which obviously floats all of your boats.
I have a second Mk 5 first stage that is more recent, with 5 lp ports and two of the larger diameter hp ports. I bought it a few years ago, almost unused in virtually new condition, clean as a whistle inside. I installed new o rings, a washer or two and the filter although everything seemed fine, though the o rings were a bit dry. IP locks at 135-137, no extra shims, solid as a rock. I've semi-retired my two port original mk 5, even though I replaced the light yoke long ago. I still use my 40 year old 109, upgraded to current standards with an s poppet, matching longer balance chamber, more recent lever and an appropriate adjustment spring. The chrome finish is still beautiful, almost flawless, despite many hundreds of dives and numerous plane trips carefully packed in my carry-on. All rubber parts have been replaced several times, of course.
I use the combination of the newer Mk5 and the updated 109/156(almost a 250V) on my tropical dive trips. They outperform most anything else, especially with the 109 tuned to utter perfection, and the impact they have on other divers and boat crews is interesting and amusing in the extreme. Compared to what's out there, they also are in another and much higher aesthetic category. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
I'm curious, halocline, about the Mk 5 brass turret retainer you mention. I think old Scubapro spec sheets call it a swivel retainer. Both my Mk 5s have brass retainers. I know about the overtorquing issue, and it's not a problem for me, since I (very carefully) do my own work. Still, I wonder if the stainless steel retainer is available as a new part, if it would fit properly, and if it it's worth doing a replacement the next time I service them, all things considered.
Many many thanks for the generosity, the expertise, and the sea of humor which obviously floats all of your boats.
