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should i buy used gauges?

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armandomartinez

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking to start in the hvac field but I'm not exactly in a position to purchase fancy equipment.
Should I buy used gauges?
Should I trust that they are up to par? If so, what should I look for? And when should I definitely NOT buy them?
Is it even a good idea to buy used equipment?...... considering im not a full-pro YET.

always learning
 
#4 ·
Doesn't really matter much. Just be weary that their are gauges for all different types of refrigerant my friend. Don't get porked with gauges that only have R12 on them lol.
 
#5 ·
In addition to armans question, id like to add onto it by asking gauges and their compatibility with different refrigerant.
I saw a gauge made by yellow jacket that can be used for r22 and 410A, but my understanding is these two refrigerant uses different oil and can cause cross contamination.
Is this fact negligible? And if so, would buying a digital gauge such as a digicool ak900 be worth as a one time investment for long term use for the common residential AC equipments.
 
#6 ·
As far as I know, if you bleed the hoses correctly, the cross contamination is highly unlikely because of the minimal oil that would be left within the gauges. Maybe someone more experienced can elaborate, but I find that to be highly unlikely as my gauges are the ones you speak of.
 
#7 ·
Contamination is a non issue.

Seriously.

Mixing oils doesn't create the problems we were originally told it would.

If they're cheap, buy them.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
I got an add in the paper from Harbor Freight with a refer manifold for I think $25 or $30.
It's a good idea when starting out to budget because you never know what might happen.

A mistake many make is investing in an expensive truck, tools, and stock only to find out they have few customers and little money coming in.
I made myself a promise starting out that the business had to carry itself and I wasn't going to bail it out. I considered that a good idea and it was.
 
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#10 ·
I started out all used tools. Still use much of my used tools. Then I started buying them new out of neccessity and frequency of use. Still adding to the collection now!

Keep in mind, Klein has a lifetime warranty on most tools (with certain stipulations, of course!)
 
#11 ·
No.

I'm not in the trade, but do have two sets of gauges. First set made overseas and the second name brand used because I didn't think I'd get the first set back from my Dad. After a decade I tried the used set for the first time and the o rings were long gone. The import got the job done.

I bought a used vacuum pump on eBay that arrived shoddily packaged. "It worked when I sent it." A brand new Robinair was only fifty bucks more after adding shipping and aggravation.

For a one time job I got an inexpensive Zorch air-acetylene torch kit with two quick connect tips that's really solid. I wish I'd bought it the first time I needed one.

I generally seek out quality made in USA tools, but I also see the imports getting better and better. If I'm balancing cost, I'd rather know what I'm getting then discover I got someone's problems.
 
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armandomartinez
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