[Steam-engine] Lunk Jr.

[Andy glines]

Looks like Rick has polished his socks off.  I agree
with Lawrence. Go with the 5/8" tube.  Just get the
right size rubbers that fit the glass and fit in the
packing gland.  How big is the hole in the packing
nut?  How big is the ID of the packing hole?  I'm not
sure about the "no wrenches" policy for sight glasses.
 Try hand tight first but you may need to use a
wrench.  (I would be afraid to put a wrench on
something that pretty)  Lawrence made a good point
about messing with these things while they have
pressure on them.  I think that those fellows should
have turned off the valves to the glass before
attempting to tighten the nuts.  The instructors at
steam school advised us the never try to work on pipes
with live steam on them for this very reason.

--- Lawrence Swanz <LSwanz at superioriron.com> wrote:

> Rick,
> 
> I can't hardly believe that the before picture could
> actually be the same lubricator as pictured in the
> second photo.  If they are the same, then you did an
> outstanding job cleaning that unit up.  As for the
> glass, I would say that a 5/8" O.D. tube is the
> ticket.  Don't know about whether to put a wrench to
> the packing nut is acceptable or not, but if you had
> to stop any leaks, and I'm sure this goes without
> say, but be darn careful as to not over tighten and
> crack the glass.  I watched someone do this on a
> water glass and didn't find that magic spot.  It
> wasn't long and the glass exploded and they did the
> jump of joy on the gang plate as they tried to get
> the valves shut off while being sprayed with hot
> steamy water.  Guess this is another good argument
> for replacing your water column with a new style
> that has a ball bearing in it for self sealing
> should the glass break.  That is yet for another
> discussion.  On a side note, I liked the white socks
> that got caught in the pho!
>  to.  You had them there so we could identify actual
> size of the lubricator, right! (Haa Haa).
> 
> Lawrence


Andy Glines
Evansville, IN

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