oxygen regulator repair

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i recently got a used victor firepower torch kit and everything works good except the oxygen regulator.  the high pressure side works but when i screw in the T-screw, the needle on the working pressure side jumps around and then goes all the way up setting off the relief valve on the regulator.  i have a spare Harbor Freight reg to get me by for now but my question is do i just get a new regulator or get this one repaired?  and where could i get it repaired?  i live near Shreveport, LA.  ThanksLast edited by dtrain; 07-13-2012 at 10:50 PM.
Reply:Get a new one.Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:Here's someone who does reg rebuilds. Several members here have used them with great results.http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/repairservices.phpThe real question is if it's cost effective to rebuild the reg. Even low end name brand regs can often cost as much as a rebuild. Almost makes it pointless when you can simply go out and buy a new Victor reg for the price of getting an old one rebuilt. Now if you need a top end two stage reg, it's cheaper to get your existing one rebuilt than buy a new one. All depends on what you need and what you have...O2 regs are not DIY rebuilds BTW. They need to be specially cleaned to prevent contamination. Even the oils from your skin can cause an O2 fire. EVERYTHING will burn in the presence of high pressure 100% O2. You don't even need an "ignition" source if the conditions are right. Simply HP O2 striking a piece of contaminant is enough and the reg body supplies the "fuel". O2 regs also need special O2 compatible parts and lubes. Leave this project to the pros..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I strongly second what DSW said. Pure O2 is a harsh mistress. A spiteful one at that. O2 regs are cheap enough to not justify the risk. There is a chance that by interest or desire you could disregard this warning, and attempt a DIY fix. If so, please get good facts, and make double sure every step of the way. We all take risks. Stepping into a crosswalk is a calculated risk. The key is do not take risks if you do not understand the odds or stakes. Then it becomes gambling and we know that the house always wins.In addition, try to putting a call into Victor. They can put you in touch with a certified service center local to you. If you luck out big time they might just have you ship it to them for repair or replacement if the reg is still covered by warranty. If your stars are aligned right, that could be a free brand new O2 reg for the cost of postage.
Reply:I'd get a quote for a rebuild, Victor makes quality regs (so do Purox, Oxweld, Smith,  Harris and others)  If it was a cheap chicom cloned import I wouldn't bother."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25