O ring multi kit

I have found my multi size general use kit to be mostly a waste,,, learn what sizes you need and order to fit , buy some of those cheap plastic compartment see through boxes,
I am guessing that is what I'm probably going to have to do. Every time I have looked for any type of o-ring for my PCP or equipment it has been such an off dimension ring that I had a very hard time finding it!!!
 
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An Oring is an O ring is an Oring! NOT!
The O-ring assortments typically sold are generally worthless, esp. for the world of PCP.
Everything about an O-ring is a variable.
Material
Durometer
Inside diameter
Cross Section
Generic O-rings are generally too soft for high pressure applications. Metric sizes mostly. Only way to accurately measure an oring is with an optical comparator. Measuring them with calipers is a fool's errand.
 
 
https://www.captainoring.com -- https://www.oringsandmore.com -- https://www.theoringstore.com

Above are three of my most used Internet shops for sourcing O-rings when I know the sizes needed and have time to wait; usually a week -> 10 days. Other wise I will order from Amazon or Ebay if I know the exact size needed and must have them soonest. As stated by jarmstrong above, purchasing an O-ring kit usually results in unneeded sizes and below standard quality. Just my opinion.
 
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Generic O-ring kits from the hardware store are generally a waste. Yes I do understand that the manufacturer's of the guns do not make O rings. They do however have engineers that specify the O-rings. High pressure applications require "harder" O-rings, higher durometer to resist extruding. While kits may be available from other than the gun manufacturer, did they get ALL the properties right? I don't want to learn that the hard way. Prior to retirement I worked a lot with O-rings in lower pressure applications. I likely still have the Parker book around the homestead, it's all online now anyway. Every little thing about an o-ring is a variable. O-rings themselves are wonderfully cheap. The guys you need to figure out exactly the right ones are not.
 
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I guess I am in the minority but I have two boxes of O-rings I think I got from Amazon and I use some of them often. I also have O-rings I've ordered (my current favorite supplier is McMaster Carr) to fit my guns. Some of the generic assortments fit something on one of my guns, many do not. But for what they cost, I still think they were a worthwhile purchase. The O-rings in my guns are 70 hardness and Buna N so I bought assortments of this material and hardness. Sometimes if I am having a problem with a leak it has been handy to have a size smaller or larger than recommended to try.

I agree it is wrong to just buy a generic assortment and then think you have your requirements addressed. But if you add a cheap assortment or two to the ones you are pretty sure you need, I think that is a more robust solution than just buying the ones you are pretty confident you need.

I also have no problem using digital calipers to measure O-rings. You have to use some judgement since it isn't hard to change the size of the O-ring with the calipers but if I have no other way to determine the size I just measure the old one. At times I've checked it against a parts diagram for the gun and what I measured matched the diagram exactly. If there was a big difference I would go with my measurements. I am not confident I couldn't be off a little but I wouldn't be off by more than 1 mm.
 
https://www.captainoring.com -- https://www.oringsandmore.com -- https://www.theoringstore.com

Above are three of my most used Internet shops for sourcing O-rings when I know the sizes needed and have time to wait; usually a week -> 10 days. Other wise I will order from Amazon or Ebay if I know the exact size needed and must have them soonest. As stated by jarmstrong above, purchasing an O-ring kit usually results in unneeded sizes and below standard quality. Just my opinion.
Mannnnnnnn.... So once again I dive deeper into the airgunning black hole of endless searching for exactly what I am looking for!!!🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
 
WIth regard to measuring O-rings with calipers? 1 mm "precision" is guessing. Better luck with the harder O-rings using calipers, digital is strictly convenience with calipers, they are no more accurate. In fact for by guess and by golly analog calipers are superior. O-rings are specified by inside diameter, thus the harder ones are easier because they will stretch less when measuring. A comparator is the right way to measure unknown O-rings. I would also bet that today a comparator can be had pretty cheap.
 
