Low profile sight glasses

[Black Bull]

I'm slowly collecting parts for my next build and I want to utilize some sight glasses.
Ideally I'd like them around 4"
BUT

I dont want them sticking out like these

Has anybody used something similar to these and welded or soldered the flange in ?

Failing that, any other suggestions ?

[Tammuz]

If you are using them in 6"-7" sections you could cut a hole large enough for those to slide in and solder them from the inside.
But if you add insulation to your column they wouldn't be sticking out at all.

[MooseMan]

Have you looked at the low profile sight towers?

Like this?

https://www.steriflowvalve.com/products ... s-windows/

[Tammuz]

If you're installing site glasses for viewing plates the above won't help much. If it's just for watching reflux or puking AliExpress would be a cheaper option.

[Salt Must Flow]

Where do you intend to install the sight glass/glasses?

[Black Bull]

Where do you intend to install the sight glass/glasses?

These ones will be for levels on tanks, room is tight and I don't want shit sticking out

[Black Bull]

Have you looked at the low profile sight towers?

I hadn't seen them, but they wont be of much use in this case.
Cool thing to keep in mind though

[Tammuz]

They make small site glasses used to monitor oil levels.

[MooseMan]

Where do you intend to install the sight glass/glasses?

These ones will be for levels on tanks, room is tight and I don't want shit sticking out

Is it a straight sided tank?

[Salt Must Flow]

Where do you intend to install the sight glass/glasses?

These ones will be for levels on tanks, room is tight and I don't want shit sticking out

I see one of those in 4" on Aliexpress for $50. Based on their schematic, if you precisely cut a 95mm hole in the boiler you should be able to insert the smaller diameter portion of the flange inside the hole and solder or weld it into place. The small part of the flange is 14mm tall (.55") so I don't know how to model it with the curvature of the boiler to determine if it will fit. You would also have to have access for your hand and the rest of the flange to fit into the boiler so you can install the parts after welding/soldering.

EDIT: Actually I do have a simple modeling software. Is your boiler a keg? If not, what is the diameter of your boiler?

[Salt Must Flow]

Here's a model based on the measurements in the product listing compared to the diameter of a 15.5 gal keg.

The only other variable I cannot model is the bolt holes, their location and whether they would interfere with welding/soldering it through the boiler. BUT based on what I can see in the video, it looks like the the screw heads shouldn't interfere because they're near the top of the flange.

It sure looks like these will work with a keg.

[Tammuz]

If it's boiler level your looking for maybe something like this.

[montanan_hippie_man]

If it's boiler level your looking for maybe something like this.

i actually bought one of these for that purpose and never used it. after doing some research on the gasket type used in that. its not the good kind "we"
want.

[Tammuz]

If it's boiler level your looking for maybe something like this.

i actually bought one of these for that purpose and never used it. after doing some research on the gasket type used in that. its not the good kind "we"
want.

I don't know what type of gasket "we" like you are referring to. This is a threaded fitting,NPT. I like it.

[SW_Shiner]

If it's boiler level your looking for maybe something like this.

i actually bought one of these for that purpose and never used it. after doing some research on the gasket type used in that. its not the good kind "we"
want.

I don't know what type of gasket "we" like you are referring to. This is a threaded fitting,NPT. I like it.

Possibly referring to the gasket that seals the glass to metal. Id also be worried about to little red ball.

[Tammuz]

That plastic ball gets removed with a slight pry. Mines on a steam generator though marked for food processing. I guess if it was higher wines getting used I would look into it more. That is one thing about a man's shed and only consuming in a small circle.

[montanan_hippie_man]

If it's boiler level your looking for maybe something like this.

i actually bought one of these for that purpose and never used it. after doing some research on the gasket type used in that. its not the good kind "we"
want.

I don't know what type of gasket "we" like you are referring to. This is a threaded fitting,NPT. I like it.

PTFE.

[Tammuz]

I checked into it and that's what's used. Since my generator and boiler don't see abv over 30% I wouldn't be upset if it was viton the other gasket that seems popular with these sight glasses. These I only use on my steam gen since water drops much quicker there. On my boiler I use 3" sight glasses from oak stills. Overkill maybe but they were just a few bucks when I bought them.