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Discussion of diving methods and equipment available prior to the development of BCDs beyond the horse collar. This forum is dedicated to the pre-1970 diving.
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SurfLung
Master Diver
Posts: 1763
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:03 pm
First Name: Eben
Location: Alexandria, MN
Contact: Website

Capillary Depth Gauge Repair

Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:42 pm

Image
- The capillary depth gauge on this pressure gauge had dried up, discolored, and shrunk. Thinking it was just tubing I could buy locally, I pretty much wrecked the old tube trying to get the plug out. I finally found the correct sized tubing online thru U.S. Plastic. It's 5/32" Outside diameter and 3/32" inside diameter... Fits in the groove perfectly. I made a new plug by mixing JB Weld and then sucking a little into the end like a straw. It SHOULD work as well as the original. These things were never all that easy to read but I'm at least glad to restore the appearance. The pressure gauge works perfectly.
SurfLung
The Freedom and Simplicity of Vintage Equipment and
Vintage Diving Technique are Why I Got Back Into Diving.

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Herman
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Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:45 pm
Location: Raleigh NC

Re: Capillary Depth Gauge Repair

Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:32 pm

I have restored a lot of them. I get the tubing from McMaster, same size.
To plug the end, I use Aquaseal, squeese out a drop and suck it up into the tube about 1/8 inch. The key to making them work well is to get the ends of the tubing as close together and square as possible. If you have more than a very slight crack between the ends, it allows air bubble(s) to travel up the tube.
Herman

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SurfLung
Master Diver
Posts: 1763
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:03 pm
First Name: Eben
Location: Alexandria, MN
Contact: Website

Re: Capillary Depth Gauge Repair

Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:59 am

Thanks for the tip... Good thing I bought lots of tubing. I remember getting bubbles in it way back when I had a new wrist version in '72. I used to suck them out. On this one I got the ends touching but I cut a little V on the left tube end thinking to let the water in that way. I probably got too big of a hole...
SurfLung
The Freedom and Simplicity of Vintage Equipment and
Vintage Diving Technique are Why I Got Back Into Diving.

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