Boston Industrial Air Regulator with Brass Gauge

• The thread size is 1/4 inch NPT on both the male and female ends
• Made of solid brass with gauge
• Regulator had a 160 PSI maximum
• Provides fine air control for spray guns & air tools
• Infinite adjusting range fits any spray gun or air tool inlet

The reason I bought this is because my old plastic air regulator for my Central Pneumatic air compressor had blown out. It had developed a hole inside around the handle which would constantly let air out, causing my air compressor to stay on constantly, trying to bring the tank pressure up.

Just a little FYI for those who are beginners to air compressors. If you have a hole letting air out, and or the tank drain is not sealed, it will cause your air compressor to come on and never turn off. This is a bad thing because it will cause your air compressor to burn up under the strain due to overheating.

I went on Ebay looking for a metal air regulator which in my opinion, should not ever break. I noticed they were selling these brass metal ones for only little extra cost of the plastic ones. These ones are all made of metal, minus the gauge housing.

First thing I did was put some Teflon plumbers tape onto the pipe threads of my pressure switch. Then I tightened the air regulator down onto it, it seems to make a good seal there. I then put Teflon tape on the other end so that I could attach my connection manifold.

Another FYI, a connection manifold is basically like an adaptor. It takes the single output of your air compressor and turns it into three. This way you can have a total of up to three hoses connected to it at any given time. I use one because I find its more versatile for all that I use my compressor for.

Once I got it all connected, I turned on my air compressor and let it build up pressure all the way inside the tank. I was watching the needle slowly go up on the gauge, so I knew that was working. One of the biggest differences between my old regulator and this one is the pressure regulator valve.

On my old one it was large, could grab it with your whole hand, and it was quite precise adjustment. This one is more of a thumb screw type and its less precise adjustment because its a ball type valve. Now this doesn't bother me too much, I just thought I should mention it.

It does seem to regulate the pressure well, but because of its design, your adjustment of pressure does not seem to show up right away on the gauge, which I find kind of odd. The other thing I don't like about it, is on the opposite side of the thumb screw, there is a retainer clip on it.

Around this area, air will leak out. Now, I have no doubt in my mind that it is designed to do this to a certain point. But it felt like it was not stopping. The air it was leaking out however was a very tiny amount, and when I finagled with it, it seemed to have stopped somewhat.

So, my review of this brass air regulator with gauge is that, I think its a SWEET regulator, and I think it will last a long time. I just feel it could be better engineered for better efficiency. I do recommend it for any home use air compressor. I do not recommend it for commercial units.

If I learn anything more about this regulator with gauge in the future, I will be sure to update my review. Hope this helps...

UPDATE! 2010

As promised, I would update you guys if I learned anything new. I just discovered something important that I think anybody who is wanting to purchase this should know.

As I mentioned in my review, these regulators are designed differently then the more precise regulators you might also be accustomed to. However, for what I use my compressor for, I do not need the ability to adjust my pressure in 2-PSI increments! LOL

Each turn of the thumb wheel adjusts the pressure by 25-PSI difference. Remember what I said about the gauge reading the pressure funny when adjusted? How do you know what pressure you are at?

Thats because with this design of regulator, you must key your air tool in order to see the pressure level. When you let off, the needle on the gauge returns to max tank filled pressure. Key your air tool again, and the needle will go down to the set pressure.

Strange design I know, but at least it works, and at least, now you know. Hope this update helps... :-)

Recommended:

Yes

Buy Boston Industrial Air Regulator with Brass Gauge Now

Item was advertized as a regulator. In actuality it is nothing more than a valve with a gage attached.