I have an antique steam gauge well over 100 years old. I need to remove the bezel to clean the inside of the glass. It is threaded on. I tried Kroil to no avail. I have a flex heat strip around the threaded area and have heated it for several hours. Again to no avail. It seems that over the years oil has seeped into the threads and turned to varnish. Any suggestions? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck P.
More time? I always screw up the patience thing, and end up with broken bits that show me how I could have done it right with a bit more care.
Try WD-40. It isn't nearly as good as Kroil against rust, but it may have solvent properties that will work better in your situation. Give it a few days, it took 100 years to get stuck.
Will it take the heat from a torch without damage? I've removed some fabulously stuck things by gently heating with a torch then hitting it with WD40. BEWARE lots o' nasty smoke.
Karl
Large hose-clamp with a leather scrap between it and the bezel, same if necessary to grip the other end; get a pair of smaller hose-clamps close together at 90 degrees to the big one and tighten them to whatever bit of bar you decide to use as your persuader(s). That'll let you apply lots of torque with minimum worry about marking or distortion.
What materials are the parts you are trying to separate?
Ultrasonic cleaner, try water, alternate with kerosene. One or the other should attack the crud.
Wes
-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller
brass on brass about 6 inches in dia. with the glass face.
Thanks to all who replied. I am still working on it and will keep you all advised if I accomplish anything.
Chuck P.
Brass bezel and body, no problem. The glass crystal, however...
No, nice idea, but not here. Unless that glass is old-style Pyrex.
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