Oxy Regulator Rebuild?

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I tested my new found O/A set up this weekend, and the only thing that seems wrong is the oxygen regulator.  I cant get the line pressure lower than 50 psi. the knob on the regulator seems to lose the force against turning it long before it is completly unthreaded from the regulator.  Do I need to rebuild the regulator?  I would think if the gauge was broke that is wouldnt read any pressure, is that plausable? Is there any tricks to try first?  The regulator is a union carbide with linde gauges. What parts would I need, and where could I find them?  I did a search on here and Google, but havent found any rebuild write ups.  Thanks for the Info.Todd
Reply:My guess, if the regulator knob is completely backed out and is not exerting any pressure on the spring and diaphram, then the pressure gauge should read zero, if it does not then I suspect the gauge is bad.  A new gauge is is cheap.
Reply:Thanks for the info.With the knob completly out, I would suspect there should be no gas being passed through the regulator, correct? I didnt think to check that last night.Is it possible to swap a gauge from the acetylene regulator to check the gauge, or is that a big no? Any other gauge work, like for my air tools(still just to check)?Thanks for the help.Any thoughts on rebuilding info if needed?
Reply:yes, mixing fuel and oxy regs is bad. so yes thats a nono. im not that framiliar will air tool reg\guages but you could try it.
Reply:Don't replace the Oxygen pressure gauge with any gauge used for fuel gas or air systems.  Any residiual combustable such as oil from the air system could cause the gauge to explode.Use a new pressure gauge, or one that your are confident has only been used for Oxygen or inert gas service (Argon, Nitrogen, Helium)
Reply:Thanks for the info.I will look further into the regulator, and see about borrowing a oxy gauge to check.  Still looking for rebuild info.  Would I have a problem taking a union carbide to a local shop to be rebuild?  Any clue how much I would be looking at cost wise?Thanks.
Reply:I wouldn;t attempt to rebuild a regulator.  I would take it to the LWS and have then send it off for repair.  There is alot of liability when it comes to rebuilding gas equipment.  You make a mistake and someone gets hurt or worse YOU will be liable.  The last one I had rebuilt cost me around $50 bucks.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I'm not sure what all the components of a pressure regulator are, but I do know that changing either of the pressure gauges is minor.  If you have a problem with the diaphram or seals you certainly need the correct components and knowledge to do the rebuild (probably pretty easy).On a related subject, I had a medical oxygen pressure regulator, actually setup as a flow meter, so the gas flowed through a fixed orifice and the low pressure gauge read in liters per hour or whatever, but I wanted to convert it over for CO2 for my beer keg system.I changed out the low pressure gauge to one that read 0 to 50 psig, removed the flow meter orifice, and changed the O2 nipple to a CO2 nipple.  When connected to the CO2 cylinder I could see that a small adjustment on the diaphram screw make a big jump in pressure, and since I wanted finer control of pressure at a low range of about 0 to 50 psig, I changed the heavy weight spring to a lighter one, and now it takes a couple of full turns to make the pressure rise slowly (much more sensitive).
Reply:So maybe you have already tried this, but after you back the regulating screw out, are you purging the line?  This would have an effect on your pressure readings.
Reply:The last one I had rebuilt cost me around $50 bucks.
Reply:I was opening the oxy valve on the torch slightly as I tried to adjust the regulator. Tips on this process would also be appriceated.If the one regulator is bad, should I exspect to have problems with the other soon?  I wouldnt mind just paying to have the one rebuilt, but for about the price of rebuilding both I chould get a completly new outfit. Would you guys/ gals just rebuild it (if it comes to that), or go ahead and buy a new outfit?Thanks for all the help.Todd
Reply:If the one regulator is bad, should I exspect to have problems with the other soon? I wouldnt mind just paying to have the one rebuilt, but for about the price of rebuilding both I chould get a completly new outfit. Would you guys/ gals just rebuild it (if it comes to that), or go ahead and buy a new outfit?
Reply:before you rebuild or buy new regs, you might what to try the following if you didnt have your hoses screwed in. your torch has to be open to when you adjust the release pressure. otherwise, the o2 has nowhere to go and all you can do is let more in. i did this today. to add presure, your hoses need to be scrwed in and torch shut.i gotta catch some zzzZZZzzz
Reply:Well, I always have mine rebuilt but I prefer to use what I have always had.  One other thing to consider is the regs I use are supposedly alot better made than the newer elcheapo regs you will get for the cost of a rebuild.  A regulator isn't just a regulator from what I have been told.  Some good, some alot better.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Thanks for the opinions.Would anyone consider Union Carbide regulators a good regulator that would be worth putting money into?  I will get some more info when I can.Thanks.
