MetalworkingFun Forum

One of the oil sight glasses on my lathe is dark and hard to see the level. Has anyone ever replaced one? Do they screw out? How can I get it out? After I get it out, what is a good source for a replacement?
Thanks Mike

I've no idea what kind of lathe you have but you can find some replacements here:  http://www.mcmaster.com/#bull%27s-eye-sights/=vsb88i


My lathe didn't come with a sight glass on the carriage from the factory, so I just drilled and tapped a hole and screwed in one of the high-visibility glass sights from McMaster.

My lathe is a Harrison M300.   From the inside you can't see the sight glass, it is below the spindle you can see it in the picture, not that it helps much.

This place has the best selection that I've found. I bought replacements for my mill from them.

http://www.jwwinco.com/products/section12/index.html

Ed

I doubt that you will need to replace it, but you will need to get it out. Varnish building up on the glass from the non-detergent oil is what made it dark. If you can get the sight glass off, all you need is a little alcohol to clean it.

Tom

The JW Winco company treated me so well that I'd recommend them for anything they sell!

I needed a tabbed and keyed bearing lock washer for the cross slide screw on my lathe, they sent me two for free even though I'd never done business with them before. How cool is that?

Can't beat that Ken. If I buy one I'll check them out.

My current problem is to figure out if the sight glass is pressed in or threaded in.