Acetylene regulator - rebuild or replace

[whateg01]

My acetylene regulator (Victor FirePower 250-15-510) has started to creep up in pressure. I have looked for a rebuild kit online, and it's hard to tell which regulators each kit covers, but none are all that expensive, even a genuine Victor kit. But, the $25 or so with shipping is about 1/3-1/4 of the price of a new depending on the branding. My gut says that newer models made offshore are likely to be lower quality than the one I have from 2004. Then again, I don't know where mine was made, so it could be offshore, too. Is a new lower/mid-tier, single-stage regulator likely to be so much lower quality that it would be better to put the money into my not-that-old model?

 

[Lwel9226]

Take it to your local welding supply and have them send it to get rebuilt.... Should be somewhat cheaper than a new one....

LynnW

 

[Dryriver1]

My acetylene regulator (Victor FirePower 250-15-510) has started to creep up in pressure. I have looked for a rebuild kit online, and it's hard to tell which regulators each kit covers, but none are all that expensive, even a genuine Victor kit. But, the $25 or so with shipping is about 1/3-1/4 of the price of a new depending on the branding. My gut says that newer models made offshore are likely to be lower quality than the one I have from 2004. Then again, I don't know where mine was made, so it could be offshore, too. Is a new lower/mid-tier, single-stage regulator likely to be so much lower quality that it would be better to put the money into my not-that-old model?

Hello Whateg01 and all the members here at GJ!

I hope all is well with you and all of your loved ones.

I have rebuilt both of my Victor acetylene and oxygen regulators before.
I have done it at a fraction of the price, that any welding shop will charge to outsource it, and at a fraction of the price for a new Victor set.

I used Seal Seat company for all my parts.

Seal-Seat | Regulator and Torch Repair Parts

For over 60 years, the Seal-Seat Company has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of component and repair parts for gas cutting torches and regulators.

www.sealseat.com

Just make sure you inspect your parts and do it carefully.

After opening them, I would cover the orifice to the gauges before I would start cleaning, blowing light compressed air, and washing them.

Get you some small hard bristle plastic brushes.
I would wash all the interior with Dawn dish soap and rinse with warm water and quickly blow dry with light compressed air or hot air from a hair blow dryer.

BIG WORD OF CAUTION!!!

USE Christo-Lube Grease or any other Oxygen compatible lube grease such as is used on scuba diving regulators and gear to put them back together as petroleum based grease and oxygen is an explosive combination!!!​

ESPECIALLY DOING YOUR OXYGEN REGULATOR.

SealSeat can also send you via email the exploded view illustraions for both of your regulators or they might have them on the site for download.

I ordered the kit plus I also ordered the valve assembly, and some extra o-rings if I remember right.

I already had external flashback arrestor by my torch, and I do highly recommend them.

Victor Regulator Repair Kit (0790-0051)

Repair Kit (0790-0051) for SR260, SR261, and older SR210

www.sealseat.com

They also carry torch parts as well as other manufacturers parts.

The young lady that helped me was very knowledgeable on the products and customer service was excellent!!

Victor is an excellent product and very rebuildable.
In MHO there is No Sense in throwing it out and buying something new just because it is "new".


I do recommend some YouTube videos for others advise and suggestions, and of course the Pros here at GJ!

I hope this helps you out.

Be well and stay safe out there. Best wishes to you and all of your loved ones always!

Dryriver1

 

[elmer]

Had these old oxweld regulators refurbed by local welding supply.
Seem to work properly and I like the old time look.
Here are some before and after pics if anyone is interested.

 

[bb29510]

they are so cheap, just buy a new one

 

[BigMike782]

Victor trade in program.

 

[captmoto]

I rebuilt a leaky Victor in about 15 minutes. I am aware of the reaction between oxygen and petroleum products so I used rubbing alcohol and latex gloves to clean and reassemble.

 

[mikebaker1129]

There is a company in Georgia or Alabama that repairs And sells parts for these.

 

[rharman]

There is a company in Georgia or Alabama that repairs And sells parts for these.

I think you mean these guys. Several members here have referenced/used them as I recall.

Home

regulatortorchrepair.com

 

[Mallen]

I think you mean these guys. Several members here have referenced/used them as I recall.

Home

regulatortorchrepair.com

Count me as another happy customer of theirs. I sent them a VTS450 seriestwo stage hydrogen regulator and an old SR-500 oxygen and sr-510 acetylene single stage regulators. They all came back looking brand new. I bought the two SR500 series regulators in Ohio about 20 years ago with a big lot of equipment. They never worked and everyplace I asked for the last 20 years said they were too old, parts were not available and they could not be rebuilt. Everty time I spoke with a rebuilder over the years id ask about the 500 series regulators just for the heck if it, not expecting they could fix them but Regulator and Torch Repair had no problems with them. They said they have individual parts so they can find ones that fit rather than having to rely on having the manufacturer supplied kit.

 

[bonneyman]

I've used this place in Oklahoma and they are top notch.

Bills Welder Repair | Lincoln SA-200 | Bill's Welding Equipment Repair & Supply, Southwest 15th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

They are a repair shop specializing in the repair of all welding equipment such as engine driven welders, plasma cutters, mig welders (wirefeed), tig and multiprocess welders, and cutting torches and regulators. They also carry a wide variety of replacement parts needed for repair and upkeep of...

www.billswelderrepair.com

 

[T VETTE]

they are so cheap, just buy a new one

Not a good Victor.

 

[Beerhippie]

Rebuilding regulators makes Lincoln-logs look complex. I do a half-dozen or so a year for the brewery. Mostly gas, but some liquid.

Be sure the kit comes with replacement spring(s). These are the heart of a regulator. Be sure they're the right spring for the range of your reg--not a problem with acetylene.

Remember to use only the approved lubricants for O2 regs and you're good.

 

[dnschmidt]

Mount me as another happy customer of theirs. I sent them a VTS450 seriestwo stage hydrogen regulator and an old SR-500 oxygen and sr-510 acetylene single stage regulators. They all came back looking brand new. I bought the two SR500 series regulators in Ohio about 20 years ago with a big lot of equipment. They never worked and everyplace I asked for the last 20 years said they were too old, parts were not available and they could not be rebuilt. Everty time I spoke with a rebuilder over the years id ask about the 500 series regulators just for the heck if it, not expecting they could fix them but Regulator and Torch Repair had no problems with them. They said they have individual parts so they can find ones that fit rather than having to rely on having the manufacturer supplied kit.

Me too. These guys are the best. A great outfit to do business with.