Dial gauge glass supplier needed

[Paul BarterParticipant @paulbarter66156]

Hello all, I recently aquired a nice dial gauge made by British Indicators Ltd and labelled John Bull. It seems good free moving , but the crystal has been smashed. Does anyone know where I can obtain a new 52mm /2" domed crystal please. I have tried to make a new one from 1mm perspex but it needs the dome to clear the spindle fixing the main hand.. I have tried an internet search but no joy so far. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Paul BarterParticipant @paulbarter66156]

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Have a search for watch glasses, watch repairers or your friendly local jeweller. Watchmakers supply company, Carterton Oxfordshire, rings a bell, may still be trading, don’t know for sure as I have not used them for many years but they stocked hundreds of watch glasses.

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

How about warm your Perspex in a domestic oven …not for long as its only 1mm thick..then drape it over a former like a big ish ball allow to cool..

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Cousins or Walshes horological suppliers

[Paul BarterParticipant @paulbarter66156]

Thanks to you all for taking the trouble to respond, I will continue to follow up.

regards Paul

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Chap on youtube Doubleboost he got a mate that's been on his channel who restores dial gauge etc and I think I remember he could either get them or make them. So if your still stuck drop him an email he seems a helpful chap

H

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

The crystals come flat, with the OD slightly larger than the hole they fit into in the bezel. You then have to press them in using a domed former. The trick is getting the crystal just the right amount oversize and also in most cases the OD needs a chamfer so it grips in the groove in the bezel.

You can use the tailstock of the lathe to press the crystal into the bezel held in the chuck, with suitable domed former held in the tailstock chuck or taper. Watchmakers use a handy dandy little hand press to do the same.

Best source of info and parts I know on this stuff is here at Long Island Indicator Service LINK

Fitting a crystal page is here LINK

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