Scubatec Valves in the USA?

DanFountain · 11th June 2006, 03:22

I'm looking for a valve for a US-standard tank with 3/4 NPSM thread. What I'm looking for is a valve with an axial valve knob & a radial DIN outlet. I've seen a number of these on some British & European divers' kit, but it's not something I've found to be available in the US. What I have in mind is something like the Scubatec "Comptec Big" DIN valve made in Italy (see http://en.scubatec.it/monoattacco.htm ). So far I have recieved no response to my inquiries to Scubatec. Anybody know if somthing similar is available anywhere in 3/4 NPSM thread? Thanks.

-Dan

http://www.portup.com/~dfount/rbmain.htm

**Dave Sutton** · 8th July 2006, 14:15

Dan, that valve type is known as a "Pillar Valve". I have never seen one in 3/4 inch, but I do have a solution. I have a BIG box (24 at least) of Draeger DIN pillar valves with the Eurpoean "Kleinkonish" thread on them, which is a tapered thread similar to the old 1/2 NPT threads on ancient US cylinders. The thread is small enough that a brass adater can be machined with ease to put them into a 3/4 thread cylinder. All you would have to do would be to buy the correct tap for the thread. The valves are 200 BAR, which does not mean they will not work for 300 BAR service, just that you need to be careful to not install some geriatric DIN regulator on them that is somehow not suitable for 3000BAR service. I like them because I can use my old Poseidon 300 first stages on them, complete with their old 200BAR fitting. And yes... they work just fine at 300 BAR.

The valves I have were procured to be re-threaded for Mark-15 spheres (which worked out fine) and to re-valve the Russian cylinders for IDA-71 and similr (the Russians use this thread on their cylinders). The valves are used, and are removed from German fire-fighting apparatus. Let me know if interested.

Best,

Dave Sutton

DanFountain · 11th July 2006, 11:45

Dave,

That's pretty much where I'm headed right now - machine an adapter bushing to adapt a USD Survivair post valve with 3/4-16 straight thread to 3/4 NPS.

Dan

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

Dan, that valve type is known as a "Pillar Valve". I have never seen one in 3/4 inch, but I do have a solution. I have a BIG box (24 at least) of Draeger DIN pillar valves with the Eurpoean "Kleinkonish" thread on them, which is a tapered thread similar to the old 1/2 NPT threads on ancient US cylinders. The thread is small enough that a brass adater can be machined with ease to put them into a 3/4 thread cylinder. All you would have to do would be to buy the correct tap for the thread. The valves are 200 BAR, which does not mean they will not work for 300 BAR service, just that you need to be careful to not install some geriatric DIN regulator on them that is somehow not suitable for 3000BAR service. I like them because I can use my old Poseidon 300 first stages on them, complete with their old 200BAR fitting. And yes... they work just fine at 300 BAR.

The valves I have were procured to be re-threaded for Mark-15 spheres (which worked out fine) and to re-valve the Russian cylinders for IDA-71 and similr (the Russians use this thread on their cylinders). The valves are used, and are removed from German fire-fighting apparatus. Let me know if interested.

Best,

Dave Sutton

**Dave Sutton** · 11th July 2006, 13:33

Dan, I'd be carefull to make sure there is enough extra material--- turning one 3/4 thread to another 3/4 thread with a bushing is iffy. Let me send you a pair of these Draeger valves as a favor and see how they work.

Dave

DanFountain · 13th July 2006, 12:34

Dave,

Thanks! - I'll PM you my address.

3/4 to 3/4 bushing sounds a little strange, but 3/4-16 is a straight thread, actual maximum diameter is 3/4". 3/4 NPT is actually 1" at the root of the thread, so there's 1/8" of metal left at a minimum.

Dan

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

Dan, I'd be carefull to make sure there is enough extra material--- turning one 3/4 thread to another 3/4 thread with a bushing is iffy. Let me send you a pair of these Draeger valves as a favor and see how they work.

Dave

**Dave Sutton** · 13th July 2006, 14:43

Yup, I've dimensioned it before. 1/8 is about the minimum I'd be happy with holding 200BAR, especially since the bushing will likely be brass. The tapered threads on the valves I am sending you are smaller diameter. Another thought: If you don't want to deal with tapered metric threads I had previously chucked up a few of these valves in a lathe and had turned them to the smaller diameter needed for Mark-15 sphere valves and had threaded them with a straight O-Ring sealed thread... cannot remember the thread but I have the die in the shop so can look it up. Yo might end up making bushings with male/female straight SAE threads and then reduce the diameter and re-thread the valves so you're not working with pipe-tape and bolted to the floor chain-vise to add/remove the threaded valves.

