In my experience using the old R12 back in the day, no gauges, dirt cheap. This was the way to tell : System obviously low, compressor cycling and blowing 50 degree air from the vents using a stick thermometer. Bypass the compressor to make it run, dump in a 1lb can, right side up. Let it run in the heat 95 degrees, high humidity, at 1200 rpm. Check thermometer. Oh, it got colder by 8 degrees. Dump in another can, oh, almost 33 degrees ! Dump in another can, thermometer went up and high line stopped sweating. OOPSY !!! Overfilled. Disconnect and push schrader valve in to let some out. Keep checkin thermostat till you got to around 33-35 degrees, YAY

It's full. Then throw in a can of compressor oil for the hell of it

....Good ole days