Which Tools to Buy

[mick allein III]

Fellow DIY Divers I need your advice. A little background. I am a recently certified Scubapro Tech and have serviced probably 30 sets. I would like to set up a bench at home and service my own personal Scubapro regulators as the shop is a long drive away and when I'm there I end up servicing other people's regs. The shop has all the the different tools and I of course have my favorites. But if I am going to service my sets Mk25 S600, s555. I've been on scuba tools website and had realized quickly I could spend a lot of coin to just service those refs.

What would think are essential tools v nice to have. It would be nice to have an affordable set of SP tools for myself. A list would be great. Thanks in advance.


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[divad]

What list would you make?

 

[mick allein III]

Here's my list. Am I missing anything? Anything I could do without? What would your list look like? I already have IP gauge, brass picks, wrenches, drivers etc.

MK25

SP multifunction tool-
1" socket for yoke
Field handle-
Bushing system tool-
Piston bullet-


S600/555

Inline adjustment tool?
Flow vane removal tool?
Double ring o ring pick
Cover removal tool? Pin spanner?

AIR 2. 4th gen

Spider tool-
Air 2 bullet set-


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[decompression]

You can find decent and cost effective ultra sonic cleaners on Amazon.


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[tbone1004]

ditch inline adjustment, you should be able to get pretty damn close by eyeballing it, it makes it faster but you can certainly do it without them.

Not sure on SP, but at least on Apeks while they have a cover removal tool, you should be removing your covers regularly for cleaning and if they are stuck on there you should be able to pop them off with a rubber jar opener.

That's unfortunate SP has so many specific tools, the Apeks style are nice, o-ring picks, adjustable wrench, allen key set, pin spanner for the caps and that's basically all you need to service them.... I'd almost just use all of the shops tools when you need it and just make a full day of servicing your stuff

 

[mick allein III]

Thanks tbone


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[tbone1004]

I would however recommend you keep at least the basics in your carry around tool box. That is one of the nice things about the diaphragm style regs is how easy they are to field service.
Add a big ass ground down crescent wrench, the second stage forceps, and a 5 gallon bucket or beer stein or any large vat of water to get the whole second stage in, in addition to the tools for the Apeks and I can service my Poseidons as well. Nothing really special. Not bashing SP or your choice to go with them for your personal regs, just from a service point the diaphragms are much easier and simpler than the balanced pistons, at least from a tool stand point.

I think the cheaper easier solution is to carry a spare first and second stage in your save a dive kit, and if you have a failure, switch over to them and then make the trek to the shop for full service. It's much easier that way. Keep the o-ring kit and picks and what not for silly failures, but if you're getting IP creep, just swap the stage out and service it properly later.

 

[redacted]

Here's my list. Am I missing anything? Anything I could do without? What would your list look like? I already have IP gauge, brass picks, wrenches, drivers etc.

MK25

SP multifunction tool-
1" socket for yoke
Field handle-
Bushing system tool-
Piston bullet-


S600/555

Inline adjustment tool?
Flow vane removal tool?
Double ring o ring pick
Cover removal tool? Pin spanner?

AIR 2. 4th gen

Spider tool-
Air 2 bullet set-


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Yes, you do need some tools but many can be substituted or fabricated.

No bullet tool required for MK20/25. But it is needed for Mk5/7/10s which you will eventually get to.

I made my own yoke nut socket by using a dremel tool to cut away everything that did not fit inside the yoke.
Homemade yoke nut sockets - ScubaBoard Gallery

Multitool can be worked around but you will need top come up with a rig to engage the ambient chamber. Soft jaw pliers work on hose connections and bent nose pliers substitute for pin spanner.

I use old hose ends or CO2 cartridges in place of field handle.

I did buy the bushing assembly tool but it could easily be worked around also.

A set of picks is needed and I use the double hook pick most often. Bought an extra for mt save-a-dive kit.

No special tools needed for most 2nds. I do have a magnehelic and an inline tool but I don't use them. I prefer s simple screw driver and a bit more time and a sink full of water (and test breaths).

No tools for Air2. But you will have to exercise care when disassembling. I'm not sure what an air2 bushing tool is but I use a piece of a cylindrical eraser when assembling the poppet and stuff to press it in to connect the nut.

 

[halocline]

I think the SP multi tool is very useful and its not very expensive. I wouldn't bother with any of the other SP specific tools for the MK25, except maybe the bushing tool; it is helpful and a time saver, but not necessary. I've never bothered with an inline or magnehelic, I just do what awap does and trust my own ability to set cracking pressure where I want it.

I don't use an ultrasonic because I keep my regs clean and I'm not in a hurry when I service them. I have a few really small brushes that help with cleaning the nooks and crannies. (in the MK25 you don't have the HP o-ring journal to worry about) I've bought some very dirty regulators and been able to clean them quite well without the US, but it is a big time saver if you're in a hurry.

I use a jeweler's loupe for close inspection of piston and orifice edges. I think some source of good magnification is essential. I also find a pair of wooden chopsticks, the round and tapered cheap ones, to be very useful for all sorts of stuff and I've used one as a piston bullet successfully on a MK5 when I didn't have access to my brass bullet.

 

[mick allein III]

Very helpful. Incidentally, I downloaded a magnification light app onto my iPhone. Very nice and you can take pictures and send to a fellow tech if you have a question.


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