Rabone Machinists Level

[j.ashburn]

Good morning,a query for members.
Have a level here with a broken vial,any ideas to source a replacement vial?
Been like this unusable for years been in the family 50 plus yrs.
Of recent times the need has cropped up to use one and am very reluctant to borrow such guarded items.Was one of those ''rountoit''things so now the need for a replacement vial.
Any clues and ideas welcomed.John from Cent Victoria.

[Dave J]

There have been a few threads on these around other forums over the years mainly in the US with ground vials, I can understand it's a family heirloom but it will cost more than a another used level and then you have to replace it.

I will chase up a few links latter on if no one else jumps in, done.
source for level vials (http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/48746-source-for-level-vials)

Starrett level vial replacement? (http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/starrett-level-vial-replacement-173577/)

Dave

[Machtool]

Geier & Bluhm in the States, might have something that will fit.

Some on from here, (Greg Q??) has bought from them before.

Mounted Tubular Levels, Geier & Bluhm (http://www.geier-bluhm.com/index.php?cPath=28_52)

Regards Phil.

[jhovel]

I arranged to purchase a vial from them a couple of years ago. At the time, we could find no mutually acceptable payment method. They seemed to be an almost completely paper-based organisation, no international electronic transfers.... In the end they hesitated to take cash in an envelope by air mail and I gave up and bought one from Richard King (who buys his from them) and who takes Paypal. They did say they would set up a PayPal account for future international deals.... So try them, they were surprisingly helpful and cheap for a vial without any mounting.
Tubular Vials, Geier & Bluhm (http://www.geier-bluhm.com/index.php?cPath=61_73)

[Ueee]

Geez, i wonder where they are made? It would be a bit of a project to make your own level with their finer vial.

[jhovel]

Ewee,
that's exactly what I wanted it for. I've made it and scraped it but havent assembled it yet.... photos coming when done....