Rebuilding a Royal Master

[sitkadiver]

Once again, VDH proved to be a very valuable asset while researching the finer details of the Royal Master vs. a Royal Aqua Master. When I bought this reg, it had no hoses and the only signs of a duckbill was a ring of rotten rubber on the exhaust horn. I was hoping it was all original inside, and it turned out that it was.





There are a few good threads on VDH that detail the difference in a Royal Master first stage and Royal Aqua Master first stage. I won't be redundant here, but I was excited to find I had the original Royal Master first stage with the "uncaptured" O-ring and 3rd spring.






Upon disassembly I also found a few odd things. The crown block above had some scratches near where the o-ring sits. They are not very deep, but I cannot imagine why they're there. The O-ring came out without much effort at all.

Also, the IP adjustment nut was set in place with a drilled hole so the threads were very tight. I don't recall reading about this method in the Aqua Lung manual, but maybe this is how it was done back in the day. I just don't know.




Also, when I got it, it wouldn't flow any air at all. I had to pry the low pressure seat off the a small screw driver. I also found the 2nd stage seat holder was bent.



Reassemlby was pretty straight forward. The reg received a DBE and a new silicone diaphragm, along with new hoses, new original style mouthpiece and improved wagon wheels. Of course, the high a low pressure seats were also changed. I did not have a new O-ring for it. So, Instead of replacing it with a softer 60 durameter O-ring, I left the original in place and hoped for the best. So far it's paid off and there are no leaks.

[sitkadiver]

Last weekend I was able to get the Royal Master in the water and test dive it. We had originally planned to dive out the road near the first Russian Settlement in Southeast Alaska, however, my buddy Dave didn't think he could walk the beach with his leg, so we went in the harbor instead and visited the wreck of the F/V Rush.



I used my Klauda I-bolt harness and two Dacor 72's with a cheater bar. The set-up is sweet for running an SPG from the tank valve, while still being able to use the hooka adaptor for my drysuit inflator.

It's also a great set-up for swapping tanks, but that did not apply here since we only did a single night dive.



While diving this wreck we swam around to the stern and tried to figure out to get the prop off. We'll probably end up using the Broco torch to cut it off, but that'll be another thread.

I did get excited while digging through the remains of the wheel house, which is now scattered on the bottom. I thought we had found a binnacle, but it turned out to be the auto-pilot with a cheap cardboard insert.



The reg performed flawlessly and it was a great breather. after I rinsed everything, I pulled the cans apart and found there was no water inside, so I think this reg is good to go.

[Drado]

Good job on that one! No creep in the IP noted post rebuild?

[sitkadiver]

Good job on that one! No creep in the IP noted post rebuild?

No Sir,

IP is steady as a rock.

[gj1963]

Beautiful regulator - very nice work. Out of curiosity - is the yoke screw flat - or the round tire style?

[Herman]

Beautiful regulator - very nice work. Out of curiosity - is the yoke screw flat - or the round tire style?

It should be the flat one if it's the orignal. The RM was sold in 1964 & 65, the tire come out in 66.

[sitkadiver]

Beautiful regulator - very nice work. Out of curiosity - is the yoke screw flat - or the round tire style?

It should be the flat one if it's the orignal. The RM was sold in 1964 & 65, the tire come out in 66.

Correct sir, flat type yoke screw with a short yoke. Everything appeared original inside, although someone had drilled that hole into the IP adjustment nut and the lp stem was bent. I always wish these regs could talk, since I can't help but wonder if the owner attempted a rebuild , and then left it to sit when things went sideways

[gj1963]

.

[gj1963]

Thank you gentlemen. I have a RM within 100 units of that one. I got it with a tire style screw and short yoke. I wasn't sure it if was running change or what. Surely then mine was swapped out at some point.

[Creed]

Very nice! My next rebuild will be to finish the job on my RM. I have serial #2216. It sets up and flows air fine right now, but I've never had the 1st stage apart.