Steamer site glass replacement

Jewelry Discussion
1

Has anyone any idea of how/where to order one of the glass tube site
glass for old ( 20 yrs) steamer. Is it something that I can do my
self? I used to have a company near by service it about every other
year and it would cost $150.00 minimum. It’s leaking steam from the
end, other than this it’s working fine.

Jim Mannella
www.uniqueandprecious.com

2

Jim, all you need is the rubber seals. You can get them at a plumbing
supply place. Just take the glass tube, or the diameter to the supply
house. Hope this helps. Harold

3

Have you tried tightening the screws at the top? My steamer was
leaking steam from the top screws, my husband (tool maintance guy for
me) also used some (plumbers tape?) to seal between the nuts. Anyway
it works fine now, no leaks. If it doesn’t work, you could probably get
a new glass piece from your local jewellers supply house.

Tara from Beautiful British Columbia

4

You can probably get the parts trhougha parts supplier for steam
boilers. I think the nuts and washers are pretty standard, also the
glass sight glass. There is a little cutter shaped like a W that you
can use to trim the glass to the proper length. Check in the phone
book for boiler suppliers in your area or try looking at industrial
suppliers like W.W. Grainger.

Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a galss cutter tool for your jewelry projects? We recommend:

5

Steamer Glass, My guess is that the rubber gaskets are leaking. The
glass may need replaced also but the gaskets generally last me no more
than 6 to 9 months. The gaskets should be universally available from
supply houses. The glass may or may not be available in the correct
length. I bought a 4 foot section from a chemical supply house
several years ago & have been cutting my own replacements. (Make sure
it is a heat resistant thick wall glass intended for the pressure if
you make your own!)

Mark Chapman

6

Jim Try to contact the manufacturer, I replace the site tube about
once a year. We use ours for both jewelry cleaning and clock
movements,gears. the glass gets etched on the ends and that is where
it leaks from. If you know the outside and inside diameter of the
tube and length the are a pretty standard supply.

Our steamer is a Reimers (sp) in the US and I can get there number if
you need it. Barbara McLaughlin @Barbara_McLaughlin
www.taylorriverjewelrydesign.com

7 
Has anyone any idea of how/where to order one of the glass tube
site glass for old ( 20 yrs) steamer. Is it something that I can do
my self?

Hi Jim, If you know the manufacturer of the steamer, we might be able
to help. We might be able to help even if you don’t know the
manufacturer of the steamer. :slight_smile:

Give me a call at 1-800-544-2043, ext 287 or email me at
elaineec@aol.com. Let me know steamer manufacturer and model
number/serial number of steamer if you have it. If you don’t, please
measure the length of the tube that is showing (you don’t have to
take it apart) as well as the diameter.

Best Regards,
Elaine Corwin
www.gesswein.com
Gesswein Co. Inc. USA
Bridgeport, CT 06605

8

Hi Jim; You shouldn’t have to pay that much for a site tube. I can’t
remember what I pay for them, but it’s under $40 including the rubber
washers (which you must replace, as these are usually the problem
anyway). Frei & Borel probably has them, since they carry a lot of
parts for steamers, listed in their catalog. You might want to order
the brass pressure washers too (inexpensive too), since when there’s a
leak, it usually abraids along it’s path, cutting grooves in brass,
glass, and all. My F&B catalog isn’t handy, but they’ll show up on a
web search. By the way, if your old tube turns out to be okay, and
it’s only the washers that were the problem, put in the new one and
keep the old one handy for a backup.

David L. Huffman

9

Hi Jim, We can supply you with the glass and washers. All we need from
you is the size of the glass and we can cut it to fit. If you can’t
get the size let us know the brand and model and we can get it to
you. The glass runs $13.50 and the washer sets are $4.00. The washer
set includes 2 rubber washers and 2 brass friction washers.

Replacing the glass is definitely something you can do. Just loosen
the top and bottom brass nuts. Then lift the glass and pull the
bottom out then the top should come out as well. To put the new one
in is just the reverse. Be sure the brass friction washers are
between the rubber washer and the brass nut.

You can reach us by email or by toll free phone 1-877-262-2185.

Thanks,
Ken Kotoski

10

Hello Jim Mannella, In reply to your question…

 Has anyone any idea of how/where to order one of the glass tube
site glass for old ( 20 yrs) steamer. Is it something that I can do
my self? I used to have a company near by service it about every
other year and it would cost $150.00 minimum. It's leaking steam
from the end, other than this it's working fine.

You can get sight tubes and rubber “o” ring seals at most plumbing
supply stores that carry home heating system, parts and supplies. I
have replaced mine 2 times in the past 5 years for about $15 including
the glass and seals… It takes about 10 minutes to do your self.

Daniel Grandi casting, finishing,in gold, silver, pure
silver,brass/bronze and pewter. we also do cnc model work from
supplied art work. Contact : slaes@racecarjewelry.com

11

Jim, You may be able to order the tube from the company or a jewelery
supply catalog depending on the steamer make.I have steamasters and
have ordered the tube directly from the company along with other
componants.Regards J Morley Coyote Ridge Studio

12

I have purchesed the tube from Romanoff, Gewisswine, Rosentaugh, most
supply houses will have this tube you need the model number and
lenght the tube of you also need two rubber gaskets, NOTE! when
removeing the old tube and gaskets DO NOT LOOSE THE STEEL WASHERS FOR
THEY KEEP THE PACKING NUT FROM GRABING THE GASKET also use anti-sease
on the packing nut and gasket when reasembling (anti-sease can be
bought at the auto parts store) clean the old parts well use wire
brush.

JB

13

Tightening the bolts should be the first step in correcting a leaky
steamer. Just be patient. Try a quarter turn than turn the steamer
on. If this doesn’t work always remember to turn the steamer off and
allow it to cool completely!!! Then and only then try another quarter
turn and so on. As a young apprentice a couple of us were horsing
around with a snowball in the shop when our manager told us to stop.
I decided to toss the snowball into the sink from about twenty feet
away. My aim was off and I nailed the Steammaster directly on the
sight tube, instantly shattering it. Glass and steam flew in all
directions through the shop. Luckily no one was near the machine and
no one was injured. We all learned a couple of very important lessons.
One was to respect the pressure of any steam machine and the other
was to always keep a backup tube handy. I personally learned some
choice words in Japanese from my boss and mentor Masaru Maeno.

John Sholl

14

Hi Jim, The sight glass used in steamers is a standard item that’s
been used on steam boilers for over 100 years. Look in your Yellow
pages under Boilers, Plumbers, or Labratory Suppliers. Anyone or all
of them may have it, probably less expensive than any jewelery
supplier.

Dave