Thread: Starrett 98/12 inches Vial replacement expert advice needed

hi pete. have you got a new vial. have you googled this

Originally Posted by azzrock

hi pete. have you got a new vial. have you googled this

Hi Arron.
yes I brought the new replacement Vial already but need to undo the old one to get this replacement happening.
cheers
Peter

just a quess are those end caps on the tube threaded?
I know you did ask for expert help. hope my non expert guess
helps
aaron

Originally Posted by thorens

Hi Arron.
yes I brought the new replacement Vial already but need to undo the old one to get this replacement happening.
cheers
Peter

You need to take the end caps off. These are most likely threaded, but I do not know your particular make. It could also be just push fit. The vial of this type of level is usually fixed inside the tube with a white putty. It is a similar stuff to what you use when jointing plasterboard. I think it is called "plaster of paris". The stuff will get soft in water, meaning you just soak the old barrel overnight in water, and next day you can push out a moist plug from the barrel containing the broken old glassware.

Originally Posted by cba_melbourne

You need to take the end caps off. These are most likely threaded, but I do not know your particular make. It could also be just push fit. The vial of this type of level is usually fixed inside the tube with a white putty. It is a similar stuff to what you use when jointing plasterboard. I think it is called "plaster of paris". The stuff will get soft in water, meaning you just soak the old barrel overnight in water, and next day you can push out a moist plug from the barrel containing the broken old glassware.

Chris.
yes the end caps is exactly what i want to know how to undo them. when I try to twist the two end with two pliers on each side they don't seem to move but some pressure of the twist cause some more glass of the old Vial to broke at this point i stop .
cheers
Peter

pete id put one end in the vise with soft jaws them twist with a spanner.
did you try some penetrating spray a little heat.

Originally Posted by azzrock

pete id put one end in the vise with soft jaws them twist with a spanner.
did you try some penetrating spray a little heat.

i will try that .
Peter

I have a Rabone 12" level (with a broken vial).

The end caps are push fit - there is some straight knurling on the plugs.

I also have a Starrett vial holder that I picked up at a garage sale a while back. It is about 4" overall length. Again, the ends are push-fit. Push-fit is about 1/2".

As CBA says, the actual vial is held in place by plaster-of-paris.

Care to share your source of vials?

Cheers,

Findlay.

Originally Posted by MacPuddock

I have a Rabone 12" level (with a broken vial).

The end caps are push fit - there is some straight knurling on the plugs.

I also have a Starrett vial holder that I picked up at a garage sale a while back. It is about 4" overall length. Again, the ends are push-fit. Push-fit is about 1/2".

As CBA says, the actual vial is held in place by plaster-of-paris.

Care to share your source of vials?

Cheers,

Findlay.

Hi Findlay.
thanks. the Vial i brought from a private seller , he have a few more of different size level and all for Starrett . i will ak him for you if you let me know which size you after.
Peter

I'm pretty sure I've seen a detailed write up on changing those vials on Practical Machinist. Including the putty that Chris mentioned. It would have been 2 - 3 years back. A search might turn some thing up. Me, I've never been a fan of those Starretts. All my levels are Euro.

Regards Phil.

Originally Posted by Machtool

I'm pretty sure I've seen a detailed write up on changing those vials on Practical Machinist. Including the putty that Chris mentioned. It would have been 2 - 3 years back. A search might turn some thing up. Me, I've never been a fan of those Starretts. All my levels are Euro.

Regards Phil.

hi Phil.
i did the search and didn't see anything's. i have stuff from starrett send me the instruction but they don't mention how to undo the end caps.

Peter

Here's a PM topic with other links as well.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...repair-201873/

Nev.

Originally Posted by SurfinNev

Here's a PM topic with other links as well.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...repair-201873/

Nev.

Thanks Nev.
that was helpful link
peter

Originally Posted by Machtool

Me, I've never been a fan of those Starretts. All my levels are Euro.

Care to elaborate Phil? What don't you like about them?