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Originally Posted by mark beiser

I decided to get a Fluke 424D laser distance meter instead of a BluVac.

My 13 year old YJ 6cfm pump, with 7 year old YJ super evac kit, is plenty fast, and my YJ69075 micron gauge still works great.
After my last post, I brought my vacuum gear in from the truck and cleaned everything, replaced seals, flushed the pump out, and tested it.

Once business picks back up, and we are actually selling some systems again, I'll hit my boss up for some new evacuation gear, like a TEZ8 and BluVac.
I'm hoping to get a Flir i7 to keep on my truck this year too, so I don't want to ask for to much.
I also am lusting over the wireless setup that Metreco is about to start selling in the US market too...

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I bought an Appion G5twin and a TEZ8 last May... You will enjoy the TEZ8!

I was kinda dissapointed with the G5... I have to use a cooling coil along with it when working with 410... or it takes forever to draw the gas out. Pump is great on liquid... just slow on gas.

One nice thing about both Appions: They weigh a lot less than other units!

Originally Posted by stomper56

And i bet the blu vac will change the way you pull your vac's, it did for me anyway.

I decided to get a Fluke 424D laser distance meter instead of a BluVac.

My 13 year old YJ 6cfm pump, with 7 year old YJ super evac kit, is plenty fast, and my YJ69075 micron gauge still works great.
After my last post, I brought my vacuum gear in from the truck and cleaned everything, replaced seals, flushed the pump out, and tested it.

Once business picks back up, and we are actually selling some systems again, I'll hit my boss up for some new evacuation gear, like a TEZ8 and BluVac.
I'm hoping to get a Flir i7 to keep on my truck this year too, so I don't want to ask for to much.
I also am lusting over the wireless setup that Metreco is about to start selling in the US market too...

First problem i had was they valves weren't seating, i called Jim B. and he said to take some channel locks to them to help them seat initially, no problems after that but you really shouldn't have to crack down on them to seat, this was one of the first production runs so it was probably resolved.

Plus the revised handles where knuckle busters with the sharp edges and you really had to torque down on the handles to get them to seat (the original designed handles were awesome, knobbed but more smooth)

Second main problem i had with them i decided to try and pull a vac through the manifold ( i never pull through the manifold unless i have to but i decided to give it a try) Some how the c-clip that holds the handle on snapped off and the valve sucked shut, i ended up loosing the vac trying to reconnect the handle.
I think that happened on a small 7 ton unit but still it shouldn't have happened at all.

I had more problems than that but those are the top two that stick in my mind.

I think you will like the DC ball valve mani, its simple (like the YJ 41, just with ball valves) that was my go t manifold and i was use to "thumbing" the knobs to throttle reffer, the change to ball valves is easy but takes a little getting use to since its more sensitive or easier to overfeed compared to what your use to.

And i bet the blu vac will change the way you pull your vac's, it did for me anyway.

Originally Posted by stomper56

I had nothing but problems with the Sherman, its an expensive paperweight now.

I've never had any problem with mine in the 2.5 years I've had it, but it is very heavy, and has one more set of hose ports and valve than I will ever use.
I'm ordering the DC ball valve manifold, along with a BluVac tonight.

Originally Posted by stomper56

You have to use the swivel adapters with the YJ 41, i never had any problems with the 41's but preffer the DC ball valve manifold now.

I had nothing but problems with the Sherman, its an expensive paperweight now.

This is what I remember hearing... the valves in the Sherman were a mess.

I really do not like the offsets... wish I could find a 4 valve other than the JY (Titan or Brute) which will fit directly to the DC.

Maybe this new Hilmor will fit...

You have to use the swivel adapters with the YJ 41, i never had any problems with the 41's but preffer the DC ball valve manifold now.

I had nothing but problems with the Sherman, its an expensive paperweight now.

Originally Posted by mark beiser

I didn't take measurements to see if a DC gauge would fit on the manifold.

Which manifold do you currently have?
There are 3 manifolds, that I'm aware of, that the DC will fit directly on.
YJ Brute
Thermal Engineering TS-1000(The Sherman): http://fierychill.com/the-sherman-4-...eering-ts-1000
Digi-Cool ball valve manifold:http://www.trutechtools.com/Digi-Coo...ld_p_2019.html

I think the YJ 41 fits also, could be wrong.

