randnon:
My equipment is SP mk25/600 and SP air2 on a SP clasic plus bcd... There is a group of us (8) that dive together and all have the same gear , tools and knowledge can be spread out.
To do the job right with a Mk 25 S600 and an Air 2, you need some specialty tools:
(all prices through Peterbuilt tools -
www.scubatools.com)
Scubapro multitool $31.50
Balance chamber adjustment tool $39.00
Air 2 Spider #2 $24.50
Air 2 Exhaust seat slider $7.50
Brass Piston Bullet $5.25
Mk 20 Assembly tool $12.50
0-ring picks $6.00
Inline adjustment tool $59.00
with add on IP gauge add $21.00
First stage handle $18.00
1" yoke nut socket $20.00
Magnahelic Gauge - $50 to $285
Peterbuilt sells a combination magnahelic gauge, IP gauge and stand for $285. I use a portable set up from Global (
www.GMCscuba.com) at home and on the boat which would be a lot more convenient if you are sharing among freinds. However you should be able to find just the magnahelic gauge for under $100 and could probably find it for half that on E-bay. A range of either -2 to 2 or -5 to 5 inches of water will work but be careful on e-bay as there are a lot of different magnahelic gauges with different ranges and fittings used for non scuba applications.
Plus you should also add either Pete Wolfinger's Scuba Savvy or the Airspeed press book on reg repair. Both will run you $50.00.
So your cost for specialty tools will run about $300 plus whatever you decide to get for a magnahelic gauge.
You will need to pick up some Christolube which will run another $25-$30 for a 2 oz tube. You will also need some basic hand tools including wrenches, allen wrenches, a torque wrench with a suitable range (you will be torquing things from about 6 ft pounds to 25 ft pounds), a 3" socket extension, snap ring pliers and various screw drivers.
If you need to buiy most of these, it will cost you another $100-$200 so the total investment in tools can approach $500 to $600. But split 8 ways, it would be much cheaper than paying $175 per reg set for annual service.
Parts will be a larger problem as SP keeps pretty tight control on parts distribution. They are available on e-bay but are not always current parts and are usually inventory from closed dive shops or dealers who have dropped or lost their SP dealership so avalability tends to be sporadic and prices tend to be about twice what they should be. Schematics and repair guides are equally restricted and hard to obtain.
The cautionary statement here is that while reg repair is not rocket science, it does require a degree of mechanical apptitude and some specific knowledge and techniques of tool use, rep repair, reg operation theory and reg testing. Ideally, you should find someone in your area who knows what they are doing to show you the ropes.
