My almost 35 year old Krautkramer unit still works, but no longer with enough accuracy (due primarily to corrosion in the metal parts of the battery holder) to do more than rough estimation of whether the boiler is generally sound or is likely to need work. I still use it for that purpose.

It has a calibration adjustment, and a built-in reference block to use for checking the calibration. I generally check the calibration every 15 minutes or 20 readings, whichever comes first, unless things look a bit funky and then I check NOW.

I'd expect that even the cheap models would have a gauge block included and be calibratable.

dave

Thank you Rick and Dave help me think outside the box and not throwing your egos at us.

Someone here with a sense of humor once called this site, "RyP you a New one", because of all the arm chair critics.
Just ignore 'em.

.

For a new member to the forum who is newly elected to the board of directors for a group that is looking to restore a steam locomotive your posts (4 out of 5) are curiously adversarial.

Maybe because most of the people here have "been there, done that, and learned a few lessons" the hard way, that you don't need to repeat, unless you just want to.

As far as I can tell, you and your group have neither been there nor done that, at least not yet and from the sound of it, a little sound advice would go a long way toward helping you get started.

Jumping all over experienced people who are just trying to help you is sure-fire way to make certain they will not be willing to help you any further. In which case, you are more than free to re-commit all the boo-boos they've seen and know how to avoid.

Thanks for helping me decide where my year-end donations won't go this year.

Last news I heard is NOTHING is official on 819. I've seen some posting on FB but that has ceased as well. I'll find something with museum backing to send funds.

Restoring and operating a steam locomotive is nowhere near a cheap venture. If a UT machine is hard to afford, restoring a 4-8-4 might not be the right path.

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I emailed Steve, he said the main reason he wanted a better quality UT machine is because he is putting the safety of the members and guest at the museum first while they rebuild all the old cotton belt air lines and air tank that sits in a tin shack outside of the main building. The air lines run all though out the building. I respect that. I donated 100 dollars to the cause. It sounds like they are trying hard to rebuild their museum but everyone is still stuck in the 1990s. If I was Steve, I would be mad too. Some people forgot how to talk to people. What Software guy said was rude, I took it rude and so did Steve. I think he owes that man an apology.

Bill Travis.

If the main (short term) concern is the air tank and lines, I would suggest a hydro test.
Hydrostatic testing will test 100 percent of the pressure vessel and line surface, while UT testing is a "spot check" at best.

Jeff

I would strongly disagree. I followed this thread from the beginning (before the "hissy-fit" self deletions) , and in my opinion this is/was a good faith effort to HELP. Maybe it wasn't the answer the original poster was looking for, but it was an attempt to HELP.

Jeff

OK, so maybe we could all be a little nicer, and maybe I could have been more gentle in my writing.

Regardless, there are actually some interesting technical questions here, which I tried to include in earlier posts. I think the questions of what we can use a UT machine for, what is required and what is a luxury, are interesting. I also think the question of regulatory compliance is interesting. And related to this is make, brand, and purchase price of appropriate units. More details would make the thread useful and less guesswork.

A secondary discussion is how to organize fundraising projects and how best to present them to donors.

And finally, again, sure, we can be tough in our comments. Think of this as a practice run. If you can make your argument convincing here, then you are ready to make the appeal to the public.

I do wish the responses had more technical information, even if the result is to prove me wrong.

Well I noticed they purchased the UT machine. Good for them. If you visit their Facebook page, they look like nice enough guys, just like you and me. The 819 team actually has a greater youth factor than most groups, which is A Good Thing™. I'm glad to see this group exists. Very cool indeed.

Yes, but it wouldn't hurt them to listen and learn a little before getting huffy.

As has been pointed out, hydro tests are the only accepted way to do the air line test.
Using UT might work if you UT every single square inch of surface.