I have a Taprite I got from MoreBeer. I also just got a used Kegeratorthat came with this Draught Tech regulator, which feel much more substantial. Are there some brand that are top of the line?
You get what you pay for is my general experience. Taprite is inexpensive and not as durable as other options. I've used other brand (I think, they at least looked exactly like it) and they're sturdier feeling but I don't remember much else. MicroMatic is another more worthwhile brand.
If you can't get a rebuild kit for it I'd put it at the bottom of any list.
fwiw, I have Taprite, Chudnow, and Micromatic regulators, and rank them in that order...
I have both Micromatic and Taprite on my Beverageair various BM23's. Both work fine for residential use BUT for commercial rigors Micromatic can't be beat.
Regulators aren't really subjected to much mechanical stress so "sturdiness" is pretty meaningless. Most of the time what's eventually going to fail is the membrane and you definitely can't judge its quality or its current condition without disassembling the unit so you can't really judge a regulator by looks alone.