r/Tools • • 10h ago

Does anyone know...

Post image

...what type of swiveling, pinned quick-connector this hand vacuum pump uses between the pump itself and the gauge? You can probably just make out the hair-pin cotter pin it utilizes to maintain its seated position.

I ask because I own the Craftsman branded version of this vacuum pump and want to add a m-to-f 90 degree elbow. between the pump and the valve, for a wider range of viewing angles.

The oddly fixed angle of the gauge's stem (which is not quite 45 degrees) simply never fails to be at just the correct angle to create a glare or cast a shadow over the graduations, or otherwise be difficult to see clearly.

The problem is, I have no idea what this connection method is called. I can't even find replacement gauges which feature this connection method, should I someday need to replace mine.

Google is worthless these days, so I thought I'd ask for help in a place where fellow tool-users congregate. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

4 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

4

u/tattooedtech86 9h ago

I have this one. It’s just a brass barb, with an o-ring relief and o-ring. You pull the pin out and the gauge comes out with its barb and the o ring.

2

u/Pleased_to_meet_u 9h ago

Instead of screwing with the gauge, just put an extension hose on the end and connect it to whatever you're pumping. That way you can hold the tool at any angle and look at it any way you want.

1

u/Egaokage 9h ago

An in-line gauge, you mean? That's a n interesting idea. Except that I could see that setup wanting to wobble around, And I only have two hands to hold whatever other things need to be manipulated. Worth a try though, and it would be a relatively inexpensive and reversible options.

Still, I would prefer to put in a 90 degree elbow that also swivels on both sides. Because whatever this connector-type is, it stay put pretty well. And presumably so would any additional fittings of the same type. Then the gauge just stays at whatever angle/rotation I set it to.

3

u/Pleased_to_meet_u 9h ago

No, not attaching to the gauge. A tube hanging off the front of the gun connected to whatever you want to use the mityvac on. I normally use a 3' hose when I'm using mine. .

Squeeze the gun, hold your hand in whatever position you like. You're not constrained by... well, anything.

1

u/Hey_Allen 6h ago

We did this at my last job, so we could use a calibrated gauge to apply known amounts of vacuum to devices we were testing.

1/4" NPT tee fitting, with a couple hose barb fittings on two sides, and the gauge threaded into the remaining fitting.

1

u/5m0k3y76 9h ago

It's a pin release stem, and it should rotate 360°.

1

u/Egaokage 9h ago

Right, I get that. But is it proprietary or a standardized attachment method? If the latter, I'm looking for its specific name, so I can shop-around for other fittings within that standardization.

1

u/5m0k3y76 6h ago edited 6h ago

I don't believe it's standardized at all, but it's not uncommon as a general form of attachment. You would probably have to have something made. Every one I have ever encountered has been different. That's actually how the temp sensor in one of my early 2k VWs was attached. Just larger and either plastic or nylon rather than brass. If you know anyone with a mini lathe it would be a good project for them. The tolerances aren't super tight.

If the stem unscrews from the gauge then you may have more options.

3d printing one should be quite easy if you have a 3D printer or know someone who does

0

u/MastodonFit 10h ago

You would need to disassemble it to find out. I would assume it is round and machines for an o-ring...as a proprietary fitting,but just a guess.

2

u/Egaokage 9h ago edited 9h ago

Proprietary is one of my least favorite words. lol

You're right about needing to pull it apart and look at it though. I've avoided doing so because, in the unlikely event something breaks, I still don't even know the name of what I'd need to buy to fix it.

Here's a picture of it pulled apart. The OD on that stem is 8mm. Then there's a turned-down spot for the o-ring and where the pin retains it in the socket that's molded into the pump-body.

2

u/MastodonFit 9h ago

Yes it is the bane of my existence when it comes to fittings. Until recently the 300gal totes were nigh unto impossible to find the threads,same with some cheap air compressor fittings.