Sanke diptube sight glass protector

**Bobby_M** · 01-10-2008, 02:14 AM

I've been talking about doing this and finally got around to mocking it up. The tube is the perfect diameter for fitting over a half inch compression nut with a little hammering.

The hard part is cutting a nice uniform slot down the tube. I don't know anyone with a mill so I tried a grinder and it came out OK but it's still too sloppy for my taste. If anyone has a mill and wouldn't mind helping me out, PM me.

This is basically what I have in mind:

1/2" or 5/8" wide slot right down the length...

**SuperiorBrew** · 01-10-2008, 02:25 AM

You beat me to it, I have the tubes, sight glasses but havent found the hardware yet.

**Lil' Sparky** · 01-10-2008, 02:26 AM

Nice. The pic doesn't look that sloppy. A little sanding might make it purdy.

**Bobby_M** · 01-10-2008, 02:38 AM

Rich, I've got some stainless fittings. Let me know what you had in mind and I'll cut you a deal.

**BeerCanuck** · 01-10-2008, 02:40 AM

Nice application...you did that with a grinder?...kudos Bobby_M

BeerCanuck

**Yuri_Rage** · 01-10-2008, 02:43 AM

I don't know that a mill is going to make it look much prettier. They tend to chew up sheet metal. Just be careful with the grinder, and clean it up with a file and some sandpaper.

**Bobby_M** · 01-10-2008, 02:56 AM

Yeah, I guess a mill won't help. I might try putting a metal cutting disc in the table saw but I'll have to figure a way to feed the tube in without killing myself.

**Seabee John** · 01-10-2008, 04:27 AM

Hell, I think that looks downright nice. If you really wanted to get funky with it, you could mark and cut notches for every gal/qt for keeping track of the volume. I went the cheap route and installed a plastic sight glass. I marked out every qt. Then I put two zip ties on the sight glass. They fit snug but still slide up or down. If I want to sparge 10 qts. I slide a zip tie to the current water level and one down to the level the water would be at minus the 10 qts and let er fly...no pun intended. It's an easy way to keep track of your water usage.

**Bobby_M** · 01-10-2008, 12:34 PM

Nice idea on the zip tie level targets. I do plan on using a dremel to etch the calibration marks when I get all three slotted out.

**HenryHill** · 01-13-2008, 03:55 AM

Yuri is probably right; a mill is hands-off but cutters like to push sheet metal, so the grinder idea is probably leaving the uncut portion in a better condition. Die grinder and burr bits and sand paper flapper will finish that up nice.

Tell me more about shaping the lower end to a hex- did you start with a smaller hex to preform the flats, or just turn it to three different 180's and tap it with a hammer, 60 degrees apart, each?

I second the hash marks with dremmel/die grinder-then highlight each hashmark with a paint pen to make them more readable. Sharpie or paint pen on the keg wall for the corresponding numbers.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Difference between Corny/Sanke Diptube	SowegaBrews	Bottling/Kegging	3	06-15-2009 01:43 PM
Help with sight glass	kgar2121	Equipment/Sanitation	7	05-16-2009 01:36 AM
Instead of a sight glass....	beerme70	Equipment/Sanitation	4	05-27-2008 03:27 AM
Sight Glass	Chris_Dog	Equipment/Sanitation	2	11-03-2007 01:07 PM
Sight Glass DIY	Jester4176	DIY Projects	12	03-14-2007 12:29 PM