New or second hand

[MARK315]

What are the pros and cons with buying new or second hand regulators..Do they degrade with age ,I have seen second hand regs go for the same price as new ones on ebay...

 

[rtbcomp]

Yes they do degrade, the rubber diaphrams perish and I've seen one that had been unused for a while absolutely choked with gunge. I think they may have an expiry date stamped on them, but I'm not certain.

 

[s410man]

think its 5 years and if it blows up after that the insurance wont cover it

thanks

 

[Arc-Rite Welding]

Yes they certainly do degrade.
Usually it's 5 years and stamped on the regulator.
We do gas checks for massive companies up here and find regulators ruined after barely a year depending on use (welding all day every day, literally 24 hours)
For the price of a regulator nowadays, i'd buy new every time