Olypsys
The O-ring store has a grid you can download and print to use with the Olypsis app, or you can order a better grid from them for $10. I used the downloadable one to double check my measurements, and I also ordered theirs. The one they sell looks better than the print version and is on cardstock. I just wish it was either plastic or laminated but I think the precision of the grid prevents that.

I use vernier calipers to measure mine, but the ID is always a guess for me because caliper technique can quickly oval the o-ring.
 
Good idea! It is the ID that is the primary specification. That is where the precision is and is the called out dimension. Optical tools do not stretch or distort the O-ring. ID plus cross section X 2 equals OD. All well and good until you encounter an O-ring with a non standard cross section. Special O-rings do exist, the manufacturer's will make anything you are willing to pay for. I was in the dental biz for many years, lots of tiny valves with even smaller o rings, dental manufacturer's tend to be pricey for parts, thus finding the right O rings from other than the manufacturer happens a lot. High pressure O-rings are typically a greater durometer vs. "generic" O-rings. Is the compound of the generic correct? black does not necessarily mean Neoprene. Just mostly. 30 bar is a whole nother world for seals, caution first! I know a few engineers still who might spend a few hours of their day to source exactly the correct O-ring seal to resell for service parts. They will be more than a few pennies each.
 
Good idea! It is the ID that is the primary specification. That is where the precision is and is the called out dimension. Optical tools do not stretch or distort the O-ring. ID plus cross section X 2 equals OD. All well and good until you encounter an O-ring with a non standard cross section. Special O-rings do exist, the manufacturer's will make anything you are willing to pay for. I was in the dental biz for many years, lots of tiny valves with even smaller o rings, dental manufacturer's tend to be pricey for parts, thus finding the right O rings from other than the manufacturer happens a lot. High pressure O-rings are typically a greater durometer vs. "generic" O-rings. Is the compound of the generic correct? black does not necessarily mean Neoprene. Just mostly. 30 bar is a whole nother world for seals, caution first! I know a few engineers still who might spend a few hours of their day to source exactly the correct O-ring seal to resell for service parts. They will be more than a few pennies each.
Mannnnn, that's a mouth full!!!! I think I am just going to order a couple O-ring kits from the manufacturer for each gun!!!
 
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When I was in grade school late 60's they started up the girls take shop classes and the guys take home economics or typing. All of us taking the class were like what is this good for? Our teacher told us that typing skills would be very useful in the future. Bear in mind I'm talking 1968 or so. Turns out he was right, typing at 80 WPM is very useful! My kid is unbelievable on a keyboard, he's a software engineer.
O-rings only seem like a very simple thing, there is a lot to it and O-rings are cheap anyway. You are wise to get them from the people who made the gun.
 
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Great that they list the dims, do they spec. the durometer too? Smart and cheap enough to get exactly what you need from the folks that made the gun. The harder O-rings are harder to work with, not near as "stretchy" I might have an O-ring tool big enough, need to have a look. WIth multiple hard O-rings on a valve stem you may end with less hair if changing them without a tool.
 
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Generic O-ring kits from the hardware store are generally a waste. Yes I do understand that the manufacturer's of the guns do not make O rings. They do however have engineers that specify the O-rings. High pressure applications require "harder" O-rings, higher durometer to resist extruding. While kits may be available from other than the gun manufacturer, did they get ALL the properties right? I don't want to learn that the hard way. Prior to retirement I worked a lot with O-rings in lower pressure applications. I likely still have the Parker book around the homestead, it's all online now anyway. Every little thing about an o-ring is a variable. O-rings themselves are wonderfully cheap. The guys you need to figure out exactly the right ones are not.
The Parker Book!

Often, we hear a person say ... " Dont ever buy a ___ ___ brand airgun, because they are junk. This is the 3rd time I have rebuilt it, in 3 months"....

Then, with a little research. its discovered that they are using Harbor Freight, or Amazon O-rings !
If only they had read, and understood, all the variables that go into a O-ring!
Great book!
 
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