Originally Posted by ga-hvac-tech

Mark: Did you look at the actual manifold? Do the valves feel better than the YJ? And will the DC head fit on the manifold w/out the angle adapters? Yeah, lots of info... just curious.

I do not like the angle adapters... and as such am stuck with one manifold under my DC 1250... which I really do not like (the knobs are waaaay too stiff).

A new manifold that fits the DC head direct mount would be a real PLUS!

I didn't take measurements to see if a DC gauge would fit on the manifold.

Which manifold do you currently have?
There are 3 manifolds, that I'm aware of, that the DC will fit directly on.
YJ Brute
Thermal Engineering TS-1000(The Sherman): http://fierychill.com/the-sherman-4-...eering-ts-1000
Digi-Cool ball valve manifold:http://www.trutechtools.com/Digi-Coo...ld_p_2019.html

Uncle got wind of the Hilmor and wants to buy it.

I think he's going on another "QVC" buying spree for HVAC instruments.

Manifold looks a lot like a YJ... the one shipped with DC's back when.... "Titan 2" ???

Mark: Did you look at the actual manifold? Do the valves feel better than the YJ? And will the DC head fit on the manifold w/out the angle adapters? Yeah, lots of info... just curious.

I do not like the angle adapters... and as such am stuck with one manifold under my DC 1250... which I really do not like (the knobs are waaaay too stiff).

A new manifold that fits the DC head direct mount would be a real PLUS!

turns out the Gauges are assembled in the USA.

No features than the micron gauge? Hilmar will have to reduce the selling point considerably to gain any market share.

Is it just me or does it seem like overkill to have both analog and digital on the same gauge?
If I wanted old school fine,if I want digi's cool,but both together on the same unit?
Personally I think they failed on this one...

Originally Posted by itsiceman

The one that looks like Sid looks better than the one that looks like Sponge Bob IMO LOL

OMG, I knew there was something the Hilmor gauge was reminding me of, SID!

Originally Posted by chuckcrj

I would like to see them, the bender and the expander look good.

Mark, how did the hand tools look?

The bender and expander look real good.
I tried the expander out on some different size of copper, and it works as good or better than any expander I've used.
I really like how compact it is, and the thumb activated release lever is MILES better than competing products because it allow for one hand operation of the tool. The right angle orientation also eliminates access issues.

I also really like the bender vs my YJ bender. No wing nuts, metal bending shoes, thumb activated release and locking levers, and a good solid overall feel.
The only issue is that there is no reverse bending adapter at this time. I was told that there will be one at some point, so we'll see.
No reverse bending adapter = deal killer.
I'm using a YJ bender now, and rely heavily on the reverse bending adapter, but the plastic bending shoes with the YJ version SUCK. My 7/8 and 3/4 bending shoes are cracked at the mount. It doesn't hurt the actual bending of the pipe, but it makes getting the bent copper out of the shoe more difficult.

I plan on picking up the tubing expander as soon as it is available, but I'll hold off on the bender until the reverse bending adapter is available.

I didn't really look at any of the hand tools, nothing new there.
The dual channel thermocouple thermometer is kinda neat, but not something I'm interested in.

Originally Posted by jtrammel

I think it looks stupid and not impressive il stick with my fp sman3. The tubing expander looks ok, but I'd have to try it out to know if its a good one.

The one that looks like Sid looks better than the one that looks like Sponge Bob IMO LOL
At least everything is shown at one time on the face of this one. Needs some tweaking though.

Originally Posted by itsiceman

If one of them trucks swings by here I'll check them out. Excluding the electronics the stuff looks good.

I would like to see them, the bender and the expander look good.

Mark, how did the hand tools look?

Originally Posted by itsiceman

If one of them trucks swings by here I'll check them out. Excluding the electronics the stuff looks good.

I think it looks stupid and not impressive il stick with my fp sman3. The tubing expander looks ok, but I'd have to try it out to know if its a good one.

Originally Posted by chuckcrj

Why are we not impressed? It sounds like everyone else is! According to a tweet by hilmor;

" The excitement about hilmor is off the charts. Now, we take our tools to you. Are you ready?..."

If one of them trucks swings by here I'll check them out. Excluding the electronics the stuff looks good.

Why are we not impressed? It sounds like everyone else is! According to a tweet by hilmor;

" The excitement about hilmor is off the charts. Now, we take our tools to you. Are you ready?..."