I purchased a Stanley #36 cast iron level (G model I think) at an estate sale not long ago. I love the weight and feel of it, so I wanted to replace the broken horizontal vial. Vials I found, but, I havent found a way to free the old vial from the brass sleeve. Anyone with experience with this??
Brent
Replies
Dear friend,
On an old level, the vial was held with a mastic or putty paste.
If it's broken already, maybe jus chip the pieces out and put the new vial with some sealant caulk which you can adjust and leave to set overnight when you are sure it's level OK.
Some vials may have white paint at the bottom so as to enhance visibility. This one fixed here had that. It was made out of glass, and the paint was faded. So re-painted it and it made a good difference.
Over the putty suppor, this one had some covers held with screws, but they did not actually hold the vial. They held the putty in place, though.
Looks like old levels used this putty system due to glass being sensitive to breakage.
-mbl-
MBL, I applied for work a few years ago at a company that makes mason's levels for professionals. They still use putty to set the vials and adjust them individually.
Michael R
Heat up the metal around the vial with a propane torch, then tap it out with a hammer and old cup drill.
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