Looking for a quality air compressor pressure gauge

[gatorgrabber]

I'm in search of a decent 200psi pressure gauge for my compressor. There's lots of junk out there, has anyone found a nice one? I'd prefer liquid filled, lower mount. Thanks!

 

[fsae0607]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#atmospheric-pressure-gauges/=uqnwkn

Scroll down to the liquid filled gauges.

 

[gatorgrabber]

Oooh, lots of choices! Thanks for the link.

 

[Cyberbear]

You might want to see ebay, I bought several from different gauge supplier companies that sell there. I bought a nice 3" stainless, glycerin filled bottom feed for about $18.00 that I put on my portable a/c.

 

[Miss_Sissy]

This is the gauge I use on my regulator and I'll be putting an identical one on the tank:

It's an OMEGA Engineering General Services Gauge, 3.5" with 160 PSI scale and 1% full scale accuracy.

A 3.5", 200 psi gauge is $95 for a lower fitting and $110 for a back fitting. Getting it factory-filled with silicone oil increases the cost by $35.

Or they are free if you get them 8-10 at a time from a dumpster, which I did prior to retiring in April from a company that built satellites and rockets.

But, seriously, I've done some checking on ebay and there are a lot of really nice choices for large face gauges that sell for less than $50 delivered.

 

[gatorgrabber]

So, Fred M, what's the address of that dumpster again?? Nice setup, BTW.

 

[Miss_Sissy]

So, Fred M, what's the address of that dumpster again??

It was a job perk. Now that I'm not working there, I'd likely be arrested if found dumpster-diving at night.

The gauges were about the least valuable item I pulled from the dumpster. But it's nice having a huge HEPA air filter for my wood shop and an $1100 multimeter for my workbench (and a spare, too). I got oscilloscopes, industrial metal rolling carts, industrial step stools with big platform tops, power supplies, etc. I used to get Pelican cases because the aerospace industry uses them as disposable shipping containers (for small things that cost more than our houses).

Nice setup, BTW.

Thank you. I just finished it. Here's a bigger view showing the new breaker load panel, 30A outlet, and the rest of the plumbing.

This turned out to be a great way to secure the plumbing, filter, and regulator, so I thought I'd share in case it might help someone else:

I think that plumbers typically use that style of hanger for pipes suspended from a ceiling. I added the jam nuts to the 3/8" threaded rod to take the play out of the threads, making it rock-solid. The screws are of a type designed to self-tap into pilot holes in masonry.

 

[fnieto]

I found this NOS JP Marsh 9" gauge on ebay for 19.99 free shipping. Arrived 4 days later.
My old eyes can check air status at a glance.

 

[Miss_Sissy]

I found this NOS JP Marsh 9" gauge on ebay for 19.99 free shipping. Arrived 4 days later.
My old eyes can check air status at a glance.

Very, very cool! And mounting it with a flexible connection assures that vibration won't reach it.

 

[fnieto]

Very, very cool! And mounting it with a flexible connection assures that vibration won't reach it.

Thanks Fred,
I like your commitment to copper, those saddle mounts are clean and bomb proof.

The large guage is located next to a CNC plasma table that requires reliable clean and dry air source. Its located farthest from compressor (over 150') and is a loop air system.
The red needle is set for 175 PSIG (compressor shut off ) and the white needle is working pressure (130 PSIG). The glass comes off gauge to access the "lock" screw and the "calibration" screw.

 

[Ainsley]

We use winters gauges where I work. Decent gauges for the money. We've had a few Wika gauges which are VERY nice, but 2-3x the price.

 

[Lassen Forge]

This turned out to be a great way to secure the plumbing, filter, and regulator, so I thought I'd share in case it might help someone else:

I think that plumbers typically use that style of hanger for pipes suspended from a ceiling. I added the jam nuts to the 3/8" threaded rod to take the play out of the threads, making it rock-solid. The screws are of a type designed to self-tap into pilot holes in masonry.

You, sir, rock.

You answered a problem I just started trying to suss out (and looks darned good...); no wonder I like it here. Where did you find the hangers?

