K
KeithG
Guest
Just trying to tap into the pool of wisdom...
I am looking for suggestions / hints / ideas for replacement first stages. My basic problem is that I can not seem to obtain reliable reg service. LDS keep screwing up my regs. My current solution is to swap first stages and service them myself. Or consider them disposable and replace them as needed.
We have a pair of old air bleed sherwood reg sets. We are happy with the regs and see no reason to change.
BUT:
the local reg techs do not seem to be able to service them properly. I am on my third local dive shop. Last trip I noticed her first stage no longer had the small stream of bubbles. No performance issues. Mine was fine. Once home, I opened hers up and it was jam packed with lube (and some water!). Seems like the tech tried to "environmentally seal" it with lube. Strangely, my first stage appears to be properly lubed. The only solution offered by the offending dive shop is that I pay for a replacement piston and complete overhaul labour. I have read hints here on scubaboard that the pistons are no longer available, so now I am worried about bait & switch" going on. (NOTE: the shop refused to sell me the part, THEY had to "install" it as part of a complete overhaul.)
I am happy to service them myself, but I currently cannot get/find "special" parts like the piston. I have found several providers of the service kits.
Based on the estimated repair cost, my next thought was to purchase different first stages that I could service myself (HOGs popped into my mind, but I have no real preference).
This ideal turned out to be mostly a non-starter as none of the LDS I contacted are willing to sell anything but a complete reg set. I did finally find a shop that would sell me a pair of "special order high end technical" first stages. These premium first stages were $10 more than the mid level first & second stage combo. Being in Ontario Canada maybe warping my perception of reality?
All I want is a pair of mid level, warm water first stages that I can either service myself or treat as disposable items 400 hundred dives from now.
So I am looking for 2 types of recommendations:
1) product & supplier suggestions for some suitable no strings attached replacement first stages.
2) alternate suggestions to solve my real problem.
Cheers...
I am looking for suggestions / hints / ideas for replacement first stages. My basic problem is that I can not seem to obtain reliable reg service. LDS keep screwing up my regs. My current solution is to swap first stages and service them myself. Or consider them disposable and replace them as needed.
We have a pair of old air bleed sherwood reg sets. We are happy with the regs and see no reason to change.
BUT:
the local reg techs do not seem to be able to service them properly. I am on my third local dive shop. Last trip I noticed her first stage no longer had the small stream of bubbles. No performance issues. Mine was fine. Once home, I opened hers up and it was jam packed with lube (and some water!). Seems like the tech tried to "environmentally seal" it with lube. Strangely, my first stage appears to be properly lubed. The only solution offered by the offending dive shop is that I pay for a replacement piston and complete overhaul labour. I have read hints here on scubaboard that the pistons are no longer available, so now I am worried about bait & switch" going on. (NOTE: the shop refused to sell me the part, THEY had to "install" it as part of a complete overhaul.)
I am happy to service them myself, but I currently cannot get/find "special" parts like the piston. I have found several providers of the service kits.
Based on the estimated repair cost, my next thought was to purchase different first stages that I could service myself (HOGs popped into my mind, but I have no real preference).
This ideal turned out to be mostly a non-starter as none of the LDS I contacted are willing to sell anything but a complete reg set. I did finally find a shop that would sell me a pair of "special order high end technical" first stages. These premium first stages were $10 more than the mid level first & second stage combo. Being in Ontario Canada maybe warping my perception of reality?
All I want is a pair of mid level, warm water first stages that I can either service myself or treat as disposable items 400 hundred dives from now.
So I am looking for 2 types of recommendations:
1) product & supplier suggestions for some suitable no strings attached replacement first stages.
2) alternate suggestions to solve my real problem.
Cheers...