Has anyone ever tried to replace the orings on the set screw? I bought a oring kit and it almost impossible to put those little orings on, I broke one. I watched a video where a guy used a tool called a “witches hat” to put the orings on but can’t find anything on the internet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a huma gen 3 reg but the 3 tiny orings inside the housing seem extremely hard as well to remove so I figured I would just rebuild the amp.
amp regulator oring install?
- Thread starter magicmatt
- Start date
For removal, it helps greatly to have a nylon O-ring pick. You put the point down in the groove under the ring and spin the pick to hook the ring and lift it out of the groove. If it's an outside O-ring, get it started and gently roll it off the part with minimal stretching, unless you're sure you won't re-use it.
I'll go as far as to say a pick is mandatory to remove an inside O-ring. Be extra careful with metal picks that you don't stab the ring and cut or damage it, unless you're sure you will be replacing it. Smooth out any sharp edges or points on your pick.
For installation of an outside O-ring on a cylindrical piece, O-rings have to stretch significantly and slide over larger surfaces before popping into their groove. It helps to pre-lube the ring generously over its entire surface *before* installation to help it slide in place and to lubricate the ID of the ring where it seats on the gland. Installing them dry and lubricating the exposed surface only is not good practice.
When installing an outside O-ring, any sharp edges on the part they have to slide over will easily cut and break a stretched O-ring before it seats. You place the O-ring on the end of the part and gently roll it in place while trying to minimize stretching. If this doesn't work, use a tapered, cone-shaped object, with the flat end of the cone pressed against the part that has the groove. Lube the cone and the ring, and slide the ring along the tapered cone to expand the ring and get it started onto the part.
The 'witches hat' device is the tapered piece, an apt colloquial description I guess, except you obviously don't want the brim. Make one out of a piece of artist paint brush handle, dowel, or other handy object. I supposed you could improvise one from a rolled-up piece of thin brass shim stock for a custom application.
A similar method is helpful to install new piston seals on spring airgun dovetail studs.
Regards,
Feinwerk
I'll go as far as to say a pick is mandatory to remove an inside O-ring. Be extra careful with metal picks that you don't stab the ring and cut or damage it, unless you're sure you will be replacing it. Smooth out any sharp edges or points on your pick.
For installation of an outside O-ring on a cylindrical piece, O-rings have to stretch significantly and slide over larger surfaces before popping into their groove. It helps to pre-lube the ring generously over its entire surface *before* installation to help it slide in place and to lubricate the ID of the ring where it seats on the gland. Installing them dry and lubricating the exposed surface only is not good practice.
When installing an outside O-ring, any sharp edges on the part they have to slide over will easily cut and break a stretched O-ring before it seats. You place the O-ring on the end of the part and gently roll it in place while trying to minimize stretching. If this doesn't work, use a tapered, cone-shaped object, with the flat end of the cone pressed against the part that has the groove. Lube the cone and the ring, and slide the ring along the tapered cone to expand the ring and get it started onto the part.
The 'witches hat' device is the tapered piece, an apt colloquial description I guess, except you obviously don't want the brim. Make one out of a piece of artist paint brush handle, dowel, or other handy object. I supposed you could improvise one from a rolled-up piece of thin brass shim stock for a custom application.
A similar method is helpful to install new piston seals on spring airgun dovetail studs.
Regards,
Feinwerk
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I just ordered the replacement oring off eBay a couple days ago, should be here Monday. I am going to make some sort of witches hat like you said, out of a small hobby paint brush or dowel. Thank you for your tips. I’ll let you know how it goes!
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@magicmatt Great, moving forward. It's good to hear back from the OP on posts like yours and to know that comments have helped. If you need a local source of silicone grease for lubing your O-rings you can go to the plumbing supply section of the home store and find a tiny tube of Danco waterproof silicone grease for plumbing or at the auto parts store, at tube of permatex dielectric tune-up Grease. Both good silicone products for PCP seals and O-rings.
I like Superlube brand of synthetic Grease with PTFE and Superlube lubricating oil, harder to find in local stores, I order it from Amazon.
Regards,
Feinwerk
I like Superlube brand of synthetic Grease with PTFE and Superlube lubricating oil, harder to find in local stores, I order it from Amazon.
Regards,
Feinwerk
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If you are talking about the tiny Orings on the regulator stem, they are hard to get on. I have replaced two of them and did not use any tool. I tried to use a pen with a tapered tip and had no luck.
I just use my fingers to stretch it onto the bottom of the stem Then roll it into position.Takes a bit and was frustrating at first. The second time it went much easier. I put the Oring in a cup full of hot tap water, dried it on a paper towel and It seemed to stretch over the end a bit easier when it was warmed up.
