[modeleng] Re: Guage glass protectors

Jeff, Do you mean "Reflex" instead of Duplex?  Indeed those are very easy to 
read and well protected also.  BUT EXPENSIVE!

Alan, As for myself, I have not much actual protection for any of my gauge 
glasses, but the one on my Filer and Stowell is partly inset into a piece of 
1/2" square brass stock and that sort of gives it protection from three 
sides.  One glass has the four steel rods mentioned by Jeff, but the other 
three are "naked".  So far I haven't had any problems with breakage, but I 
do carry spare glasses for two of my locomotives.  I think a glass should 
last for many years if one is careful while stoking the firebox.  BTW: all 
of my gauge glasses use "O" rings as seals.  The top of the housings screw 
off and the glass can be removed by pushing up on it so it slides out 
through the top.  No problems with leaking and there is no packing nut to be 
overtightened to shatter the glass.  Also, since the glass is free to move 
within the housings, there are no stresses to cause breakage.  I do 
"fireform" the cut ends of the glasses so they do not have sharp edges to 
cut the "O" rings.  Most of my glasses came from nominal 1/4" glass tubing 
as is used in highschool chemistry labs.  I did some work on a pair of 
stadia rods for the Ag teacher and he "requisitioned" me a couple of 2' long 
pieces of the tubing.

I don't think there is any need to protect the glasses with a mica cover.  I 
have had flames (propane) billow out the fire doors on occasion and never 
had a glass broken (even the unprotected ones) by the flames.  The "Gold 
Bug" that Charles Brumbelow purchased used (PC: Previously owned) had a log 
book with it that seemed to indicate the need to carry spare gauge glasses, 
but I think this was due to carelessness with the coal scoop by the original 
owner.  Charles ran the loco at the MSLS fall meet and had no problem with 
broken glass.

Jesse in chilly West Tennessee, USA

 Hi Alan,>
> You could try and find a piece of Pyrex glass, that glass will take the
> heat. Or, go with a cage of 4 stainless rods around the glass, launch 
> engine
> style. The American style metal encased Duplex style water gauges are also
> very tough, and very easy to read also. Cheers Jeff Dayman

>> If you were making a gauge glass protector, what material would you use?
>> What are the alternatives? Alan Stepney

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