Budenberg Pressure Gauge

[BrandanM]

Hi all.

I recently purchased this item.

I know virtually nothing about either the manufacturer or pressure gauges in general except for at the time of purchase I was aware that Budenberg were fitted to some road-going steam traction engines.

The gauge is approximately 6" diameter, appears to be brass cased and designed to be mounted against a flat surface. There is a threaded inlet stub at the base.

Would anyone be able to enlighten me further as to it's age/application etc...?

I like it simply as a decorative piece, but I suppose it's too much to hope that it was once fitted to a steam locomotive?

Thank you.

 

[John Webb]

It seems to be a general-purpose gauge as it's not marked in any way as to whether it's for use on a specific gas or liquid. If it had been fitted to a steam loco, I would expect there to be a red line on the dial indicating the design boiler pressure.

I cannot quite read the small print on the dial, but at the bottom is a serial number. It may be possible to find out the age from factory records?

 

[Ken X]

As an apprentice in 1980 at a hydraulics company we had many, many Budenberg gauges like this. I suspect this could have come from many sources. We marked the glass if we had a particular pressure to note but otherwise the gauges were unmarked as they moved from rig to rig.

 

[deltic]

My father worked for Budenberg, they supplied many specialised gauges including for aircraft and submarines. They couldn't really compete in the mass market where Smith industries came to dominate. Besides the Broadheath factory they also had one at Amlwch on Anglesey.

 

[stuving]

The company, though taken over, still trades as Budenberg. For your query the Grace's Guide entry on them may be more relevant.

 

[BrandanM]

Thanks for replies.

Asides from the brand it was the maximum PSI reading and diameter of the gauge that stirred my interest and raised my hopes that it may possibly be designed for measuring boiler pressure.

 

[Zamracene749]

I worked 35 years on chemical plants, some dating back almost 100 years. 20bar/275psi is very common on steam systems (classed as intermediate pressure). I've seen thousands of bourdon gauges! However, the brass case suggests it wasn't used in a corrosive environment. I reckon it's very likely it was used on a steam boiler. Perhaps even on a locomotive!

 

[stuving]

Thanks for replies.

Asides from the brand it was the maximum PSI reading and diameter of the gauge that stirred my interest and raised my hopes that it may possibly be designed for measuring boiler pressure.

If you look at the adverts on Grace's Guide, comparing what's on the dial and the typeface, yours seems to have been made around 1960.

 

[Lost property]

For the benefit of the OP. a bit more about Budenburg .

As other have said, their products can be found in every industrial sector, aviation being no exception on ground equipment, and Fred Dibnah popped into the factory with his steam roller one day (as shown on his excellent series)

However, Budenburg is located in an area called Broadheath, albeit located the other side of the canal to what was once the main industrial location in Atlantic Street and adjacent to Linotype, or "The Lino " as it was usually referred to.

The key point, is, that, this comparatively small area was world class manufacturing before the term was coined.

Of all the apprenticeships available at the time, the two most prized, and hence very selective, were Budenburg and Linotype.

For the rail aspect, Broadheath station, now long gone, could be said to be far more busy, plus sidings, that its close neighbour, West Timperley with the line connecting to the Man-Altrincham line at Skelton Jnc as well as the Stockport line.