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Better Nut

Why chemists call these devices a 'nut', and not a 'bolt' does confuse our machinists.  But that is not the issue.  These 'better nuts' are an inexpensive, compact way to secure a tubing using a traditional single ferrule.  These nuts offer the following features:

  • Wide flared strain relief allows use in tight spots where a sudden bend of tubing is required.  Such spots include heater entry/exit points on Agilent 1100/1200 series. 
  • Knurled area for starting nut with maximum 'feel', to avoid 'cross threading'
  • Hex portion for final torquing.

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These nuts may be used finger tight at low pressures, but must be tightened with a 1/4" hex wrench for pressures of up to 8000 PSI with our optional PEEK ferrule (shown) and over 15,000 PSI using a steel ferrule.

 

Welcome.

ImageWe manufacture fluid links and fittings for better HPLC.  Some of them are....

  • The 'Gemini' dual symmetrical gripping fitting (Patent Pending)
  • The original UHPLC-ZDV flexible fluid link
  • The 'Better nut', an improved HPLC nut for tight places
  • The 'OEM' fitting, a captive system for high pressure applications which eliminates parasitic volumes
    We also manufacture electronics interfaces and data acquisition and control software for pressure monitoring.
Read more...
Best Overview

ImageBest Instrument, Inc was started to commercialize an invention of John W. Best, the 'Viscometric Flowmeter', in 2005.  While a US patent was received (7,644,632) and the FlowMonitor™ PLUS did result, it was found that the lack of commercially available high pressure fittings that remained stable negatively affected the ability of the FlowMonitor™ PLUS to retain consistent calibration accuracy after being subjected to high pressures.  The design does have much potential as an HPLC diagnostic, monitoring or control device, and for measuring pressure and other derived HPLC parameters such as pulsation or viscosity.  However; it was decided to place continued development of the the FlowMonitor™ PLUS on hold and to pursue the commercialization of fittings we adopted and re-designed originally to solve problems we discovered with what was available commercially at the time of initial development of the FlowMonitor™ PLUS.

Image This is the original fingertight UHPLC-ZDV fitting.  Various derivatives of the original are available and are described in detail elsewhere on this website.  This fitting is rated at 15,000 PSI, and has a unique feature to positively eliminate dead volume.   These were supplied as part of a tubing assembly in various lengths and end configurations, and carry a lifetime guarantee. 

Best Instrument has also developed completely novel fittings to address application niches which are troublesome for derivatives of the original UHPLC fitting.   Such niches include reliably holding PEEK or PEEKSil tubings at extended pressures (> 10,000 PSI).  Another application niche exists when users would like to attach a fitting like the original UHPLC fitting to a user supplied length of tubing.  Recall that the original UHPLC fittings are supplied on pre-fixed lengths of rigid (1/16" OD) and flexible (1/32" OD) tubing.  Now, users can purchase a compact fitting which is highly desirable in the OEM marketplace, because it can be installed on any length of 1/16" OD tubing. 

 
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