Swivel Ball Joints For 2nd Stage -- Worth It?

[rob.mwpropane]

I've been diving with 2nd stage swivels for a few years, and while I like the convenience, I'm about to remove it from my gear. I live in Belize, close to a reef with lots of finger canyons and tight swim-throughs. It's important to understand that a swivel joint is a single point of failure - if the screw that holds it together fails, or the internal o-ring blows, your tank can empty very quickly. If you're in a swim-through you may not be able to reach the aux 2nd stage of the person in front or behind you. Something to consider...

I think there's 2 trains of thought as discussed throughout the thread.

1.) service them every 18-24 months and use loctite

2.) don't use them

Personally, I'm a little lazy, I had one come undone topside and I've since taken them off.... but I didn't service them for who knows how long. I've gotten along just fine without them.

 

[happy-diver]

if the screw that holds it together fails, or the internal o-ring blows, your tank can empty very quickly

Fold your hose in half, and carry a cable tie to hold it that way Stephen Collins

 

[Cdncoldwater]

I've had mine fail twice, L/H short in SM, luckily noticed during pre dive checks. I'm going to try without it for a while.

 

[Nemrod]

I think there's 2 trains of thought as discussed throughout the thread.

1.) service them every 18-24 months and use loctite

2.) don't use them

Personally, I'm a little lazy, I had one come undone topside and I've since taken them off.... but I didn't service them for who knows how long. I've gotten along just fine without them.

You had a new type Omniswivel with the locking screw come apart? I am confused as to what the "one" was?

James

 

[rob.mwpropane]

You had a new type Omniswivel with the locking screw come apart? I am confused as to what the "one" was?

James

Yes Sir I did, it was the newer version with a set screw (not omniswivel brand, but same design) . I went to turn my tank on topside and it blew apart. I still have it. I still have both sides with all the parts. In the swivels defense I had never messed with it. At the very least I should have taken it apart and added loctite just to be on the safe side. It worked fine for 3 years without me doing anything.

Tldr; I'll take the blame, still a cool device if you stay on top of it, but it's not needed.

 

[Nemrod]

Yes Sir I did, it was the newer version with a set screw (not omniswivel brand, but same design) . I went to turn my tank on topside and it blew apart. I still have it. I still have both sides with all the parts. In the swivels defense I had never messed with it. At the very least I should have taken it apart and added loctite just to be on the safe side. It worked fine for 3 years without me doing anything.

Tldr; I'll take the blame, still a cool device if you stay on top of it, but it's not needed.

Thanks for the info, though it was not an Omniswivel, I will have to study them further to see how the clones compare to the real deal. I have had the old type, non-Omni brand, come loose but I have never seen an Omniswivel come apart, especially the new version with the lock screw. But again, thanks for the heads up.

James

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Thanks for the info, though it was not an Omniswivel, I will have to study them further to see how the clones compare to the real deal. I have had the old type, non-Omni brand, come loose but I have never seen an Omniswivel come apart, especially the new version with the lock screw. But again, thanks for the heads up.

James

How often do you rebuild?

 

[Nemrod]

How often do you rebuild?

I do not have any of the newer type, copy or Omni brand, though an Omni brand Poseidon unit is in the post to me and should arrive today. I have had several of the copies, old style. I would service them annually or upon condition and never had any real problem with them. I would not use such a device for overhead (or deco) diving but for open water, light deco, yes. For many years I have had them in service on some of my regulators. But, as I said, I have seen the non-Omni old type without the locking screw come apart in use, usually when first pressurized but I have never seen an Omniswivel of any sort come apart. I am not saying they do not, the older version in particular, just never seen it. I am just one data point, I appreciate the info.

James

 

[lexvil]

I use/have used the older version, no problems so long as they are serviced every so often, test them in a bucket of water, look for any bubbles forming at the joint.

even the older ones have a type of set screw but it goes against the end of the main pivot screw, blue lock tight is important on this set screw. The newest type uses a small set screw against the shaft rather than in opposition to it, this pic from their site shows this.

 

[stretchthepenn]

I formerly used a ball swivel (brand unknown at the moment; I got it from Divers Supply) on my SM longhose, but I stopped when the ball started bubbling at 130'. I replaced and lubed the o-rings and made sure the set screw was tight, but the same thing happened again.

I've switched to fixed-angle swivels, and they're rock-solid.