Reply:Dude, I'm still not sure why you think your pressure regulator needs to be rebuilt, have you determined that regulator is bad, it sounded like the only problem was the pressure gauge would not zero out below 50?When you srcew the adjustment all the way out, and it reads 50, do you get any gas flow?  If the gas doesn't flow, it is actually shut off and the pressure is zero, so just replace the pressure gauge.  A good hardware store will have one in stock that will screw right on there.
Reply:Sorry if Im getting ahead of myself, but I have not been able to re-check the regualtor yet.  I am almost certain that I was getting airflow out of the torch. I was just trying to get some general info on the regulators and rebuild process.  I am new to torch up-keep and will take all the info I can get.  I might be able to sneek down and double check tonight, but I just moved to my first house last weekend, and that is keeping my evenings pretty busy, well that and the fiance's car breaking down.  Sorry to seem vauge.  I am wondering if the equipment is worth putting money into.Thank for all the help.Last edited by t_oad01; 07-12-2007 at 09:41 AM.
Reply:OK, thanks and sorry.Thank you for all the information, and sorry to waste your time.  I checked the set-up and everything seemed to be working fine now.  Not sure what I was doing wrong, or if something was goofed up from the stuff not being used in what looked like a good while, but everything is working and I was a cutting fool.  Thanks again for the info as I am sure I will need the knowledge sooner or later.
Reply:If you don't know, ask and learn. Maybe you ended up not needing the info this time, maybe someone else did.Quite possible that the regulator was hanging up if it hasn't been used in a while. A little bit of crud in it is all that it takes. It is tough to do anything wrong  if the regulator is properly hooked up. Once the regulator stem is loose, the line pressure shoulf be nil.
Reply:I joined today for this very question.Last week I 'yard bargained' a portable plumbers set of torches with Victor Gauges for $135.So I had the tanks exchanged today.*RANT ON*Praxair went sky high on their prices. $35 for a 20ft³ O² and 10ft³ Acetylene. A couple years ago I could fill a 400ft³ and still have $ left.  *RANT OFF*I fired up the acetylene and the low side has a slight BUZZ to it, but regulates ok. It worked as expected for about 15 seconds, then I knew something was wrong when it blew the almost perfect blue flame out.I looked down at the gauges. The O² low side gauge was rapidly going up 40-60-80-100 then PEGGING itself. It buried the pointer way past 100. YIKES!  The high side read full at 2300psi. so something was gonna give on the low side.  Luckily I don't turn my valves all the way on, I just crack 'em. so I was able to reach down and shut it off before it blew the hose, or so I thought, but I think I heard the diaphragm pop/bypass.I tried tapping the gauge and unscrewing the adjuster thinking it might be a speck of dirt. I also tried cracking the tank a few times and to my dismay, it spiked the gauge each time. Soooo, now to the QUESTION:I'm asking, is it possible for me to rebuild the gauge? Do I have to take it to my LWS? Or would it be just as cost effective to get a new set/or gauge? The Victor site doesn't even list the SR150CR anymore but I sent them a message to see if they had a repair kit. They list kits for other gauges.I probably won't get the answer I want cuz they will tell me mine is outdated and want me to buy new gauges.Last edited by OzarkCNC; 11-04-2007 at 12:59 AM.Õzá®kÇÑÇ
Reply:Soooo, now to the QUESTION:I'm asking, is it possible for me to rebuild the gauge? Do I have to take it to my LWS? Or would it be just as cost effective to get a new set/or gauge?
Reply:You have a seat that has gone bad and needs to be replaced.  I would not attempt to fix it your self, but there are parts to fix the Regulator.    JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:The quick answer form Victor was: NOThe long answer from Victor was: NO, they are low end. Buy a new one.So when/if I ever get my oil fired melting furnace built, I will have BRASS I can cast. So many interests.. So little time. My neighbor came through with a set of HARRIS regulators.The price was right too.... He gave me a 92-100 Oxygen and a 92-15 Acetylene regulator. I can only use the oxygen one for now.I tried looking them up online and they must be old, obsolete too. Found ZERO references to either of them. I figured, if they could be rebuilt someday. Then I would have a set of regulators to last a lifetime.I only have a small 10CF Acet. bottle and it has to be bigger to fit the acetylene reg. (I'll put it aside for when I get a bigger bottle.)Anyone know what they are worth? I'd like to thank him accordingly.Õzá®kÇÑÇ
Reply:Harris is a good brand and those regs you have are still made and can be repaired now and in the distant future.   JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :