AC tools

[daveismissing]

One can get by with gauges and vacuum pumps from Harbour Freight?
Recommendation s? Other required tools?

[Steve Wood]

The gauges seem okay.  One of my sets is from there.  Not sure about the vacuum pumps.   I bought a used, name brand pump that can pull sufficient vacuum.  A lot of these cheaper units will not pull sufficient vacuum to get the moisture out of the system.  Do some research before you buy.

I have always muddled thru with regular tools otherwise.  I do have a clutch tool around here some place but have not used it in 25 years.

[ULYCYC]

Orifice tube remover. Sometimes needle nose pliers will break the tube. Most never remove it to inspect and clean. They are also the ones that never get really cold duct temps.

[daveismissing]

Orifice tube remover. Sometimes needle nose pliers will break the tube. Most never remove it to inspect and clean. They are also the ones that never get really cold duct temps.

I though that replacement was mandatory as the trash seems to pile up in there?

[Steve Wood]

yes...that will save a lot of grief...been there, got that grief t shirt

[ULYCYC]

Orifice tube remover. Sometimes needle nose pliers will break the tube. Most never remove it to inspect and clean. They are also the ones that never get really cold duct temps.

I though that replacement was mandatory as the trash seems to pile up in there?

That's funny,,  Some order a new turbo before checking if a IC hose blew off

[SuperSix]

I have the 2nd to most expensive vac pump from HF -  pulls a good vacuum, works fine.

[Just a Six?]

Since we are on the topic of AC, what container could I use to store my R-12 while I swap out accumulators?

[Top Speed]

Don't think you can do that without expensive recovery equipment. 

[Just a Six?]

The eqipment wont be an issue. Just not sure what a modern shop could store R-12 in without contaminating one of their tanks with 134 or whatever is being used these days?
I still havent gone to see my friend at the shop but curious what would be needed? 
 

[ULYCYC]

Robinair or whatever brand recovery system you have sells specific storage tanks for R12 or R134. Most shops have them.

[Charlief1]

The eqipment wont be an issue. Just not sure what a modern shop could store R-12 in without contaminating one of their tanks with 134 or whatever is being used these days?
I still havent gone to see my friend at the shop but curious what would be needed? 

If you've got enough freezer space we used to put a 30 lb cylinder in the freezer for 24 hours and with a good vacuum pump, it would suck it out of the system just fine.
 
As far as equipment goes, my vacuum pump pulls 2.5 CFM and will draw it down to 30 inches of vacuum without any problems. The higher the CFM rating you get the better it will pull the system down. I've also been using a set of harbor freight guages and this is the second set so far. The 1 issue I've had with them is the high side adapter on the 134 set. It seems to leak when not attached.   Some systems I don't hook up to the high side because of the high side valve on them so I have to make sure the high valve is closed.

[SuperSix]

I have this model:
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-98076.html

There's always a 20% off coupon somewhere..

[Just a Six?]

That pump is similar to my old auto shut off air brush pump. If I had the artistic talent I could have made some good $$ with that air brush but I was limited to doing marble effects & stickmen!! Still have the Vega 2000 airbrush here somewhere?

[daveismissing]

Do we need any r12 r134 adapters for the buick?