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Post by Atomic Addiction on Apr 1, 2010 2:01:26 GMT -5
Today was a bad day...First... Vintage Trailer Supply is carrying a new product... Trail-Lite Rebuild Kit
www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Trail_Lite_Rebuild_Kit_p/vts-803.htm
This kit includes most of the small parts you need to refurbish your 1950s Bargman Trail-Lite license light.
Kit includes:
bulb socket with single pigtail
bulb
custom gaskets for both ends of glass lens
two stainless cover screws
Kit does not include:
main casting
clear glass lens
outer cap (red lens version sold separately)
license bracket (sold separately)Awesome huh? Even has a decent price for $9.99. What is the bad part? The kit does not include the clear glass cylinder lens. Today while messing around with my Trail-Lite and trying out the new red glass outer cap lens the clear glass lens fell off the table and shattered. The lens was cracked but I was going to use it anyway with a cleaning and some epoxy to help that crack stay together. Not now. Does anyone know where to get something that can act as the clear lens for the Trail-Light? There has to be some cylinder shaped object that can be modified to work. It could be either glass tube or plastic. I looked through our spice cabinet looking for some container that could be cut to work. Nothing. I'm sure I may be able to find something that works somewhere. I just figure that someone else has solved this problem. |
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Post by tbkillen on Apr 1, 2010 23:11:52 GMT -5
I don't know if it would work or if you could cut the glass, but how about one of those glass test tubes in chemistry labs. They come in a lot of sizes.
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Apr 2, 2010 0:19:05 GMT -5
I actually thought about that.
Finding the perfect size would be the hard part. You would almost need a bunch in front of you and try them one by one.
Next time I go to walmart or something I am going to look around for something. There HAS to be something.
Someone tell me again why no one sells these?
Brian
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Post by tbkillen on Apr 2, 2010 22:42:49 GMT -5
You might try taking it with you to a local High School or Community College and ask the Chemistry teacher if you can take a look at test tubes to compare sizes. They come in a bunch of sizes. If there's one close, they could probably tell you the size. Of course, they'll probably look at you like your nuts too. I've gotten a lot of those looks since trying to find fixes and replacements restoring our trailer.
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Post by Red Dirt on Apr 12, 2010 23:38:21 GMT -5
Has anyone ever tried to cut pyrex? I think that the test tubes may shatter when the glass cutter scores them, maybe not. Sounds like a necessary experiment. In the Feb/Mar issue of ReadyMade, they made 4 oz drinking glasses out of mexican beer and soda bottles by cutting off the tops. They bought a glass cutting kit that had rollers in it and would score the bottle once, then roll the score across a candle flame, then roll an ice cube along the score, repeating the flame and ice until clink, it cracks. Then they sanded the raw edge with 200 grit. The same could be done with a test tube, or other tube of glass. As I also broke my license glass in much the same way as you, I am on the case.
Red Dirt
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Post by scs16mark on Apr 17, 2010 17:40:36 GMT -5
Oh man! That's a bummer! How come it's always those unobtainium bits that fall on the floor and shatter? But, it looks like it's "members to the rescue", and you've got some options Here's a couple more ideas... If you can determine the dimensions of the original glass from the pieces, or by the imprint left in the gaskets, you may find a pre-cut piece of borosilicate glass tubing from McMaster - Carr that may work. It gets used as sight glasses in any number of industrial applications, and is very durable. Here's the page from their online catalog: www.mcmaster.com/#glass-tubing/=6pcj0iIf you find one with the right diameter, but needs to be cut to the right length, they've also sell some affordable tubing cutters. Here's one of those. www.mcmaster.com/#glass-tube-cutters/=Has somebody out there got a good lens that they can measure and post the dimensions? Maybe add it, (and a source for a replacement when you find one) to the knowledge base? Mark |
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joek
250 Post Member
Inside Out
Posts: 324
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Post by joek on Apr 17, 2010 19:21:47 GMT -5
Has somebody out there got a good lens that they can measure and post the dimensions? Outside diameter: 1.460, length: 1.225, glass thickness .550 |
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Post by scs16mark on Apr 17, 2010 20:00:49 GMT -5
Thanks Joe. Is the thickness really .550", or is it .055"? If there is just a little wiggle room on the OD, I think that this one would work: www.mcmaster.com/#glass-tubing/=6pfp2tIt's a little long, (1/8+/-") but for the price, I think I'd give it a try. Mark |
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Post by scs16mark on Apr 17, 2010 20:07:25 GMT -5
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Apr 18, 2010 2:28:18 GMT -5
If you can determine the dimensions of the original glass from the pieces, or by the imprint left in the gaskets, you may find a pre-cut piece of borosilicate glass tubing from McMaster - Carr that may work. It gets used as sight glasses in any number of industrial applications, and is very durable. Here's the page from their online catalog: www.mcmaster.com/#glass-tubing/=6pcj0iMark, I have had the thought of trying to find the right size glass tubing from online glass suppliers but not from McMaster. I have had McMaster in my favorites forever but never thought to look at their site for the tubing. Good find. My lens shattered into pieces so small that it wasn't even worth keeping so I appreciate the measurements. The thickness is real thin. I'm surprised many survive at all. I wouldn't mind buying a length of the right size tubing and investing in a cutting tool and cutting it up to make a bunch of them into lenses. Just have to find the right supplier with the right size tubes that won't cost a fortune... Brian |
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joek
250 Post Member
Inside Out
Posts: 324
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Post by joek on Apr 18, 2010 13:08:32 GMT -5
Oh yes. .055. What you don't think the glass is 1/2" thick? ;D Untempered glass can be shaved on a belt sander. Tempered can too, but to much less of a degree and there is a good likelyhood of breaking. I've seen shower glass door installers do it twice, once with success, once which produced a rather large pile of very small pieces of glass  I you could buy one a little shorter, you could stack a couple of gaskets on both ends to make up the difference. |
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Post by Bow_Tied on May 3, 2010 19:59:37 GMT -5
Dumb q of the day... what's a trail-lite?
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Post by Atomic Addiction on May 3, 2010 20:38:33 GMT -5
It is the Bargman lighted licence plate bracket...  We are talking about finding a replacement glass cylinder to replace the broken glass lens that shines down on the licence plate. Brian |
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lwebb
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by lwebb on Nov 10, 2010 18:26:03 GMT -5
Hey all, sorry I din't see this earlier. I hope this is OK to post this here. You may have solved your problem by now. If not I carry the glass cylinders for the Bargman Trail Light assembly. They are made of slightly heavier laboratory quality glass tubing. I am out of stock on the rebuild kits but do have the glass. They are $5.25 plus shipping. The image is of an older cylinder on the right and the newer one on the left. lanny webbbro@gmail.com Attachments:
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Post by tekirby on Jun 15, 2011 8:33:19 GMT -5
Hello Lanny do you still have the glass cylinders for the bargman trail light assembly? Please let me know how I could order one from you. Thanks, Tim
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jun 15, 2011 13:49:57 GMT -5
Tim-
Email him. He was very helpful for me on email.
Brian
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Post by tekirby on Jun 15, 2011 20:36:50 GMT -5
Hey Brian, thanks, is that the same as a personal message? Tim
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