Victor Acetylene Regulator - rebuild or replace

[whateg0]

I don't see this discussed, and even if it was 20 years ago, it seems like a refresh might be good. My 19 year old Victor Fire Power 250-15-510 acetylene regulator is creeping now. New Smith/Harris/Victor of similar medium duty, single-stage are all about the same price range of a bit over $100 and up. If I can manage to find the right kit for this regulator, it looks like it will be around $25, but so far I've not found with any confidence the right kit. I generally am a fix before replace guy, but if I were to buy a replacement, are regulators one of those things that have gone downhill in quality? Not that mine is really from "back in the day", but looking at some, especially Victor, there seems to be a lot of plastic, and I know more stuff is made offshore today than back then. Is there a clear-cut better choice?

[Dale M.]

I used these people to purchase kits to rebuild my regulators... If DIYing spooks you, you can always send it in for professional repairs...

https://regulatortorchrepair.com/product/250-15-510-repair-kit/

[whateg0]

Looks like that kit won't work as mine has a label with the model number. It isn't stamped.

[metalmagpie]

I don't see this discussed, and even if it was 20 years ago, it seems like a refresh might be good. My 19 year old Victor Fire Power 250-15-510 acetylene regulator is creeping now. New Smith/Harris/Victor of similar medium duty, single-stage are all about the same price range of a bit over $100 and up. If I can manage to find the right kit for this regulator, it looks like it will be around $25, but so far I've not found with any confidence the right kit. I generally am a fix before replace guy, but if I were to buy a replacement, are regulators one of those things that have gone downhill in quality? Not that mine is really from "back in the day", but looking at some, especially Victor, there seems to be a lot of plastic, and I know more stuff is made offshore today than back then. Is there a clear-cut better choice?

Victor Firepower has always been a cheap import brand. I think they are made in Brazil. That said, you have little to lose by replacing the diaphragm yourself.