Now if you'll pardon me I have to go make notes.

..

 

[Miss_Sissy]

You, sir, rock.

You answered a problem I just started trying to suss out (and looks darned good...); no wonder I like it here. Where did you find the hangers?
..

Thanks!

I got the plates, hinged 3/4" split ring hangers, and 3/8" threaded rod at a professional plumbing supply house near me called "Ferguson's."

I bought a bag of 25 3/8" x 16 TPI nuts at Lowes to serve as the jam nuts. Since they take up almost the entire length between the copper pieces, they effectively define the stiffness of the support.

Screws were SPAX® Multi-Material Construction Screws and I have to give a shout-out to them. They were the first self-tapping screws that ever worked well for me in cinderblock. Much better than Tapcon.

Good luck.

 

[gatorgrabber]

I was half expecting you to say they came from the before mentioned dumpster! That's a very nice setup.

 

[Miss_Sissy]

That's a very nice setup.

Thanks. I'd never make any money as a plumber -- I spend too much time polishing my pipes.

No, that's not a euphemism for something else.

 

[markyfly]

Swing by your local CAT dealers parts dept. the they have every gauge you can imagine, or will get it next day

 

[markyfly]

https://parts.cat.com/wcs-static/pdfs/13-Pneumatics.pdf

They've got all the pneumatic accessories you can dream of

 

[Miss_Sissy]

Most amazing selection I've seen is on Amazon.com. They have some 1% accuracy (claimed) 4.5" gauges for under $20.

See this for a start:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_keywords_2?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A16310091%2Cn%3A256409011%2Cn%3A5006545011%2Cn%3A9931441011%2Cn%3A2611568011%2Ck%3Aair+pressure+gauge%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A6029985011%2Cp_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4078122011&sort=price-asc-rank&keywords=air+pressure+gauge&ie=UTF8&qid=1417135476&rnid=4078117011

You can play with the check boxes, categories, etc. to get what you want.

 

[CNGsaves]

Another high quality manufacturer of gauges is WIKA.
http://www.wika.us/products_PM_en_us.WIKA

You literally have endless options (bottom mount, back mount, top mount, etc) and most accurate gauges will be "liquid filled" gauges (meaning there is liquid in gauge to ensure reliability of measurement). Wika makes gauges that handle CNG/LNG/Hydrogen pressures up to 5,000 or even 10,000 psi so an air compressor gauge will be no problem at all !!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

http://www.surpluscenter.com/Gauges/

 

[toolslut6.0]

Get a Caterpillar gauge. I think they still have the 2 year warranty. Plus they are damn good gauges.

 

[gatorgrabber]

I already have a gauge on order but the Surplus Center sure looks like a fun place to waste time!

 

[CNGsaves]

I'm not sold on SurplusCenter as gauge that I pulled up was Made In China . . . . not gonna get my money, even if bargain.

 

[gatorgrabber]

Gauge is coming from Amazon; SC just looks like an interesting place to rummage around in.

 

[koditten]

Lowes has those hangers in the plumbing section as well.

 

[Scott r c]

I'm a plumber and have only seen those wall mounts in cast iron. Didn't know you could get copper plated. Nice work.

 

[Lu-Max]

I just ordered two of these. Favorably reviewed and easy to read. Only $13. http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_48504_48504

 

[Miss_Sissy]

Lowes has those hangers in the plumbing section as well.

My local Lowe's only had the two-screw variety, not the hinged single screw type. And they did not have the copper-plated mounting plates.

I'm a plumber and have only seen those wall mounts in cast iron. Didn't know you could get copper plated. Nice work.

Thank you! I saw the clamps and plates in galvanized finish, but the copper looked a lot nicer. I also wanted copper-plated clamps to avoid pecking order problems that can lead to corrosion where the clamp meets the pipe.

I forgot to mention elsewhere that I used type L copper pipe, rather than the thinner type M. I didn't like the idea of hard-clamping to M or having it serve a structural function in holding the filter, regulator, and gauge. I know that type K is thicker still, but not generally carried at home repair stores and would have been throwing money away for what I was doing.