Guage handle constantly falling off

[HSS]

One set of my refrigeration guages has plastic push on knobs or handles and the low side one will not stay on. Every time I get them out of my van I have to look for the handle. I decided it's time to make a new handle, I am tired of putting the &^**% thing back on everytime I use them. I turned it out of 2" brass stock and scalloped the perimeter with an endmill in the RT. Since the handle shaft is a "D" shaft I drilled and tapped the knob for a set screw and used locktite to set the knob. We'll see how long this one lasts. LOL

 

[Tony Wells]

Re: Guage handle constantlyalling off

Would help if you dimpled the flat. Looks like a fine remedy....need to make the mate to it now.

 

[HSS]

First thing my wife said was "where's the other one?" I'll wait till it falls off or enough people complain. LOL

Pat

 

[Tony Wells]

Too funny! At least you ought to make a Blue Dot for it, Pat.

Mine aren't falling off yet, but then, I'm not a heavy user.

 

[pjf134]

I never had one fall off and I have some old gauges, let us know how long the locktite works. What made it fall off in the first place (abuse)?
Paul

 

[HSS]

Abuse???? Me?????? The old guage handles were held on with a screw in the middle of the handle like a water faucet handle, like Robinair, JB, or Yellow Jacket. This is a Refco guage set and the handles are plastic and push on with nothing to keep them on except friction. Everything is being made cheaper and cheaper. I guess eventually I'll make the other handle, but I was running back and forth between the shop and the bedroom where my lovely wife was rearranging the bedroom furniture and wanted a strong back. I got tired of running and locked up the shop.
Paul, the locktite was on the setscrew securing the handle to the flat.

Pat

 

[pjf134]

HSS,
Come to think of it I do have one with a missing wheel at the end instead of in front. Some one gave it to me when he retired and it was old so I forgot about it, don't remember the make, I will have to check. I think it was small and made of metal, brass I think. I thought you used locktite on the stem screw, forgot about the set screw below.
Paul

 

[HSS]

Yeah Paul, all of the old sets had the wheels on the ends attached with pan head screws that were constantly backing out. The knobs on the front are a relatively new inspiration. Everyone is going to that style. Some are even powder coating their manifold sets to match a powder coated vacuum pump, LOL. Looks nice but I work with my tools and, to me, those are just eye candy. Best set I ever owned was a set of Jarrow Brenda (J/B), but they aren't the same quality anymore. Imagine that. LOL

Before I make another wheel for the manifold set, I need to make a set of knobs for my reclaim tank. They put crappy push on plastic knobs on the tanks now and they split and fall off. Does anyone use metal anymore? I need to figure out a way to get them off and on easily so that I can change them from one tank to another. I don't want to be making a lot of tank knobs.

Pat