A warning about o-ring kits - ScubaBoard

Earlier this year, I bought what looked like a good idea at the time. It was a 90+ piece Viton o-ring set at what seemed like a reasonable price. But it turned out to be kind of like sushi samplers . . . a whole bunch of things you don't want or need, and very little that you're happy you got. So far, I've found it doesn't have the o-rings for spindles, the o-rings for drysuit inflator valves or exhaust valves, and has only a few DIN regulator or yoke valve o-rings. Lots of tank neck o-rings, though -- which I suppose would be useful if I did my own VIPs.

After making a comment about this on Facebook, I've learned other people have bought similar sets and found the same thing. So I'd advise against purchasing a set like this.

(Please excuse me if you have seen this elsewhere -- I'm irritated enough that I'm going to crosspost this on some other boards as well.) Hi TSandM:

Sorry you got what sounds like a bum deal. O-rings it seems is a favorite topic of DIY'ers and those who just want to be prepared. Having a ton of o-rings that no one uses and none that you do need puts you in an odd situation and it seems as there isn't one kit that fits all (but it seems as if 300bar is pretty happy).

Here is a thread about o-rings and then a thread about DIN o-rings. I carry o-rings for my equipment and then sized ones for what are common for others. I am no technician but I would offer to help the lost or unprepared at the neighborly level.

Also, these two listed threads have common sizes listed for equipment. I have additional sizes for things such as the Scout light o-ring, the Suunto Vyper battery hatch, and a few o-rings for various styles of test tube lights (for those who have one and eventually when I get one). I have a couple of other sizes but admittedly I can't remember what they are for as I don't have them in front of me. The Airspeed Press books have a lot of sizes listed as well.

My recommendation would be to pick up a few o-rings from an online distributor like McMaster Carr, Parker, or my favorite AOPTec. With AOPTec, there is a minimum of 5 USD purchase, but that could be 5 different sizes and up to 50 o-rings. Surely you could assemble a kick butt o-ring kit and have spares to dole out as needed for about 20 USD. I keep mine in labeled baggies but you could easily go to someplace like Harbor Freight for a small divided box or a sporting goods store for a fly tackle box. Heck, you could even use your existing box that you have and just fill in the compartments with your newly purchased o-rings.

And finally, maybe pepper your kit with a mix of Viton and Nitrile. Viton for HP oxygen applications or where extrusion might be a concern, and Nitrile for economy and everything else.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

With kindest regards,
Thpmas

Earlier this year, I bought what looked like a good idea at the time. It was a 90+ piece Viton o-ring set at what seemed like a reasonable price. But it turned out to be kind of like sushi samplers . . . a whole bunch of things you don't want or need, and very little that you're happy you got. So far, I've found it doesn't have the o-rings for spindles, the o-rings for drysuit inflator valves or exhaust valves, and has only a few DIN regulator or yoke valve o-rings. Lots of tank neck o-rings, though -- which I suppose would be useful if I did my own VIPs.

Even though it's more expensive than it should be, Trident has a nice assortment in a small kit that actually seems to fit stuff I own, including hoses, various tank valve faces and SPG spools.

Terry

dkmc

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So I've figured out like many others that the Harbor Freight O ring assortments absolutely suck. The cross sections are thinner than standard and the rubber
is some sort of material that nearly dissolves in oil. So the question is, where does one find quality O ring assortments that are the correct sizes and made
of real Viaton or Bunna-N material that lasts? I see plenty of kits on EBAY but they all look similar to the HF ones. To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

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kelpaso1

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So I've figured out like many others that the Harbor Freight O ring assortments absolutely suck. The cross sections are thinner than standard and the rubber
is some sort of material that nearly dissolves in oil. So the question is, where does one find quality O ring assortments that are the correct sizes and made
of real Viaton or Bunna-N material that lasts? I see plenty of kits on EBAY but they all look similar to the HF ones.

That's what you get when you buy from HF. Junk made in China. Stuff like that I would get from NAPA and made in USA.

dkmc

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That's what you get when you buy from HF. Junk made in China. Stuff like that I would get from NAPA and made in USA.

Just got back from the local bearing supplier. They have assortments, same problem. Then I went to the NAPA store. SAME PROBLEM. Their set is in a NAPA box but the O rings look like the same China stuff from HF. So your idea that NAPA has made in USA stuff is a joke.

dkmc

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Thanks for the links. I was on MC checking out the assortments but I am leery they will have the same problems stated above. For starters I guess I'd have to verify they are made in USA to correct specifications.

