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Author Topic: Sight Glass Seals >> I believe 1/8 OD Glass Tube  (Read 719 times)

RichSteamTx

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Soft tubing is Really Really Hard to cut square. Best I can do freehand is with a straight edged razor blade while hosted on an I.D. sized piece of rigid tubing, dowel or rod acting as a mandrel, but even then, it is a challenge.

If I really need it as perfectly square as possible, I do the above with the mandrel piece chucked up in my lathe, with the razor blade held ridged against the side of the tool post and turn the chuck by hand. Sometimes, it still takes several tries, even when set-up like this!

That is some good ideas, I remade the one in my 3rd photo free hand and it looks like sh*t. Then I used my caliper's straight edge to use my razor blade to cut the tube (while smushing the tube flat).  It was mucho better, though still not perfect.

Regardless: I cut two seals, lube/mount fittings/seals onto sight glass and finger tighten - under 10 minutes.  Compared to what seem hours before, I call this a win (assuming the seals hold).
Richard

RichSteamTx

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I have done my 4 horizontal Empire Engines with ~5mm Sight Glass tubes, perfect seals for all.  If that silicon 3/16" ID x 1/4" OD tubing was a bit stiffer I sure I wouldn't need that o-ring or perhaps if I was to get a perfect cut on the tubing.  I still have my vertical No.92 "Play Boy" to redo, so perhaps I'll see how close I can get without the o-ring.  I have been thinking, how could I make a cutting jig that would make a perfectly cut ~0.15 seal from this silicone tubbing.

I didn't try to much without the o-ring because the process was working and I wanted to see if I could repeat my steps with success.  My success rate with combo o-ring/tube is 100%.  The time it took me to do these 4 (with steam testing) is about what it took me when I was working on that No.32 that kicked off this thread of my!
Richard

RichSteamTx

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Okay, Empire No.92 "Play Boy" old dried up seals replaced with only ZerksPlus High Temp Silicone Tubing 3/16" ID x 1/4" OD @ 0.2 inches in length!

https://youtu.be/-JrVs9jToUc
Richard

Stoker

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Looks perfectly dry ..... Well Done!!!
"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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RichSteamTx

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Yep, I have re-filled her up and ran her a number of times and under accessory load - silicone tubing is holding!  Not like I am going to undo the other 4 horizontal engines but I'll now just go with the tubes from here on out!

We have ourselves a "Winner, winner, chicken dinner"! ;-)
Richard

Weedensteam

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Re: Sight Glass Seals >> I believe 1/8 OD Glass Tube
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2023, 12:17:13 pm »
Hate to give trade secrets away but this is how I cut the gaskets:

Frank C.
http://weedensteam.com
       - engine identification and parts

RichSteamTx

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Re: Sight Glass Seals >> I believe 1/8 OD Glass Tube
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2023, 12:32:58 pm »
clever!  I like it!
Richard

 

Todd Kahill and Three of His Great Models 2017