I have been looking for a perfect fit sight glass for Weeden replacements - it might even do for some of my Empires. When Frank's Weeden site was open for ordering he offered 3mm sight glass. While it worked, 3mm is to small for my liking. The water wouldn't bounce very well (or at all) and the seals would squeeze out between the slip nut & glass.
I found a seller on eBay
(doudou188) that sold various glass tube sizes and on his listings mentioned to reach out about different sizes/lengths. I shared him photos of a original Weeden sight glass and then he share photos of what he could provided (all dimensions on his digital calipers). So I ordered
10Pcs Quartz Glass Capillary Tubes | OD3.5mm ID1.9mm Thickness 0.8mm Length 100mm. This glass tubing is PERFECT and I couldn't be happier. I cut & installed on my No.665 where I had to use 3mm glass tube and now the water flows perfectly and bounces easily as I tilt the engine.
It was costly, at $76.22 (all in to my door from China).
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Here is another example, my early Weeden No.17 Reversible with the early lead sight glass fittings. These are problematic and the 3mm tube gave me fits and the water hardly flowed once I got it to stop leaking.
Also, the glass tube floats between the elbows and do not slip into them, like on later brass fittings. So it is rather important to get the glass tube perfectly fit between the elbows. So I cut the glass slightly oversized and use my glass files to make a perfect custom fit.
When I pulled the 3mm glass tube out, one of the silicone seals were mangled beyond reusability. Here is before (3mm) and after (3.5mm). Who says size doesn't matter ;-)
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I've had issues with finding sightglass tubing suitable for Weedens with the thinner
tubes. I saw that listing on EBAY but was not ready to purchase that many $$$$ worth.
Is there a chance you would part with one or two? I'd gladly pay a fair price each plus
shipping. Would there be any 'house' fees, sales taxes, or tariffs?
Ha-ha...gotcha!
Wayne
I've had issues with finding sightglass tubing suitable for Weedens with the thinner
tubes. I saw that listing on EBAY but was not ready to purchase that many $$$$ worth.
Is there a chance you would part with one or two? I'd gladly pay a fair price each plus
shipping. Would there be any 'house' fees, sales taxes, or tariffs?
Ha-ha...gotcha!
Wayne
Hey Wayne,
I just put two uncut 100mm lengths to my brother via the UPS store in a small bubble envelope and that was $14 dollars (USPS Priority would have been $20). Let me think what I am going to do, since I am about to go back to Texas for the holidays. I am debating about buying another 10-piece set to have in Texas, if I do I'll send you some from there.
For the record, doudou188 didn't have that listing until I asked him if he had 3.5mm for sell, so its pretty interesting one of you guys already saw his new listing (only been up for a few weeks).
.... Would there be any 'house' fees, sales taxes, or tariffs?
Ha-ha...gotcha!
Wayne
Very funny - not! Stupid tariffs ... so many things I just won't buy because of them. Then the things I do buy I know they cost so much more because of them. Such a lovely way to tax us little people.
@komet163b - I just ordered another set of 10 off eBay for my Texas "shop" - should have them by early December. Then I'll send you two 100mm lengths of glass tube, via USPS. That should be enough for 7~9 engines. I just ask that you cover shipping (once I know it). Never know, you might end up with a part I'll needing and you'll think of me :-)
I'll keep you posted!
Rich....I'm on board for 3.5!
I just resealed a Weeden 670 sightglass, 3mm,
and it doesn't really work very well to show the
water level. I suppose it is capillary action
creeping into the equation. I'll swap it out
when I get my hands on those 3.5mm tubes.
In case anyone is interested, I used twisted
teflon tape as seals. Usually works pretty well
and did so here.
Wayne
The new set of glass tubes are on their way to Texas - I expect early December for them to arrive.
The sight glass made it in today
@komet163b - could you PM me your address and I'll get two off to you this week.