DerekV

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Thanks for the links. I was on MC checking out the assortments but I am leery they will have the same problems stated above. For starters I guess I'd have to verify they are made in USA to correct specifications.

No problem. Looks like a lot of the sets are made in PRC, but generally speaking McMaster doesn’t sell junk. If it has a spec, you can guarantee it’s made to that spec. Lots if their customers have stringent quality requirements, something to keep in mind.

kelpaso1

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Just got back from the local bearing supplier. They have assortments, same problem. Then I went to the NAPA store. SAME PROBLEM. Their set is in a NAPA box but the O rings look like the same China stuff from HF. So your idea that NAPA has made in USA stuff is a joke.

Just because they LOOK the same doesn't mean they are.

dkmc

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Just because they LOOK the same doesn't mean they are.

When I say they are undersize in cross section that is exactly what I meant.
You don't know who you're talking to. I'm a self employed engineer/designer/machinist/welder fabricator.....44 years. I took dial calipers with me and MEASURED the O rings. They are .005 to .007 (that's Thousandths of an inch) undersize.

dkmc

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Lots if their customers have stringent quality requirements, something to keep in mind.

The one assortment shown on their (MC) website looks like the exact same plastic box as the HF set. And also the exact same box as the one at the bearing supply house I visited. The HF box is red. The one at the bearing supplier was blue. NAPA's box was white with the NAPA logo. All the same O rings. The critical outcome of this is, these O rings would be completely useless and won't seal. There are complaints of them being too small to seal on the HF website. Useless.

Here is the set, looks identical to the HF set. HF price is $8-ish. MC price....$45!

Last edited: Mar 25,

tdkkart

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The one assortment shown on their (MC) website looks like the exact same plastic box as the HF set. And also the exact same box as the one at the bearing supply house I visited. The HF box is red. The one at the bearing supplier was blue. NAPA's box was white with the NAPA logo. All the same O rings. The critical outcome of this is, these O rings would be completely useless and won't seal. There are complaints of them being too small to seal on the HF website. Useless.

China is very good at making things, even plastic boxes, look just like stuff made in the US and other places. That's where they start.

Bubba Fett

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This one is USA-made.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

DerekV

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The one assortment shown on their (MC) website looks like the exact same plastic box as the HF set. And also the exact same box as the one at the bearing supply house I visited. The HF box is red. The one at the bearing supplier was blue. NAPA's box was white with the NAPA logo. All the same O rings. The critical outcome of this is, these O rings would be completely useless and won't seal. There are complaints of them being too small to seal on the HF website. Useless.

Eh, you can’t always assume the quasi-illustrated photo you see for their products is exactly what you’re going to get.

They ship fast and have top tier CS. Not a whole ton of risk ordering a set and sending it back if the sizing isn’t up to snuff. I’d probably give them a quick call first to see if that’d be ok, assuming they come shrink wrapped, etc.

dkmc

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This one is USA-made.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

Thanks for that link. It's a tough choice, I need quantity 2 -006 O rings. Buying a $150 set to get them of the correct size is an interesting choice.

Half-fast eddie

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engineer/designer/machinist/welder fabricator.....44 years.

Almost finished your apprenticeship?

jh87

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We use many o-rings of various sizes and materials at my work. We buy them from theoringstore.com. They sell assortments, but I can’t speak to the quality of the assortments as we buy in bulk in the sizes and materials we use. The o-rings we get are good quality and correctly sized though. https://www.theoringstore.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=175

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There’s a huge difference between HF and McMaster-Carr. One has a reputation built on quality and standards, and the other…haha…does not.

Two questions to ask yourself:
1) How are those $8 sets working out for you?
2) What is your time worth?

Saving money is a good thing until its pursuit starts costing you. Something to think about. Good luck with your search - let us know what you end up with Last edited: Mar 25,

WWheeler

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I live in rural small town USA and have several local choices of hydraulic suppliers to choose from who have every size and type (viton,nitrile,epdm,neoprene,silicone,etc) of O-Ring I've ever needed in however large or small a quantity I want. I drop in and spend a dollar or two and walk out with a small bag full of just what I need. Most of the time I don't know what type / size I need. I take them what's left of the one that failed me and they fix me up.