Dave

hoppyinca · 15th July 2006, 21:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

...I had previously chucked up a few of these valves in a lathe and had turned them to the smaller diameter needed for Mark-15 sphere valves and had threaded them with a straight O-Ring sealed thread...

Dave,... first your website is great... got lots of info before I purchased my Rebreather...

Second, how easy is it to get parts for these Dreager valves, and can a yoke 1st stages be used with them?

little bit of a highjack here...
I have a Mk15 I and had a burst disc blow, thought it a great oppertunity to overhaul the valve until I realized the "graphite"? soft seats are no where to be found!

So basically I need a soft seat, recommendations on what to use for a soft seat, or recommendations on valve up grades,... but I like my super simple original yoke 1st stages...

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Hoppyinca

**Dave Sutton** · 19th July 2006, 00:30

Don't think an original Mark-15 sphere valve is anything other than a cheap Sherwood post K valve.... use any old seat in it. The Draeger valves are purely DIN... far better than yoke valves. In any case, all you need to do is to pick a valve you like and then have it machined to fit the spheres. Easy work for anyone with a lathe.

Dave

Crazyduck · 31st July 2006, 17:39

hoppyinca,
You might want to check with Steam Machines in Tennessee.
They were having a Legacy sale on older parts.
Regulators, Pillar valves, bypass valves and other odds and ends were listed.

Web: http://www.steammachines.com/04ProductsLegacySale2.asp

Good Luck, Andrew

DanFountain · 4th August 2006, 18:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by Crazyduck)

hoppyinca,
You might want to check with Steam Machines in Tennessee.
They were having a Legacy sale on older parts.
Regulators, Pillar valves, bypass valves and other odds and ends were listed.

Web: http://www.steammachines.com/04ProductsLegacySale2.asp

Good Luck, Andrew

They have used pillar valves from Mk 15 spheres for $15 - anybody know what the thread size is on these? Dave, could you take a look at the die in your shop?

Thanks,
Dan

11th June 2006, 03:22	#1 (permalink)
DanFountain This is my custom title! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Superior Posts: 113	Scubatec Valves in the USA? I'm looking for a valve for a US-standard tank with 3/4 NPSM thread. What I'm looking for is a valve with an axial valve knob & a radial DIN outlet. I've seen a number of these on some British & European divers' kit, but it's not something I've found to be available in the US. What I have in mind is something like the Scubatec "Comptec Big" DIN valve made in Italy (see http://en.scubatec.it/monoattacco.htm ). So far I have recieved no response to my inquiries to Scubatec. Anybody know if somthing similar is available anywhere in 3/4 NPSM thread? Thanks. -Dan http://www.portup.com/~dfount/rbmain.htm
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 14:15	#2 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Dan, that valve type is known as a "Pillar Valve". I have never seen one in 3/4 inch, but I do have a solution. I have a BIG box (24 at least) of Draeger DIN pillar valves with the Eurpoean "Kleinkonish" thread on them, which is a tapered thread similar to the old 1/2 NPT threads on ancient US cylinders. The thread is small enough that a brass adater can be machined with ease to put them into a 3/4 thread cylinder. All you would have to do would be to buy the correct tap for the thread. The valves are 200 BAR, which does not mean they will not work for 300 BAR service, just that you need to be careful to not install some geriatric DIN regulator on them that is somehow not suitable for 3000BAR service. I like them because I can use my old Poseidon 300 first stages on them, complete with their old 200BAR fitting. And yes... they work just fine at 300 BAR. The valves I have were procured to be re-threaded for Mark-15 spheres (which worked out fine) and to re-valve the Russian cylinders for IDA-71 and similr (the Russians use this thread on their cylinders). The valves are used, and are removed from German fire-fighting apparatus. Let me know if interested. Best, Dave Sutton __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
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11th July 2006, 11:45	#3 (permalink)
DanFountain This is my custom title! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Superior Posts: 113	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Dave, That's pretty much where I'm headed right now - machine an adapter bushing to adapt a USD Survivair post valve with 3/4-16 straight thread to 3/4 NPS. Dan Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) Dan, that valve type is known as a "Pillar Valve". I have never seen one in 3/4 inch, but I do have a solution. I have a BIG box (24 at least) of Draeger DIN pillar valves with the Eurpoean "Kleinkonish" thread on them, which is a tapered thread similar to the old 1/2 NPT threads on ancient US cylinders. The thread is small enough that a brass adater can be machined with ease to put them into a 3/4 thread cylinder. All you would have to do would be to buy the correct tap for the thread. The valves are 200 BAR, which does not mean they will not work for 300 BAR service, just that you need to be careful to not install some geriatric DIN regulator on them that is somehow not suitable for 3000BAR service. I like them because I can use my old Poseidon 300 first stages on them, complete with their old 200BAR fitting. And yes... they work just fine at 300 BAR. The valves I have were procured to be re-threaded for Mark-15 spheres (which worked out fine) and to re-valve the Russian cylinders for IDA-71 and similr (the Russians use this thread on their cylinders). The valves are used, and are removed from German fire-fighting apparatus. Let me know if interested. Best, Dave Sutton
(Offline)

