DTI Glass

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

I have a Mercer DTI and the glass has become opaque and crazed over time, probably through contact with oil/coolant etc. Can these glasses be sourced and replaced and if so where from? Are they standard sizes or particular to a model or manufacturer?

[AStroudParticipant @astroud]

Take a look here

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394577123951?_skw=dial+guage+glass&var=663124875600&itmmeta=01J9V7YZX5R6E47QRBXDZXQ6XV&hash=item5bdea11a6f:g:-z0AAOSwCuxkP7Hf&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkRgX9DVKaafJIB5IhTw64dawPZ9J3g%2FCc8iNyB6fbKbDmqRCaJy0qg3aMTbY414n1oWg7zJ809Pecfs0bisWQBoMP15js4S5SsH2bccmvWhDbKBDlCzosnuu5WwrFEzy9%2Fup%2Fe3vky2NTFbwug6JU%2BkCIsAZi5KA2j4yv39DLHAMgxg6KeViKZZps2UxyAFt%2F1Fu5qSu0FQh42t6lbgXVJ6Ym7iDo9Vqjus2UDJzhTAKTXqB5Oknmf0QzQW2Dhj8vNC51tSKv1cjBgW9E3PEtwtphlEnw%2BiGbGePCfEVthTA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM2P77585k

[Earny49Participant @earny49]

Hi

There used to be a company called H Roberts, Dial Indicators who were situated just off the ring road in Leicester who repaired all sorts of dial indicators. Don’t known if they are still there but they certainly good at repairing ones which had been dropped by students !!

[peak4Participant @peak4]

One from my bookmarks which is worth a look

https://longislandindicator.com/crystal-installation-instructions/

Bill

[Chris Crew]

On 10 October 2024 at 12:42 Chris Crew Said:

I have a Mercer DTI and the glass has become opaque and crazed over time, probably through contact with oil/coolant etc. Can these glasses be sourced and replaced and if so where from? Are they standard sizes or particular to a model or manufacturer?

Is the glass/crystal flat or domed ?   I made and fitted a domed one to a Baty indicator a short while back, if its domed you need a tool to bend and fit the flat crystal.

John

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

You could also try repairing the glass by polishing with car headlight restorer. Available at car accessories stores or ebay.

Or try a DIY version with toothpaste to clean the glass.  Or the classic white vinegar-baking soda tag team. Wet the glass with water or vinegar, apply baking soda and scrub with a sponge. Add vinegar and repeat a few times, rinsing clean with water when finished.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

The tailstock of your lathe can be used to press the flat crystal into the bezel held in the chuck, the required curve being provided by suitable shop made former held in the tailstock.

The crystal can be cut from clear plastic sheet tacked or clamped to a piece of wood on the faceplate and trepanned with a V shaped tool to give the required angled edge as per the Long Island Indicator drawing linked above.

Aluminium polish such as Solvol Autosol is good on clear plastic too, and quicker than headlight polish and toothpaste etc.

[MacolmParticipant @macolm]

 

You can use the tailstock and a suitable piece in the chuck to “shrink” watch glasses etc (if you do not have the custom fitting tool). It works well with two O rings, a larger diameter one of about 3/4 of the OD of the clock glass, and a small one about 1/4. The larger obviously goes outside the curvature and the small inside. Thread the dial, watch or clock body on first, then carefully feed the tailstock until the diameter is reduced enough.

[Author]

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