Mistral o-ring R&R

[duckbill]

The only thing I have never felt comfortable with when rebuilding my US Divers Mistral is removing and replacing the o-ring (the only one- #0506-05), especially removing.
I'd really appreciate any and all tips.

[Bryan]

Didn't you write a really long post about rebuilding and repairing Mistral regulators ? How could you not replace the O-ring when doing a rebuild ?? I apologize if I have confused you with someone else...

[duckbill]

I remember giving suggestions for lever adjustment, but I don't think I posted anything for a rebuild. I have replaced the o-rings before, but I always worry about scratching the body with a dental pick at removal, and I've never found an easy way to consistently install the new one without wondering if I may have damaged it in the process. It is so small and sits back where it is barely accessible.

[dhaas]

Don't know if I showed anyone at SDIII how I remove many o-rings on my UW camera systems, where scratching a seat area and such is as worrisome as on our vintage regulators.

I use a plastic guitar pick. Usually cos t a whopping 25 cents for 3 at your local music shop.

Get bright colored ones so you can find them in your tool kit, too. Works great for getting under stubborn lips and grooves and won't damage the o-ring.

Rock on

Dave Haas

[1stab]

A guitar pick works great for O-ring removal. But I don't think you're going to get one in where you have to remove that O-ring in the Mistral.

A plastic dental pick does it nicely. I think I got mine in a Gunsmithing catalog. It might have been Brownell's or Midway.

Jerry

[duckbill]

Thanks for the tips.
I didn't even know there was such an animal as a plastic dental pick. I guess it's time to order a new Brownell's catalog.
Thankyou.

[Nemrod]

You can use brazing rod to construct a variety of O ring removsl tools.It is soft so it generally would not damage the surface. I managed to pop mine out last time with a plastic toothpic out of my Swiss Army knife--no---not the cork screw.
James

[duckbill]

You can use brazing rod to construct a variety of O ring removsl tools.It is soft so it generally would not damage the surface. I managed to pop mine out last time with a plastic toothpic out of my Swiss Army knife--no---not the cork screw.
James

Thanks James. I have one of those toothpicks in my pocket nearly every waking hour and didn't even consider using it for this. I'll give it a try. I have a Mistral with an old, stiff o-ring. I may have to resort to brazing rod for that one.