DIY Sight Glasses?

[Bobby_M]

Either #111 or #112 will work.
3/32" thick.

 

[pickles]

thanks bobby

 

[pickles]

i just bought 1/2" polycarbonate and o-rings that bobby specified earlier. I had to buy 8' of tubing and 100 o-rings pm me if anybody needs some

 

[pickles]

Dang! McMaster-Carr is awesome. I've already received my package i ordered yesterday afternoon! Bobby_m that polycarbonate fits perfectly! thanks

 

[ClutchDude]

They are! Got a parts order yesterday and they had everything wonderfully labeled. It was my first time ordering from them and I think they just earned my business. Now, if they just stocked 5/8 British PT couplers.......

 

[pickles]

I had things delivered to work and snuck in the back room and began construction here it is

 

[modenacart]

No epoxy... Use a compression fitting with either a nylon ferrule or Orings instead of a ferrule. Something like this:

Only you wouldn't leave the metal ferrule in there but rather pack 2 or 3 Orings in behind the nut. You tighten the nut, it compresses the Orings, making a nice seal and completely removable. They do make nylon ferrules that look like that metal one but I've never tried it.

Where did you get the compression fitting?

 

[pickles]

mcmaster carr sells them

 

[rtrevino]

Which elbow are you using for your sight glass? I was looking at McMaster's site and there are so many that I am not sure which one to go with.

 

[Bobby_M]

I don't have any more 1/2" tube to 1/2"NPT but I have some 1/2 to 3/8 or 3/8 to 1/2.

The cheapest commercial place I know of to buy them is buyfittingsonline.com but I'll beat those prices if you want what I have.

 

[modenacart]

Just recieved my two sight glasses from Bobby M. They look really good, I am sure I am going to be very happy with them. Much better than the ghetto rig I was using.

 

[modenacart]

Bobby M, how do you mark your sightglasses?

 

[Isley]

No epoxy... Use a compression fitting with either a nylon ferrule or Orings instead of a ferrule. Something like this:

Only you wouldn't leave the metal ferrule in there but rather pack 2 or 3 Orings in behind the nut. You tighten the nut, it compresses the Orings, making a nice seal and completely removable. They do make nylon ferrules that look like that metal one but I've never tried it.

Happen to have a part number for that compression fitting?

I found a SS one on McMaster (8239K39) but it was a little over $30. Are there less expensive SS ones out there or is this just what they cost?

 

[Bobby_M]

Stainless Steel Fittings is the cheapest I've found retail. I found a few large lots on Ebay for a more reasonable price if you wait patiently but these things are pretty top shelf.

 

[ascha]

You can step it up a notch by using nice thickwall polycarbonate from Mcmaster or Usplastics.com

Is Polycarbonate Tubing flexible like vinyl tubing or stiff like a pvc pipe

 

[Bobby_M]

Closer to pvc.

 

[ascha]

is there a need to secure the top by attaching it to the bk?

 

[mmurray]

[URL="http://www.mcmaster.com/#gauge-glass/=a8hbll"]http://www.mcmaster.com/#gauge-glass/=a8hbll[/URL]

Wish me luck... I was worried about the tubes melting so I decided to go with 1/2" pyrex glass tubes and connect them in the same fasion as BobbyM did, but I left the metal furrel out and I'm planning on either using a nylon furrel or doubling up the o-rings. Haven't used it yet, but I've got them sitting here waiting for me to finish my keggles.

 

[Bobby_M]

is there a need to secure the top by attaching it to the bk?

Yes, no matter what material you use, you don't want a 20" lever to snag on.

 

[Bobby_M]

[URL="http://www.mcmaster.com/#gauge-glass/=a8hbll"]http://www.mcmaster.com/#gauge-glass/=a8hbll[/URL]

Wish me luck... I was worried about the tubes melting so I decided to go with 1/2" pyrex glass tubes and connect them in the same fasion as BobbyM did, but I left the metal furrel out and I'm planning on either using a nylon furrel or doubling up the o-rings. Haven't used it yet, but I've got them sitting here waiting for me to finish my keggles.

If you don't have a plan for shrouding or otherwise protecting the glass from damage, they won't last long at all.

 

[jasonsbeer]

http://www.fyurl.com/rr.php?c=2&sit...=http://www.mcmaster.com/#pyrex-glass/=a8hf5mhttp://www.mcmaster.com/#gauge-glass/=a8hbll

Wish me luck... I was worried about the tubes melting so I decided to go with 1/2" pyrex glass tubes and connect them in the same fasion as BobbyM did, but I left the metal furrel out and I'm planning on either using a nylon furrel or doubling up the o-rings. Haven't used it yet, but I've got them sitting here waiting for me to finish my keggles.

I've been using the McMaster polycarbonate tubes part # 9176T12 on my HLT and BK with no trouble. They are attached with simple brass compression fittings. Best of all, no shroud required.

 

[mmurray]

If you don't have a plan for shrouding or otherwise protecting the glass from damage, they won't last long at all.

My plan was... To be VERY CAREFUL! LOL....

Actually I have the shipping container and foam packaging... I'll break them down to clean and to store the glass after each use. By not leaving them attached to the keggles I hope they'll last. I also have given thought to protective sheilding... possibly rigid copper with a "window" cut out to see the glass. So we'll see.... again... wish me luck!

 

[stlbeer]

I also have given thought to protective sheilding... possibly rigid copper with a "window" cut out to see the glass. So we'll see.... again... wish me luck!

A fellow brewer used the spear from his keggle as a shroud for his sight glass. It's big around enough that if it gets hit there won't be any damage to the glass tube. Just a thought.

 

[mmurray]

A fellow brewer used the spear from his keggle as a shroud for his sight glass. It's big around enough that if it gets hit there won't be any damage to the glass tube. Just a thought.

Curses!!! Where was this suggestion before I tossed the Sanke Dip tube?

 

[Bobby_M]

Yeah, I used spear as protection on mine. I would NEVER brew with an exposed glass on the rig. One bump and your batch is on the floor.

 

[r8rphan]

Thanks for this thread.. A sight glass is on my 'to get' short list...

B3 sells this fitting for $25.. I want to use the same bulkhead fitting for both the sight glass and my thermometer (4" probe)..

Anyone know where I can get a fitting that does what the B3 fitting does for less than what they charge? I guess it needs to have a 1/2" hole (as opposed to the 3/8") for use with the polycarbonate sight glass though, or does it?

 

[Bobby_M]

For 1/2", bargainfittings.com sells a 1/2" tee based bulkhead. My kits use 1/4" NPT parts so I can't help you out there.

 

[r8rphan]

For 1/2", bargainfittings.com sells a 1/2" tee based bulkhead. My kits use 1/4" NPT parts so I can't help you out there.

I'm a little confused here.. You use 1/4" NPT fittings, with 1/2" polycarbonate tubing?

How does that work? Are you using reducing bushings or something?

 

[Bobby_M]

Yup, 1/4" NPT fittings, 1/4" NPT thermo back, 1/2" OD polycarbonate.

 

[r8rphan]

Yup, 1/4" NPT fittings, 1/4" NPT thermo back, 1/2" OD polycarbonate.

You sell these?