Wes Fab Filter Press Leak

[Springfield Acer]

I did a test run on my Wes Fab 7" short stack tonight with hot water and was disappointed to have a piping leak.
I was more disappointed to see why it leaked.
My leak was where the pressure gauge connects. They did not use a tee but instead drilled and tapped a hole in the side of the first ell.
The side wall of the ell was less than 1/8" thick allowing less than two full threads and on top of that the threads were torn up.
To make matters worse the gauge would not thread out without removing the motor. Then to get the elbow off, it was necessary to unbolt the pump and the aluminum filter block from the frame.
By the time I was done, the entire press was completely torn apart.
It's a shame that such a nicely built piece of equipment has one flaw that is so poorly made.
Tomorrow, I'm having a a coupling welded on to the ell.
This will allow me raise the gauge up to where it is more visible and be removed without removing the motor.
Bummer!

[Gary R]

Let the dealer know. Maybe Wes Fab will send the parts or at least acknowledge a flaw in the design. I think my gauge is on a Tee?

[Springfield Acer]

My first thought was to email Wes Fab but they apparently do not have a website or published email address.
I will contact the dealer.
They might come up with something but the clock is ticking.

[markcasper]

They are all made that way! I put a new pump on mine a few weeks ago and the old gauge had broken for years but couldn't get it off without as you said, tearing it to pieces. When I took the old gauge off, a piece of thread from that ell came with it. I taped the new gauge well and after putting it all back together and ran it, there was syrup shooting out, oh I was @&*^ed. A whole batch of hot syrup and now back to the shop, tore it apart and found another ell and left the gauge off, after many years of it not working a gauge doesn't matter anyway.

[Springfield Acer]

I had a guy in our fab shop at work weld a coupling on today. It took all of five minutes. This procedure is not all that more involved or costly that the current suspect set up.
I talked to the vendor today and as always, he was more than accommodating even offering to pay for any costs. I told him that it was not his fault and that I did not expect anything from him. He did not know of a website or email address for Wes Fab and recommended that I call them. I will try to find time Monday for a call.

[maple flats]

My press is a Lapierre, but my gauge is in a 4 way cross. from the bottom feeds the fitting, on top is the gauge, the back goes to the filtering plates and out the front is the bypass. You should however, if you only have 3 directions to go, use a Tee.

[Gary R]

Yep, you guy's are right, mines the same. I'll try not to break it. I might look around for a side outlet ell or weld up an elbow in advance.