11th July 2006, 13:33	#4 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Dan, I'd be carefull to make sure there is enough extra material--- turning one 3/4 thread to another 3/4 thread with a bushing is iffy. Let me send you a pair of these Draeger valves as a favor and see how they work. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

13th July 2006, 12:34	#5 (permalink)
DanFountain This is my custom title! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Superior Posts: 113	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Dave, Thanks! - I'll PM you my address. 3/4 to 3/4 bushing sounds a little strange, but 3/4-16 is a straight thread, actual maximum diameter is 3/4". 3/4 NPT is actually 1" at the root of the thread, so there's 1/8" of metal left at a minimum. Dan Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) Dan, I'd be carefull to make sure there is enough extra material--- turning one 3/4 thread to another 3/4 thread with a bushing is iffy. Let me send you a pair of these Draeger valves as a favor and see how they work. Dave
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13th July 2006, 14:43	#6 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Yup, I've dimensioned it before. 1/8 is about the minimum I'd be happy with holding 200BAR, especially since the bushing will likely be brass. The tapered threads on the valves I am sending you are smaller diameter. Another thought: If you don't want to deal with tapered metric threads I had previously chucked up a few of these valves in a lathe and had turned them to the smaller diameter needed for Mark-15 sphere valves and had threaded them with a straight O-Ring sealed thread... cannot remember the thread but I have the die in the shop so can look it up. Yo might end up making bushings with male/female straight SAE threads and then reduce the diameter and re-thread the valves so you're not working with pipe-tape and bolted to the floor chain-vise to add/remove the threaded valves. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

15th July 2006, 21:10	#7 (permalink)
hoppyinca New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA USA Posts: 253	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) ...I had previously chucked up a few of these valves in a lathe and had turned them to the smaller diameter needed for Mark-15 sphere valves and had threaded them with a straight O-Ring sealed thread... Dave,... first your website is great... got lots of info before I purchased my Rebreather... Second, how easy is it to get parts for these Dreager valves, and can a yoke 1st stages be used with them? little bit of a highjack here... I have a Mk15 I and had a burst disc blow, thought it a great oppertunity to overhaul the valve until I realized the "graphite"? soft seats are no where to be found! So basically I need a soft seat, recommendations on what to use for a soft seat, or recommendations on valve up grades,... but I like my super simple original yoke 1st stages... Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Hoppyinca
(Offline)

19th July 2006, 00:30	#8 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Don't think an original Mark-15 sphere valve is anything other than a cheap Sherwood post K valve.... use any old seat in it. The Draeger valves are purely DIN... far better than yoke valves. In any case, all you need to do is to pick a valve you like and then have it machined to fit the spheres. Easy work for anyone with a lathe. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

31st July 2006, 17:39	#9 (permalink)
Crazyduck Underwater Mechanic Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS, Dallas/ Ft.Worth Posts: 720	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? hoppyinca, You might want to check with Steam Machines in Tennessee. They were having a Legacy sale on older parts. Regulators, Pillar valves, bypass valves and other odds and ends were listed. Web: http://www.steammachines.com/04ProductsLegacySale2.asp Good Luck, Andrew __________________ Howdy Senor- What’s Happening! Rob Davie April 2005- Presently in a state of transition from Open Circuit to Closed Circuit. "You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by it." - Buddha.
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4th August 2006, 18:39	#10 (permalink)
DanFountain This is my custom title! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Superior Posts: 113	Re: Scubatec Valves in the USA? Sphere valves? Quote: (Originally Posted by Crazyduck) hoppyinca, You might want to check with Steam Machines in Tennessee. They were having a Legacy sale on older parts. Regulators, Pillar valves, bypass valves and other odds and ends were listed. Web: http://www.steammachines.com/04ProductsLegacySale2.asp Good Luck, Andrew They have used pillar valves from Mk 15 spheres for $15 - anybody know what the thread size is on these? Dave, could you take a look at the die in your shop? Thanks, Dan
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