Sight Glass Assembly

[franco32]

Does anyone have a good source for sight glasses? I've tries the search feature and I'd have hundreds of threads to search though to find anything good. I'm looking for either brass of stainless...thanks

[pfshine]

Make them its easier than you would think.

[franco32]

pfshine...it has crossed my mind. Any suggestions? I've kicked around some ideas but it all comes down to time and money. I thought about using some 1 1/2 brass pipe and using brass 11/2 plumbing nuts for the sights. Then I would need some 1 1/2 glass. Could probably make 4 for the price of one pre-made.

[zombie911]

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/11-WELDL ... P2939.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I have one of these. You may want to order a second base fitting to make it a sealed unit instead of the top venting. The base piece is an additional 7.00 bucks

[bellybuster]

I figured he wanted sight glasses for a plated still??
Easy flange and triclamp hold a sight glass on allot of guys stills

[franco32]

I was looking for a plated still...sorry , wasn't very specific. Thanks for the look though zombie.

[bellybuster]

Without looking I think PrariePiss has an easy flange sight glass on his bubble ball. Not sure. Find a post by him and follow the link in hid signature

[franco32]

Thanks bellybuster...

[googe]

There surprisingly easy to do Franco, do an easy flange on one end, then cut to length, tHen do a tube join, I have a Way to do it that a member here showed me and works great, I've been meaning to do a tutorial on it but it's time consuming to type. I will soon though. You can always just use a grinder with a flap disc and and away the groove, test fitting every couple of sands, it really isn't hard!.

[pfshine]

There are tons of ways to figure out a saddle but the easiest way by far is to use a hole saw the same diameter of the column.

[zombie911]

There are tons of ways to figure out a saddle but the easiest way by far is to use a hole saw the same diameter of the column.

Second that.

You can also spray glue some emory paper/sandpaper to the same hole saw, and use it to clean up the cut.

[googe]

I've seen people do the hole saw way, they have to use a solder on flange don't they?, like a ss one?.

[franco32]

I like the hole saw sandpaper Idea. I have an idea I'll try to put together and post up.

[friendly1uk]

Do you think you could stand that on the table and melt glass in? The real question being one of expansion rates and copper elasticity.

[zombie911]

Do you think you could stand that on the table and melt glass in? The real question being one of expansion rates and copper elasticity.

Melting glass is fairly easy. Annealing it is another matter. It would take HOURS of slow cooling to prevent the glass from shattering at the slightest temp change in the column. You would really need a kiln to pull it off.

Look for a local Glass Blower! They would be able to do it. $$$$$$'s
They may help you out tho because it is a unique project.

[Hound Dog]

Just buy a copper 'trap adapter" from Lowes or a plumbing supply place. Trace the base to fit the column and grind it down. Its not hard. Solder it on and then drill out the column with a hole saw. Once you do it you will see its easy.

For the glass, buy a round borosilicate disc from Mcmaster Carr. Wrap the edges in Teflon tape and screw it together.

I put a couple out 1 1/2" site glasses on my boka so I could see the reflux overflow, the top of my packing and my bubbler plate on the bottom. It is easy.