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Search for "Parker Store" location near you. You can buy singles of the size(s) you need, or a Parker assortment.

redwrench60

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When I say they are undersize in cross section that is exactly what I meant.
You don't know who you're talking to. I'm a self employed engineer/designer/machinist/welder fabricator.....44 years. I took dial calipers with me and MEASURED the O rings. They are .005 to .007 (that's Thousandths of an inch) undersize.

You might want to re-read your post. It comes off pretty condescending when people are just trying to help.

That said, any good sized hydraulic supply store will have the O-rings you need. I’ve even had good luck at Ace hardware. To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

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Just because they LOOK the same doesn't mean they are.

Yeah, basically all o-rings, by definition, look the same.

dkmc

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You might want to re-read your post. It comes off pretty condescending when people are just trying to help.

You might want to re-read the condescending post I was replying to. Not directed toward those actually offering useful suggestions.

There’s a huge difference between HF and McMaster-Carr. One has a reputation built on quality and standards, and the other…haha…does not.

Two questions to ask yourself:
1) How are those $8 sets working out for you?
2) What is your time worth?

Saving money is a good thing until its pursuit starts costing you. Something to think about. Good luck with your search - let us know what you end up with

It's a whole $8 that I spent. It's not like it's an $ welder. Live and learn. You've never bought anything to save some money and it didn't work out? I don't have any problem chucking the HF assortment in the trash and moving on with another better quality set. I was looking for something local to fix a problem quickly. I've been a Mcmaster customer since the mid 's. They even send me the big yellow catalogs. Now that I've mentioned HF welders, maybe that'll start a whole different flame war. Thanks for the quality/time/efficiency lecture.

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Find a local hydraulic seal supplier. We get out assortments from ours, along with any other oring we need. Hose places usually have assortments too.

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I was going to suggest HF but I see I’m in the minority of having good luck with them. I have never had one fail. When we need o-rings at work they are our go to cheap and easy to have at the shop. So I’ll second McMaster-Carr as a supplier. They have really good products their o-rings are too I used them too before I started buying the big packs. Also had good luck with ones from Ace Hardware.

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Parker or Caterpillar usually have good ones. I don't bother with the generic kits as they're usually wrong.

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Thanks for the quality/time/efficiency lecture.

You are very welcome, sir

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I want generic kits to work very badly, I have purchased many and use many o rings. Despite this I don't think I've used the ones in the kits more than two or three times. It appears to be their purpose to include only the most useless sizes in them. Sad, and costs me time waiting for simple parts, but it's just the way it is.

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I want generic kits to work very badly, I have purchased many and use many o rings. Despite this I don't think I've used the ones in the kits more than two or three times. It appears to be their purpose to include only the most useless sizes in them. Sad, and costs me time waiting for simple parts, but it's just the way it is.

I have several generic assortments and it seems like they never work. I keep a bucket of used rubber grommets and orings, I have better luck pulling something from that.

I know this is an old thread, but I just really identified with that post from B_bimmer. I found the thread when googling where to find quality oring assortments. (Goes to show how important it is to follow up to forum posts for the next guy)

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I buy my o-rings from Hercules Sealing Products. Usually I have to buy them in bulk but they're high quality and have any kind I'll ever need.

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My uses are almost exclusively automotive.
The HF sets contain very few useful sizes for my work. I bought both metric and imperial sets years ago and both boxes remain nearly full.
The few I have used worked fine.
A good assortment for automotive would be welcome so I'm staying tuned here.

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I have a faucet that has a leaking o-ring connection between the pull out hose and the faucet handle. I tried both imperial and metric o-rings from the kits that were close in size, but the leak remained. Diameters looked like they should have worked, but they were too thin, similar issue as the OP.

Time to call the manufacturer for the lifetime warranty.

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Thanks for that link. It's a tough choice, I need quantity 2 -006 O rings. Buying a $150 set to get them of the correct size is an interesting choice.

I've bought thousands of O-Rings from McMaster-Carr. A few years ago I bought this set: piece O-Ring Assortment but prior to that I just bought a pack of whatever size I needed. 100 -006 Buna-N O-Rings are $4.25.

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I guarantee you if you buy an O-ring kit, you'll need an O-ring that's not in the kit.

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O ring -- if it's on an oil pickup tube holding against suction for such as an engine oil pump or automatic transmission fluid filter pickup I think you want the best
do aircraft hydraulic systems have O ring seals ?

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I've bought individual packs of o-rings from McMaster-Carr many time. IIRC they were all USA and even had an expiration date on the package. And they were dimensionality correct, unlike my HF assortment.