Need it Now? See Alternatives

October 13th, 2010 by Dale Foster, Jr.

I wanted to let everyone know that we have installed a new feature on the Dale Foster Sales website to help our customers find the right gauge in a hurry.  I’ve found in the past that sometimes customers are looking for a specific part that we don’t currently have in stock, but they still need that part in a hurry.  In most cases I’ve been able to walk customers through the available gauges that have similar features and will work to suit their needs.

Screen Shot of Alternate Gauges

Need it Now? See Alternatives

We have now streamlined this process so that you can quickly do it from the comfort of your computer.  Now if you search for a part that is not currently in stock, the product listing will display a feature called, ‘Need it Now? See Alternatives.’  Following this link will lead you to a listing of gauges that can be used in place of the specific model that you were searching for.

The Alternatives that we list for you are matched based on three criteria: Psi rating, dial size, and connection type (both size and location).  So if you’re in a hurry to replace a badly needed pressure system component, and we don’t have that specific part in stock, you can now quickly and easily find suitable alternatives.  In the future, we may expand or refine this feature to better meet your needs.

If you have any questions about the new Alternatives feature of our website, or have any other pressure gauge questions, by all means call me at 800-326-6518.

What is a compound pressure gauge and when to use one?

July 16th, 2010 by Dale Foster, Jr.
WIKA-9767010-lg-front Compound example

WIKA Compound Pressure Gauge

I just got off the phone with a guy tasked with purchasing a compound gauge, but he didn’t know what it was or how it

 was different from a standard pressure gauge.  I get this call all the time, often from someone with an application that requires a compound gauge, but unsure how to select the right one.  And no wonder, compound pressure gauges can be confusing and masquerade under a variety of names.

Here’s what you need to know:

Simply put, a compound gauge is a device that can display both positive and negative (vacuum) pressures. Read the rest of this entry »

How to Buy a Pressure Gauge

June 16th, 2010 by Dale Foster, Jr.

If you’ve never done it before, or somehow misplaced your old gauge, selecting a replacement pressure gauge can be an intimidating task. But don’t worry, I’ve created this quick and easy guide to walk you through the basics of selecting a pressure gauge.

STEP 1:  PRESSURE RANGE

The first thing you need to know when purchasing a pressure gauge is what pressure range (pounds per square inch, or “psi”) you need. Since the accuracy of most pressure gauges is best in the middle third of a gauge, you should always select a gauge with a range that is about twice your normal operating pressure. For example, if you have an air compressor with a normal working pressure of 50 psi you want to select a gauge with a 100 psi range.

Read the rest of this entry »

How Often is DFS-Gauges Stock Updated?

June 16th, 2010 by Dale Foster, Jr.

People often ask me, Dale, How accurate is your online stock listing? Well, I like to think that it’s as accurate as I am.

I believe a good deal of the skepticism about the availability of stock online is due to bad experiences with other Internet retailers.  I know that my customers shop online because they need a product immediately and do not have the time to look for it at a store. Generally, online shoppers are accustomed to searching for the product they need, seeing if it is currently in stock, and if it is, submitting an order for it. But how often have you placed an order online only to be notified a few days later that it’s out of stock?

Read the rest of this entry »

Are your pressure gauges the real deal?

June 16th, 2010 by Dale Foster, Jr.

One of the most common phone calls I receive is the one asking how Dale Foster Sales maintains our low prices.  Customers will often ask me if the gauges are the brand name that we advertise, or if they are refurbished or used.   I have had customers tell me that they had purchased gauges on eBay only to find out that they were refurbished or “similar to WIKA” and not actual brand name parts. I can say with absolute authority that all of the parts and components we sell are 100% genuine, and all are brand new.

We maintain our low prices by establishing strong ties to our manufacturers so that we can ensure a competitive price for parts. For instance, Dale Foster Sales is one of the largest WIKA dealers in the western United States.  The volume of our sales and purchases of WIKA components allows us to purchase those parts at a low price.  A low price that we then pass on to you.

If you would like to know more about the pressure gauges and related components that we offer, by all means call me at 800-326-6518.