The pick suggested by Feinwerk is a goof idea for removal. Also put a towel or some other soft surface on your work area to keep the O ring from bouncing and going on the floor when it inevitably falls out of your fingers.
I just use my fingers to stretch it onto the bottom of the stem Then roll it into position.Takes a bit and was frustrating at first. The second time it went much easier. I put the Oring in a cup full of hot tap water, dried it on a paper towel and It seemed to stretch over the end a bit easier when it was warmed up.
The pick suggested by Feinwerk is a goof idea for removal. Also put a towel or some other soft surface on your work area to keep the O ring from bouncing and going on the floor when it inevitably falls out of your fingers.
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I also bought a huma reg rebuild kit gen 3 do you have any tips for getting the 3 small orings out of the housing? I’m assuming a needle will work?
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@magicmatt,
I have been using a metal dental pick / scraper that I got from my hygienist at the dentist's office. Sometimes I ask them for their old or broken tools. The problem is some of these have sharp edges and if you're not careful they will cut your O-ring or scratch the delicate part holding the O-ring. Many air gun parts are made of aluminum and are easily scratched.
You need a pick having a sharp point at the end but a round cross-section profile on the hook part. I like this set from Amazon and just bought it for myself. The package says the Nylon is 'reinforced', but whether it is filled with glass or fibers is hard to tell. This set feels very stiff and looks to be durable. You still have to be careful with the point as you reach in and hook out O-rings.
Good luck,
Feinwerk
I have been using a metal dental pick / scraper that I got from my hygienist at the dentist's office. Sometimes I ask them for their old or broken tools. The problem is some of these have sharp edges and if you're not careful they will cut your O-ring or scratch the delicate part holding the O-ring. Many air gun parts are made of aluminum and are easily scratched.
You need a pick having a sharp point at the end but a round cross-section profile on the hook part. I like this set from Amazon and just bought it for myself. The package says the Nylon is 'reinforced', but whether it is filled with glass or fibers is hard to tell. This set feels very stiff and looks to be durable. You still have to be careful with the point as you reach in and hook out O-rings.
Good luck,
Feinwerk
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I found the tips on the Ares set too flexible to get under a tight o-ring, I have a set of brass picks coming today.
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its just trial and error iv broke a couple doing it also brass picks are great as Scotty mentioned or nice sharp dental picks golf tee will work also
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I lubed the o-ring and placed it on a disposable drink coaster...it's made of some kind of cardboard, but it has enough give to indent and hold the o-ring in position. Push the adjustment screw straight down on the o-ring and the small crown of the stem will help spread the o-ring open. Once it's spread, a little wiggling will get it to slide over the stem. after that, roll it into position. You can not let up on the downward pressure once you get the o-ring to start spreading.
A nylon pick is the best way to get to old one off. It's still almost as big of a PITA as getting the new one on.
The second time I did that job, I did it by pushing the stem into the o-ring on the tip of my finger. It took more than one try, both ways.
A nylon pick is the best way to get to old one off. It's still almost as big of a PITA as getting the new one on.
The second time I did that job, I did it by pushing the stem into the o-ring on the tip of my finger. It took more than one try, both ways.
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Well guys I got it!! Thank you everyone for the tips!!! Ultimately what worked was warming the oring in warm to hot water like chuckar60 said, then let my finger nails grow a bit (big help) then put the screw backwards in to the housing for a better grip! Thank you all!!
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Here's a little tool I made that has saved a lot of frustration. Thanks Augie for the sharing your idea.
jking
jking
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Congratulations @magicmatt, good work getting the skills and materials together for that job.
Now that I see @jking 's fixture, a golf tee comes to mind as a ready-made tool for small o-rings
Now that I see @jking 's fixture, a golf tee comes to mind as a ready-made tool for small o-rings
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Wow! I guess I’m a oring regulator guru now lol! I took out the 3 little orings in the huma reg gen 3 today, using a needle! Waiting on the rebuild kit to arrive! By the way the amp reg in my dreamline is working flawlessly the reason why I changed the orings was reg creep by 10 bar or so.
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It was very, very simple. I had heard how hard it was to get them on. Well that was a bunch of worry about nothing.
I had more trouble getting them off.
First thing I did was drill a hole in a piece of scrap lumber. I was a piece of 1/2 inch ply. I didn't drill through. Just enough to hold the set screw verticle. Then my wife, with her finger nails slopped the oring over. EASY PEASY!!!!
I had more trouble getting them off.
First thing I did was drill a hole in a piece of scrap lumber. I was a piece of 1/2 inch ply. I didn't drill through. Just enough to hold the set screw verticle. Then my wife, with her finger nails slopped the oring over. EASY PEASY!!!!
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