Manometer/ Pressure gauge

[granath]

Hello, this has been I've since i posted here, my building has stood still, but now I'm steaming ahead again, so I'm in search of a Manometer/ pressure gauge. have found lots of them nice looking brass ones, with or without syphon, but it's kind of costy i think (heck the gauge cost more than i have spent on the engine and boiler together at this stage)

so if anyone knows were i can find a cheap working manometer, maybe even somebody has one laying around?

it doesent need to be a good looking brass one, plastic housing could work, (of course it would be fun with those good-looking ones but no "must") but i would like to have a rather small one size-wise, god working and at a good price.

so if you know something help me out please:)

Best Regards // Victor Granath
Sweden

[Eddy Matthews]

A friend of mine uses the gauge from an old car foot pump (used to blow the tyres up).  It works very well, and even a brand new pump is only about £6 (6 UK Pounds).

It's not the prettiest looking gauge, and it's not the smallest, but it works.... And if money is an issue it's certainly cheap enough!

Regards
Eddy

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Victor,
As Eddy suggested a tire gauge works good. Anything smaller than that is going to be expensive as they are not used extensively in industry. Remember to use a syphon with a gauge, with out it the High temperature will damage the gauge. I used to know a fellow who made his own gauges, it is quite tricky getting the manometer tube right, which is probably why they are so expensive. I did run across a book that had instructions and plans on how to make your own. I can try to find the title if you want.
Regards,
Gerald.

[granath]

thank you for the quick responses,

Eddy: here in Sweden i have found a pressure gauge with plastic housing that is 50mm in dia for 10$ so i could live with that. but i think it would be nice with a smaller one so i can place it nice and visible in my vessel later on.

i was searching around now and come across this. http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/product.php?productid=3149&cat=116&page=1 14$ so OK, price, don't know shipping yet, but i have emailed and asked now. question is if does the job well if i use a syphon, 

would be great to find a similar at a similar price in EU, but i can't seam to find one.

Gerald: thank you for the information but i think i will skip the making of my own gauge he he, even if pretty much everything else is made from scratch this will be one thing that i will buy. but again thank you for the info.

// Victor

[monarch]

Go for something bigger-it's cheaper and generally more accurate.  If you want one, just give me a shout and I'll send you a calibrated guage for free...we've got loads!

[steamboatmodel]

As Monarch says a larger gauge is generally more accurate. Most of the ones we use on models give a very rough indication and are there more for appearance than function. If I am setting Safety Valves or doing Hydro tests I use the largest most accurate one I can find, I then note or adjust the small gauge to read better, but never rely on it for completely accurate readings its just not there.
Regards,
Gerald.

[granath]

Thank you all, specially monarch for your kind offer, but since i live in Sweden i thought the shipping could be a few bucks, plus the shipping time, but i bought one today 50mm in dia and 0-16bar i think it will do the job just fine.

Best regards// Victor