Tire Gauge, WTF

Ive had this same tire gauge probably since 1995 or nearly 30 years.  It used to have a rubber shield wrapped around the gauge but excess heat or something made the rubber gooey years ago and i got rid of it (some goo remnants remain.)  

I reached for the gauge this morning and it does not work.  The WTF moment is that if you look close, the pointer is behind the resting pin.  How did this happen?  

The resting pin seems to go all the way up to the glass so it doesn't appear that the pointer just jumped the pin.  The pointer also doesn't seem loose at all. Oddly, seems like the pointer went all the way around.  I have not had the hooked up to anything with extreme pressure like greater that 60psi.

Time for a new one...suggestions?  

Nearly 30 years from Longacre...buy another?  

You Spinal Tapped it. Its, its...11.

Jaco digital, number one on Project Farm. Had mine 4 or 5 years, it's been great. Buy directly from Jaco, $29.95 with free shipping.

Jaco

You are going to post the pix after you take it apart, right?

A replacement gauge is a few $ less than a complete unit.  Or, a replacement gauge is only a few $ less than a complete unit.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/Air-Pneumatics/Pressure-Gauges/Pressure-Vacuum-Gauges/?page_no=1&fq=ATR_Range:Up\+to\+60\+PSI\+Max

Interesting...I hadn't thought of just the gauge.  However, inspecting mine closer, the chuck is rather rattly.  30 years of abuse, and a 30 year old hose too.  

I think I want to avoid digital.  That then means batteries and I'm afraid that also means doesn't work when I reach for it after 6 months of non-use.  

I think I'll try this Jayco analog @ $19.99 and it will be here tomorrow!  For analog on the Farm-Test the Longacre was first and Jayco second but Jayco nearly half the price.  

Did you press the release button to see if it returns to zero?

It may be that it had warm moist air in it from the last use, and due to temp and condensation it's now holding a slight vacuum. 

If the quality of their digital gauge is any indication, I think you'll get years of use from the analog gauge.

Call the 1-800-number on the dial face.  Maybe they'll comp you a new gauge for saying nice things about their product on an enthusiast website forum.

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

Keen eye.  I'll look into that Monday.  

Take a punch and place it on the metal ring around the glass cover and tap-tap from back to front and get the lens off.  With a pick, lift the pointer up over the pin.  Test it on a tire with known pressure.   If it is not calibrated, pull the needle off of the center pin with needle nose pliers.  Rotate it by as much as the pressure was off and put it back on.  It is now calibrated.

I have a Longacre like that too. The cover came off years ago but otherwise fine. Ive often wondered about the calibration. 

John Welsh said:

Interesting...I hadn't thought of just the gauge.  However, inspecting mine closer, the chuck is rather rattly.  30 years of abuse, and a 30 year old hose too.  

I think I want to avoid digital.  That then means batteries and I'm afraid that also means doesn't work when I reach for it after 6 months of non-use.  

I think I'll try this Jayco analog @ $19.99 and it will be here tomorrow!  For analog on the Farm-Test the Longacre was first and Jayco second but Jayco nearly half the price.  

You, sir, just addressed one of the many "someday I should really look into that" issues in my life. Thank you. That gauge is on my list.

John Welsh said:

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

Keen eye.  I'll look into that Monday.  

When you call them, ask what kind of junk are they selling,? It only lasted almost 30 years.