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Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
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Author:  cityzoo [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
I'm looking for a source that can supply the two (dissimilar) gaskets to form the seal at the top and bottom nuts of a Nathan water gauge.

Unfortunately, I don't have much information about the unit other than the patent date: Aug. 19th 1913.
Height of the body is 13 1/2" which would mean the length of the glass should be 12".

We have an upcoming photographers special out at Exporail, so we're hoping to find a solution that would get us running by next weekend (go big or go home, right?!).

If anyone has gaskets they're willing to sell, or in a pinch a diagram which could be used to make new ones, the help would be much appreciated.


Kyle Irving
Member, Exporail steam crew

Attachments:
JM-Nathan.JPG
JM-Nathan.JPG [ 179.25 KiB | Viewed 6347 times ]
Author:  Dave [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassembled a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
I'd be more concerned with the glass itself.

Try Ernst - for a new glass and gaskets.

dave
Author:  cityzoo [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassembled a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
Thanks for the tip!

I'll check with them on Monday. The glass I'm not worried about. The gaskets don't seem to to be the usual flat. Mortal remains were all sorts of shapes, and the bottom fitting would suggest the need for a stepped gasket, but I was hoping to check with someone who knows Nathans before concluding that.
Author:  Lincoln Penn [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
If you are under FRA, and if that's a tubular glass, those have to be replaced at presctribed intervals.
Author:  Mike Tillger [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
That style of water gage was also known as a Delco water gage. I found a picture of it in the 1922 Locomotive Cyclopedia, Image is of a similar type of glass, looks like they just used a soft packing material and let it form to shape.

Mike Tillger

Attachments:
nathan delco2.jpg
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Author:  Dave [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
Even if you're insular, it's good safe practice to change them regularly. No fun being in the cab when one shatters.

You might have old rope packings squished together instead of gaskets.

dave
Author:  Mike Tillger [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
One other thing, check the threads on the top nut, many Nathans were left hand thread.
Mike
Author:  cityzoo [ Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ever disassemble a Nathan MFG Co. sight glass?
Thanks guys, I'll let you know how we end up fixing it.
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