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Author Topic: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount  (Read 741 times)

Nick

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Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« on: May 19, 2021, 10:10:37 am »
Short clip from a sight glass breaking/repair demonstration, one of the lessons from “Steam School” this past weekend. Water side is always shut off first, followed by the steam side.

Nick

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2021, 11:18:31 am »
Well now ........ that was exciting!!!
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
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Jim

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2021, 06:09:42 pm »
Looks like you had a fun weekend Nick.

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Jim

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St Paul Steam

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2021, 08:01:21 pm »
that engineer can move pretty darn quickly when he needed to.
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Nick

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2021, 08:13:02 pm »
Well now ........ that was exciting!!!

I sure wouldn’t want to be in that cab when it blows unexpectedly!  :o

Looks like you had a fun weekend Nick.

Very good time and learned a lot more after a long break from 2019’s class. I scored very well on my practice test again (117 out of 125) and was told I am ready for the advanced class  ;D  After that class I will have 48 of my 50 hours (and hope to pick up a few extra hours this summer) required to take my MN hobby/historical boiler license test.

that engineer can move pretty darn quickly when he needed to.

He usually has a Captain America shield when he does the demonstration  :D  but that wouldn’t fit in the cab of the engine so he had to use the shovel.
Nick

St Paul Steam

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2021, 10:07:55 pm »
So that answered my question, he did this intentionally.
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Nick

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2021, 10:34:28 pm »
So that answered my question, he did this intentionally.

Yes, the two times I have seen it they replaced a clear glass with a Redline tube, so they are teaching and improving the engine at the same time. They show us how to cut the glass and seal the tube and the proper way to warm the glass being the boiler is already warm and full of steam.
Nick

St Paul Steam

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2021, 08:18:41 pm »
So that answered my question, he did this intentionally.

Yes, the two times I have seen it they replaced a clear glass with a Redline tube, so they are teaching and improving the engine at the same time. They show us how to cut the glass and seal the tube and the proper way to warm the glass being the boiler is already warm and full of steam.
Interesting, thanks Nick.
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2021, 08:26:11 pm »
That'll cook some hot dogs fast.
Tommy

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Nick

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2021, 08:26:49 pm »
So that answered my question, he did this intentionally.

Yes, the two times I have seen it they replaced a clear glass with a Redline tube, so they are teaching and improving the engine at the same time. They show us how to cut the glass and seal the tube and the proper way to warm the glass being the boiler is already warm and full of steam.
Interesting, thanks Nick.

I think I would stand back a little after replacing the glass under pressure... at least the first couple times trying it...

The procedure for when it breaks is to remember that the most danger comes from the water in the boiler... shield yourself with a shovel, clothing, or anything laying around, turn the water (bottom) off first, then the steam (top), check water level with try cocks, cut/install new glass, warm glass by opening the water glass drain cock and cracking open the steam valve, after a few seconds, close the drain cock and slowly open the water valve, then fully open the steam valve. Never tighten packing nuts with either valve open.
Nick

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Re: Breaking a Sight Glass on an Avery Undermount
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2021, 02:31:15 pm »
... nothing is too hard for an engineer! ;D
Cheers
Jürgen
Dealing with steam is one way of having fun in life.