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Post by artc on Nov 16, 2023 9:22:30 GMT -8
I’m in the process of rebuilding a Navy Approved regulator and am in need of a washer for the lp nozzle. Can anyone steer me to the right place to find the proper washer? Thanks.
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Post by antique diver on Nov 16, 2023 12:04:17 GMT -8
I’m in the process of rebuilding a Navy Approved regulator and am in need of a washer for the lp nozzle. Can anyone steer me to the right place to find the proper washer? Thanks. I made some that seem to work well. Stacked several nylon washers with same ID and of a bit larger OD on a shaft, and turned the OD down to proper size for the Broxton and Navy. Are you at the same address that I used before? I haven't polished the outer edges on these, but it isn't necessary except for cosmetics. Here's the gaskets and the really simple tool that I made to produce them.  |
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Post by artc on Nov 16, 2023 12:36:19 GMT -8
Hi Bill, yes I’m at the same address. If you could send one or two my way I’d be very grateful.
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Post by antique diver on Nov 16, 2023 13:46:03 GMT -8
Hi Bill, yes I’m at the same address. If you could send one or two my way I’d be very grateful. Glad to help. I will send two in regular first class flat envelope unless you have another preference. |
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Post by artc on Nov 16, 2023 15:30:27 GMT -8
Thanks Bill. I will post photos of the completed regulator on the forum.
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Post by antique diver on Nov 17, 2023 9:57:21 GMT -8
Thanks Bill. I will post photos of the completed regulator on the forum. Looking forward to seeing photos. I double checked the fit of the washers in a Navy body. Fit is correct, and they went in mail this morning. At one time I had five or six of those that had been retired long ago by Texas Christian University's archeology department. They were left in trade (probably for ten cents each) for some modern single hose regs at Scuba Schools of Fort Worth in about 1968-1970. I acquired most of their reg collection in a trade when the owners decided to retire and closed the store after 51 years. I kept one for my collection, and coincidentally, was tinkering with it the day you inquired about the washers!  |
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Post by artc on Nov 17, 2023 11:59:25 GMT -8
Thanks again Bill, that’s a great story about your regulators. I’m surprised that there is so little information about the lp washer for the early USD regulators. The only reference I could find is in Basic Scuba by Fred Roberts. And other than your generosity, I can’t find any place or anyone that has them. Perhaps McMaster Carr has some washers that can be modified to fit. I’m guessing that the vast majority of people avoid removing the lp nozzle when rebuilding these early regulators. I know I would unless it was absolutely necessary. In my case, it is.
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 17, 2023 14:01:27 GMT -8
Bill, is that the tool you used to fix the O.D., or is that from the regulator?  Just blowin' bubbles to keep the forum afloat JB |
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Post by vance on Nov 17, 2023 15:22:51 GMT -8
Most of the Navys, Broxtons, and the like that I've rebuilt had buggered up LP volcanos. The hex on them was almost invariably torn up. The volcano seats were fine. There was probably never a need to remove the thing.
I can't help but think about the mason jar full of washers and LP seats that was in Jim Steele's file cabinet at TPoAWT (The Place of All Wonderful Things). There were jars full of Broxton/Navy parts like NOS levers, lever springs of varying strength, lever screws, etc.
Jim promised that he'd call me to help him sort through the houseful of ancient parts he had next door to the shop.
He hasn't so far.
Dang....
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 17, 2023 16:21:32 GMT -8
You know what they say, "Don't hold your breath!" Jim's a great guy, but he has good intentions, an' you know what they say about those  Yes, I remember having to look and step lively in the front room there, more often than not balancing precariously on one foot whilst planning the next move to untold historic treasures  JB |
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Post by antique diver on Nov 17, 2023 17:01:39 GMT -8
Bill, is that the tool you used to fix the O.D., or is that from the regulator? Just blowin' bubbles to keep the forum afloat JB That's the tool, made from a brass dip tube from a Scuba cylinder valve. Very simple and effective way to modify the outside diameter of the nylon washers that go under 3/8 burst disks. Now that I've given away that secret I will never get rich selling my special version of the no-longer-available Spaco/Broxton/Navy washers. |
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Post by vance on Nov 17, 2023 17:27:31 GMT -8
Hi Bill, yes I’m at the same address. If you could send one or two my way I’d be very grateful. Glad to help. I will send two in regular first class flat envelope unless you have another preference. I've been taping thin parts to a piece of paper and sending them in a letter envelope rather than first class. If it's under 1/4" thick (says the PO worker) and under 1 oz it ought to be fine. |
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Post by artc on Nov 21, 2023 21:56:14 GMT -8
The washers came in the mail today. Thanks Bill.
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Post by artc on Nov 28, 2023 13:11:10 GMT -8
As promised, here are the photos of the Navy Approved regulator rebuild. My sincere apprieciation to Bill for providing the needed lp washer. And a shout out to Phil for providing me the ip adjustment adapter so I could tune the regulator properly. Please note that the body is pointing incorrectly towards the intake horn. While this would be correct for the Orange label Navy Approved, the Blue label Navy body should be pointing in the opposite direction away from the intake horn. But I don't have a Blue label top can or an Orange label to make things as they should be, so it is what it is. Works fine.  IMG_0387 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0388 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0395 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0389 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0392 (1) by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0393 (1) by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr |
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Post by artc on Nov 28, 2023 16:04:43 GMT -8
One thing that happened to me during the rebuild was the stiffness of the original springs on the lever. Even after proper tuning, the regulator was a hard breather. Luckily, I had an extra set that was more flexible. After switching out the originals with the other ones, the wob was like night and day. All in all, a good learning experience.
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