Stand-alone pump gauge

Off the top of your heads, does anybody know if it is possible to buy just a gauge?

I’m going to build a proper custom made cylinder soon, and I will rely on oral suction for pressure, but I would like a visual feedback of what kind of pressure I am at, since I would have no idea just from feel, of course.

I am going to check out some local auto stores, but I have a feeling that they would only have things like these as parts of foot pump kits, etc. I just want the gauge! And Preferrably waterpoof as well, I’m not sure something like an auto tire foot pump gauge would be waterproof…?

Getting a waterproof one will probably be the sticking point. Have you looked in the Yellow Pages under Vacuum & Pump systems? If one of those companies doesn’t have a guage, they will know where to get one.

Lots of gauges here:

A waterproof one might be expensive. They do have some diaphram types that might work.

Auto parts stores here in the US sell vacuum gauges. Aussie stores should too. While you’re there get a plastic T fitting of whatever diameter needed for your tubing (there should be a section in the store selling vacuum hose fittings and adapters).

Run a short length of tubing from your cylinder to the T fitting. Then from the ends of the T run two more hoses - one to suck on and the other to the vacuum gauge. Make the gauge tubing long enough so you can hang it up high and dry when water pumping in the bath.

That’s how mine is set up.

Hey xaxxat, thanks for the link! Check out this gauge:
It’s less than $10, goes up in 0.5Hg increments, and is suitable for hydraulics, etc!

UNFORTUNATELY they do not ship internationally. Bummer.

As I said, I’ll check out the auto stores nearby, but I did check in one a few months ago and found nothing. Piss poor range :(

C’mon Secs, you know your buddies in the states will mail stuff to you. Do you want that one? We’ll have it on a boat to Down Under by Friday.

“Help a brother out 2004 edition”….. got any spare change, man? :D

I’ll check out my neck o’ the woods before resorting to drastic measures, W. BTW, how much is the shipping again?? ;)

Shipping? Probably three times the cost of the gauge. :D

Sec,

I’m not all that much up on gauges, but an auto store is only likely to have pressure gauges in lbs per sq inch rather than measuring a vacuum in hg’s or whatever it is.

You may need a more specialised type of gauge.

Hope that helps.

Petit

I got my gauge on Ebay from a private party for only 1 US Dollar plus 8 Dollars shipping. It is a very good quality but I’m not sure if it’s calibrated correctly.

Yeah, I assumed as much. What a rip off eh? Stupid lack of teleportation technology :(

True, petit. Probably because auto stores would only carry gauges to measure tire pressure, as you are filling it up, as opposed to taking air out of something (The inverse or negative pressure). I don’t know, maybe one with this type of scale would be OK, maybe there is a way to modify the gauage and a direct numerical conversion that you can do? Still, I will be looking for ones like on that site, with Hg scale… I don’t want any cock-ups, except for in the tube of course! ;)

eBay is a possibility, however, unless there is anybody in Australia selling the right product, I’d have to pay the rediculous shipping costs from the US or elsewhere anyways, in which case I might as well pay the extra $8 and get WestLA to ship me over a brand new one :D

Sec,

Another of my impossible ideas.

You may not be able to get enought suck on the tube to give you a good vacuum. I found it rather difficult to get a good pull when the tube is about 2½”

I haven’t tried it yet, but it may be possible to make a vaccum pump by converting a tyre inflator. Opening it up and changing the washer inside the cylinder, back to front so when it is pumped the air is sucked through the nozzle end and expelled throught the normal input end. I was going to try it out but I’ve just had to cram everything in my garage to take in some new fencing so it’s a bit difficult to find a wrench (to open up the cylinder).

>I found it rather difficult to get a good pull when the tube is about 2½”

You need to use relatively small diameter tubing. 1/8” inside diameter makes it easy to draw more than enough vacuum. Just now I sucked on the tube going to the gauge and was able to pull 20” Hg. Less than half of that is needed for pumping.

> Probably because auto stores would only carry gauges to measure tire pressure, as you are filling it up, as opposed to taking air out of something (The inverse or negative pressure).

I think it was Piet who couldn’t find a vacuum testing gauge in auto parts stores. Odd. Maybe they aren’t as common elsewhere as in America.

Every Checker or Autozone in the US should have them or be able to order you one. They are used for diagnosing some engine problems. If manifold vacuum isn’t high enough something is leaking or broken. Can also come in handy when troubleshooting vacuum switching gadgets. Some of the fancier gauges used to be dual purpose, also able to measure low pressures such as fuel pressure on carbureted engines.

Try going into a petrol or service station in the UK and they would give you a blank look and go away muttering ‘vacuum gauge’ and shaking their head.

Anyway I’ve founf the wrench so shall have a try with the foot pump. I’ll probably find my dick in the foot pump!

There is some funny guys on this forum

” Anyway I’ve found the wrench so shall have a try with the foot pump. I’ll probably find my dick in the foot pump!”

I have the same problem. Went to Pep Boys and bought a gauge,
hose, t, etc. When I got home and realized there is big difference in
vacuum PSI, wasn’t thinking I guess, Ill try to take it a part
also I already bought so if I mess it up I don’t care.