Hydrometer cushion

[puttster]

Looking for ideas that will overcome my clumsiness.
For my (yet another) NEXT hydrometer I'd like to insert some foam, rubber o-rings, etc. in the bottom of the glass holding tube so when I drop the hydrometer in it won't hit the bottom and shatter. Or glue something to the bottom end of the instrument itself.
Q. would that screw up the measuring?
Q. what could I use for cushioning?

 

[VikeMan]

Interesting question. I keep my main hydrometer in the plastic jar it came in. I've never felt like it was in danger of breaking from being put back into the tube.

If you glue something to the bottom, it won't affect your measurements, unless the hydrometer actually touches it (i.e. bottoms out). Just make sure to use a material and glue that are not water soluble once the glue cures.

 

[day_trippr]

I learned quickly to tilt the flask
Anything you stick down there is going to get nasty quickly if it can't be totally cleaned.
I'd work on technique instead...

Cheers!

 

[puttster]

Good points. Maybe I could cut some 1/4" thick styrofoam in rounds smaller than the tube so they will come out easily.

 

[day_trippr]

If it's only for dry storage loose fitting rounds of foam would work fine...

Cheers!

 

[bracconiere]

Or glue something to the bottom end of the instrument itself.

that, i'm pretty sure, would mess up the reading.

 

[day_trippr]

Unless it restricts the movement of the hydrometer, nothing sitting on the bottom is going to affect its readings...

Cheers!

 

[bracconiere]

Unless it restricts the movement of the hydrometer, nothing sitting on the bottom is going to affect its readings...

Cheers!

wouldn't it effect the weight of it? and thus bouyancy? he said glue some thing to the hydro itself, if i read it right?

 

[McKnuckle]

Don't bother. Get one of these. I'm sure you could break it if you really tried, but it's made of plastic and will survive basic clumsiness.

There's another version that goes from 1.000 to 1.070. I really like it because it's so easy to read.

(In case these links break in the distant future, it's the Herculometer from Northern Brewer.)

 

[day_trippr]

wouldn't it effect the weight of it? and thus bouyancy? he said glue some thing to the hydro itself, if i read it right?

I thought the proposal was to glue something to the bottom of the flask...

Cheers!

 

[bracconiere]

I thought the proposal was to glue something to the bottom of the flask...

Cheers!

or the instrument, is what i read...