Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Technical Tips, Builds, and Help => Topic started by: steamwhistle on August 24, 2021, 07:11:47 pm

Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: RichSteamTx on August 31, 2022, 06:42:16 pm
Well, the 4mm was too small but this fit perfectly:  Borosilicate Glass Tubing 5MM Outer Diameter.  I have like a zillion feet of it as it came in 1ft lengths as a pack of 10.

The O-rings mentioned were a bust, though I did use one on each side then used @komet163b suggestion of using twisted Teflon tape.  One side seems perfectly sealed and the other is going to weep a little if I don't try it again.  Needless to say if I break the glass again I'll have lots glass tubing in stock!

Now I have to figure out a heater, got my bother's Jensen in today and it is way to long.
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: RichSteamTx on August 24, 2022, 03:50:20 pm
To the rescue!  I am using my Allen wrenches I am not sure if that is a good way - I'll give them a try.

thanks


 
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: komet163b on August 24, 2022, 03:41:07 pm
I measured my 90 tube at 4mm.  For tubing try...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173383058942


Plenty and cheap

Wayne
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: RichSteamTx on August 24, 2022, 03:20:09 pm
I got in the 5mm ID x 7mm OD x 1mm from Granger but while the inside/outside seemed perfect for the glass/fitting the thickness needed to be  about x2~3 more or at least with mine fittings.
I image I can just stack them up.  Also the threads on my on the male/nipple are snarfed, so it is hard to tell if I am actually getting to where it needs to be.

But after all thing trying to figure things out, I broke the glass tube. Now to figure out what size glass I need to buy.  I welcome anyone that know this, I haven't a way to measure the glass circumference
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: RichSteamTx on August 22, 2022, 01:30:02 pm
No I haven't - that's a cool solution but I am sure I'd mess it up LOL
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: komet163b on August 22, 2022, 01:25:16 pm
  Have you considered Teflon tape twisted into a thin string and then wrapped
around the glass tubing (as much as seems needed)?  It works the same way
as a slice of silicone tubing.  I can testify to that!

Wayne

Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: RichSteamTx on August 22, 2022, 12:46:20 pm
Did this 5mm ID x 7mm OD x 1mm work?  Did you find a good source / part number?  Also what is "Using Rog's method (for cast base Empires)" - I'd love to read that.

I found these at Granger

O-Ring: 5 mm Nominal Inside Dia., 7 mm Nominal Outside Dia., 7 mm Actual Outside Dia., Black, 25 PK (https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-O-Ring-5-mm-Nominal-Inside-1RHN2?opr=ILOF)
-15 Degrees to 400 Degrees F
Item # 1RHN2
Mfr. Model # 1RHN2
UNSPSC # 31181506
Catalog Page # 2176
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: steamwhistle on September 01, 2021, 08:25:46 pm
Paula,

I had not considered metric - I think that would work.  I will PM you shortly.

Thanks!
Jeff
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: Paula on September 01, 2021, 11:01:33 am
Hi Jeff,

I like to use o-rings also, rather than tubing (unless the OD is too large for the nut ID, of course.)

Have you considered a metric o-ring? A 5mm ID x 7mm OD x 1mm wide might work. You would need around 9/32" dia. clearance inside the compression nut. I have a bunch of them, and could send you a few, if you think it's worth a try.

Paula
Title: Re: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: steamwhistle on August 31, 2021, 08:13:00 pm
Okay ... I'm not sure what to try next.  :-\

I've tried the smallest size o-ring my local hardware store sold (a #60 1/4" OD x 1/8" ID).  Using Rog's method (for cast base Empires), I can fit the o-ring over the sight glass, but cannot get the compression nut over the o-ring.  The combination is just too large and I'm afraid I'm going to break the glass.

Anyone have some suggestions for getting this back together?  I must be missing something because I don't think it should be this difficult.  Should it?

This is all I need before I can fire up this engine for the first time.

Jeff
Title: Empire Sight Glass Gaskets
Post by: steamwhistle on August 24, 2021, 07:11:47 pm
Can anyone recommend replacement sight glass gaskets or material for an Empire No. 90 engine?  I believe the sight glass is original.  It measures 13/64" diameter x 7/8" long.

I've read folks use silicone tubing.  Could I use model airline fuel line from my local hobby shop?

I attempted to use fuel line from an assortment I purchased at an automotive store, but none were the correct size, not to mention they seemed kind of too stiff.

Jeff