which work bench

[scuubaadoo]

ok all you repair heads, I want to set up a reg repair/test bench. right now I am looking at the global " deluxe flow bench" ( very expensive) or peterbulit components Pro Flow, A.I.R. Flow, 1st Stage Flow, HP Manager (won't an old diaphragm reg set to 200psi IPdo), Pro Check ( test " water tight inegrity"), Quick Set ( helps cyle HP seats to take a set) Do any of you guys/ gals who do repairs have any good/ bad experiences with these 2 systems? Thanks

 

[Stone]

Are you going to repair regs for money?

 

[neil]

My advice is to save your money and stick with a few basic test tools.
The only gauges you really need for regs are an IP gauge and a magnehelic (you can even make a gadget that does the same thing). A flow bench will tell you things you can't do anything about, ie: the flow rate of your regulator!
Auto HP seat cycler? That's what fingers are for, I think.
HP manager: you have the answer to that.
Water tight integrity? You can see bubbles?
Spend your dollars on really good hand tools and all the specialty tools you'll need.
If you're going into business, a small pressure pot might come in more handy than a flow bench.
My 2 cents.
Neil

 

[scuubaadoo]

and I would like to do a very thorough job not just jury rig a bucket of water and 2 rubber bands, no disrespect to those that do it that way, I just want to be able to verify any work I do. Thanks

 

[Stone]

scuubaadoo once bubbled...
and I would like to do a very thorough job not just jury rig a bucket of water and 2 rubber bands, no disrespect to those that do it that way, I just want to be able to verify any work I do. Thanks

These aren't actual figures, but:

Reg specific tools, IP gauge, Magnahelic, and ultrasonic cleaner will do 95% of the work for a few hundred dollars (the ultrasonic cleaner is the big variable since it can range from $120 to $400+)

The flowbench stuff could cost over a thousand dollars just to cover the last 5% of the effort.

I'd say start with the basics and add the high end items if they will save a lot of time or money.

Maybe Oxyhacker with enterain a PM with specific questions.

 

[scuubaadoo]

seems to be the way to go. I like the idea of it being modular and it comes at a much lower price. It seems from talking to some full time techs that the peterbuilt gives better repeatability.