Gauge glass protectors

[JonL]

Our club inspectors are currently highlighting the need for correct gauge glass protection, the only problem being I can't think of a neat way of making some that won't make it difficult to read. The nuts at the top and bottom of all my gauge glasses have a hex head so that makes it less easy to fit some.

I was wondering about soldering some wire to some strips of brass the same distance apart as the gauge glass gland nuts which would then be folded in a partial hex to clip round it but its still not that neat.

Would anyone care to share their solutions that would be capable of being made by me?

Thanks, Jon.

[tractionbob]

Jon

This may be of interest

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAuOzbJPTbk

I have made similar for a 2" traction engine and 5" loco but used brass rods instead of stainless.

[Jim]

I made a similar water guage protector for my Burrell SCC and included a white panel to make viewing the water level easier. I had thought of adding 'zebra stripes' to make the level clearer but decided to stick with the plain white as per the full sized model I was following.

The one time the gauge glass broke was due to the longish copper tube to the top of the glass lifting under pressure so snapping the gauge glass, causing much excitement. I solved that problem by making and fitting the 'U' shaped strong back that you can see holding the two gauge glass fittings to stop them spreading under pressure. I haven't had any problems since. 

Jim

[dhamblin]

Flat bit of brass sheet with a central long slot section to view the glass, then both ends bent over at 90 degrees with an open slot to go onto the lower and upper fittings.

Regards,

Dan

[Jim]

Jul 2, 2022 6:46:47 GMT dhamblin said:

Flat bit of brass sheet with a central long slot section to view the glass, then both ends bent over at 90 degrees with an open slot to go onto the lower and upper fittings.

Regards,

Dan

A good suggestion that would solve both issues.

Jim

[Boadicea]

Jul 1, 2022 17:02:27 GMT JonL said:

Our club inspectors are currently highlighting the need for correct gauge glass protection, the only problem being I can't think of a neat way of making some that won't make it difficult to read. The nuts at the top and bottom of all my gauge glasses have a hex head so that makes it less easy to fit some.
I was wondering about soldering some wire to some strips of brass the same distance apart as the gauge glass gland nuts which would then be folded in a partial hex to clip round it but its still not that neat.

Would anyone care to share their solutions that would be capable of being made by me? Thanks, Jon.

Move to another club where there is less busy-bodying and a better sense of the proportionate risk?

[waggy]

I’d be asking the inspectors to show examples of the protectors they’ve made and fitted to their boilers.

Good luck,

Waggy.

[springcrocus]

Hello Jon,

I covered (pun intended) the gauge glass protectors on my Britannia HERE but I don't know if it's any help to you.

Regards, Steve

[andyhigham]

Get a bit of clear polyurethene or similar hose, cut it to length and split it along it's length. Then prise it open and slip it over the gauge.
Then when out on track whip it off and leave it in the cab. When returning to the bays slip it back in place

[ettingtonliam]

Jul 1, 2022 17:02:27 GMT JonL said:

Our club inspectors are currently highlighting the need for correct gauge glass protection, the only problem being I can't think of a neat way of making some that won't make it difficult to read. The nuts at the top and bottom of all my gauge glasses have a hex head so that makes it less easy to fit some.

I was wondering about soldering some wire to some strips of brass the same distance apart as the gauge glass gland nuts which would then be folded in a partial hex to clip round it but its still not that neat.

Would anyone care to share their solutions that would be capable of being made by me?

Thanks, Jon.

Is this along the lines of 'Its a good idea to fit protectors to gauge glasses, IMHO,' or 'in my role as Club Boiler Inspector, I'm telling you you've got to fit protectors to your gauge glasses or I'm not going to give you a boiler certificate, the clause in the rule book is -----, and the correct type of protector that is required is------'?

It probably IS a good idea to fit a protector though

[JonL]

Jul 2, 2022 13:34:21 GMT ettingtonliam said:

Jul 1, 2022 17:02:27 GMT JonL said:

Our club inspectors are currently highlighting the need for correct gauge glass protection, the only problem being I can't think of a neat way of making some that won't make it difficult to read. The nuts at the top and bottom of all my gauge glasses have a hex head so that makes it less easy to fit some.

I was wondering about soldering some wire to some strips of brass the same distance apart as the gauge glass gland nuts which would then be folded in a partial hex to clip round it but its still not that neat.

Would anyone care to share their solutions that would be capable of being made by me?

Thanks, Jon.

Is this along the lines of 'Its a good idea to fit protectors to gauge glasses, IMHO,' or 'in my role as Club Boiler Inspector, I'm telling you you've got to fit protectors to your gauge glasses or I'm not going to give you a boiler certificate, the clause in the rule book is -----, and the correct type of protector that is required is------'?

It probably IS a good idea to fit a protector though

The former, its been described as best practice and preferred at our club. To be honest our boiler testers are brilliant, if they do think something needs improving they are very helpful and eager to assist. It isn't didactic, they just want things to be as good as they can be.

[JonL]

Jul 2, 2022 6:46:47 GMT dhamblin said:

Flat bit of brass sheet with a central long slot section to view the glass, then both ends bent over at 90 degrees with an open slot to go onto the lower and upper fittings.

Regards,

Dan

Good idea, I like it

[JonL]

Jul 2, 2022 9:33:53 GMT springcrocus said:

Hello Jon,

I covered (pun intended) the gauge glass protectors on my Britannia HERE but I don't know if it's any help to you.

Regards, Steve

I may use that design on my Britannia. I've got one less to do though!

[smallbrother]

Has an incident ever occurred where someone whacked the glass so hard it broke?

I'm struggling to think what sort of cack-handed behaviour could do this.

Pete.

[simon6200]

I’ve done it on my one and only night run. I hit the glass with the shovel. The engine, a Simplex, blew down fairly dramatically. So what? No harm done to engine or driver except embarrassment.

[smallbrother]

Jul 3, 2022 6:44:34 GMT simon6200 said:

I’ve done it on my one and only night run. I hit the glass with the shovel. The engine, a Simplex, blew down fairly dramatically. So what? No harm done to engine or driver except embarrassment.

I thought it would be more rare! Nevertheless, I would say it is low probability and medium risk.

When you look at what we do overall, moving heavy and hot lumps of metal around, I see hazards all over the place that are high risk and high probability too. Everyone turns a blind eye (literally) to it all.

Pete.

[simon6200]

A member did it on a public running day once too, now that I recall, driving his Hunslet. Same thing, hit the glass with his shovel, but he did not have my excuse of darkness. The passengers were more shocked by the ensuing Railway Esperanto than the billowing, hissing steam!

[jordanleeds]

See whilst on larger fittings there are some with a restrictor in the top and a ball bearing on the bottom I do wonder if these would be scaleable for smaller gauges

[jma1009]

There is no "need" i.e. requirement to fit gauge glass protectors in miniature, and in any event in miniature will provide no 'protection'.

In 39 years I've never seen a gauge glass fail in steam.

I would not like to comment on those examples quoted of hitting a gauge glass with a shovel... except that such individuals who don't know the difference between a gauge glass and a firehole door ought to undergo a reappraisal and have their eyesight checked.

[ettingtonliam]

I suppose a lot depends on the proximity of the gauge to the firehole on the model in question.