Servicing your own regulators

[tbone1004]

With Poseidon, at least a few years ago, I had to show proof of their training in order to order parts. Now the problem is trying to find parts at a reasonable price.

Some dive shops do good service, others are really bad. A splash of silicone spray and $65 thank you very much. Servicing regs is hard to make money on for sure, especially when the owner doesn't like to take care of their gear. They will spend more per hour on non-life support equipment e.g. cars, than their regs. I have had a reg grossly under-perform at depth and it was no fun. (1st stage problem) So, yes I now do all my regs.

If you have proof of training you can order from them directly. If not, then DGX has parts available for sale.

 

[p_kos]

Ok, not as bad as I thought! I haven’t had the chance to watch the vids, so this might be the same question that @formernuke had. Why that IP gauge instead of the IP gauge with the inline second stage tool that DGX sells? Also, can the vise be attached to a weight belt for multi purpose use while diving. Ok, just kidding on that last one. Maybe.
Erik

Better yet get the $10 compact IP gauge from DGX. The one posted earlier is better for more precise readings but triple the price and the compact one travels better for assessment in the field. Get the inline one if you’re rich.

 

[happy-diver]

Where's everyone going, it's all in the annals

O-rings for Divers Nothing better, anywhere

Get onto the crew from ScubaBoard and you'll be serviced in a day

Is that Oring thread pinned yet

 

[Angelo Farina]

Better yet get the $10 compact IP gauge from DGX. The one posted earlier is better for more precise readings but triple the price and the compact one travels better for assessment in the field. Get the inline one if you’re rich.

The inlne tuning tool is quite dangerous. If you turn the knob without pressing the purge button, you easily damage the seat...
Instead, pressing the purge button, you save the seat but waste a lot of air.
Better to depressurize and remove the hose, press the purge button and use a normal screwdriver of proper size.

 

[The Chairman]

Why that IP gauge instead of the IP gauge with the inline second stage tool that DGX sells?

Because I travel with it. I actually have one that has interchangeable nipples because I'm always asked to look at someone's regs when I'm out. It never fails. Also sold by ScubaTools. You can buy them from anywhere... I have an 8" one on my wall at my reg rebuild bench. The inline adjustment tool is just another gadget I don't really need. I own two, and I never ever use them. I've even loaned one out and am kinda OK if it doesn't return. Every now and then, you get that one reg that you'll benefit from it. But it's heavy and I won't travel with it. KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. It should say keep it light too!

DGX is fine and you'll get what you pay for. I have well over a $100,000.00 dollar investment in tools that I've been collecting since 1969. Ask T-Bone if that's an exaggeration. I want the right tool at a fair price. I can and have worked with crap, but it's not fun. I've also worked with over-engineered tools as well. They're not fun either. I want to buy a tool once and have it around for the rest of my life. I have a lot of tools from the 70s when I first started buying them in earnest. Some say I hoard them, but they're horrible people and I don't need that kind of negativism in my life!

This is what I actually travel with, but I don't have a release valve on it. That would have been nice a time or two!

Pro Technician IP Gauge with 4 SpinOn Adapters​

But in the long run, if buying the inline tool makes you happy: do it. I really mean that. It's not bad, it's just not for me.

 

[rsingler]

The inlne tuning tool is quite dangerous. If you turn the knob without pressing the purge button, you easily damage the seat...
Instead, pressing the purge button, you save the seat but waste a lot of air.
Better to depressurize and remove the hose, press the purge button and use a normal screwdriver of proper size.

Here's an alternative: just add an in-line shutoff to your inline tool!
That way, you slide the gas off, press the purge button, make the adjustment and turn on the first stage gas again. No air waste, no noise and no pressure on the seat!
And no - you don't need an IP gauge on your inline tool. Your IP gauge should be right above/ below your magnehelic, so you can watch for the IP to start to dip, and immediately glance down/up at the magnehelic reading.

 

[lexvil]

I use an inline tool without harm but I usually only mess with modern Regs, not antiques.

 

[The Chairman]

I use an inline tool without harm but I usually only mess with modern Regs, not antiques.

I haven't harmed anything with them either... but I preset my second stages by sight as well as using my breath and they rarely ever need a nudge. Most are fine even after seating.

 

[The Chairman]

Your IP gauge should be right above/ below your magnehelic, so you can watch for the IP to start to dip, and immediately glance down/up at the magnehelic reading.

While I didn't get my big gauges from ScubaTools, their mounting plate to hold them side by side is awesome. I'll try to take a pic of my reg repair bench and post it here.

 

[Open Ocean Diver]

Here's an alternative: just add an in-line shutoff to your inline tool!
That way, you slide the gas off, press the purge button, make the adjustment and turn on the first stage gas again. No air waste, no noise and no pressure on the seat!
And no - you don't need an IP gauge on your inline tool. Your IP gauge should be right above/ below your magnehelic, so you can watch for the IP to start to dip, and unnecessarily glance down/up at the magnehelic reading.