Copeland Sightglass Removal Tool

[icemeister]

There have been lots of threads concerning what tool is best to use for the removal/replacement of a Copeland sightglass. I thought I would add a pic of the one I made a while back using a standard 3/4" six point socket and a couple of pieces of copper tubing:

The removable copper inserts are to center the tool in the sightglass. I found that you need two sizes, depending on what type of sightglass you're working on. The current, one-piece style uses slightly larger 3/4"OD x 3/4"L piece and for the older ones I used a 5/8" coupling cut down to about 3/4" long. The socket was cut with a hack saw by hand, so while it's not the ing greatest machining job, it works quite well.

BTW, this works for E, K, L and 3A Copeland compressors.

(Yes, I need more practice getting my camera to focus on closeups...)

[SkullMonkey]

Very slick !

[y7turbo]

Looks good ice, I was planning on making one over the holiday weekend for Carlyle compressors. I just had a sightglass that was loose and leaking. I used a punch and a hammer to turn it and tighten it up.. Seemed to work ok, but I would like a real tool to do it properly.

[thermojohn]

Amazing.... Just today we found a 'K' model that blew its charge through the SG. Have the replacement part, but the 'tool' is unavailable. Was going to have to make one as well.

What's the deal? Copeland does not make the tool? Or is it just easier to fabricate it?

[icemeister]

I made this one out of both curiosity and necessity.

I had a 3-door Hussmann reach-in freezer go down due to a SG leak. The bottom-mounted compressor wouldn't slide out far enough for me to really see well, so the other "removal tools" I had weren't working very well at all.

I recalled a post from some years back about modifying a socket, so I went back to the shop and quickly cut this one up, using an old K-Body as a guide. I had already picked up the new SG kit at the supply house, so it was then I realized the difference between the old style and new style SG.

The centering pieces make this a lot easier to do...especially when you can't see.

[76olds]

Thanks for posting that.

[monkeyspanners]

I've had the same problem and made one out of an impact socket that was a good fit in the sightglass, like your copper is, then cut a slot in the socket and sliver soldered a piece of steel in to locate in the slots in the sg.

Got the correct torque setting from copelands but have lost the paper i wrote it on...

See a lot of these leak around ten year old, in fact found one leaking today!

[kamersoutdoor]

A must have!
I'll have to retire the chisel

[ascj]

Or off the shelf.....
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...ag+link+socket

[smurphy]

I bought the "tool" off this site in the junk yard, $20.

[icemeister]

I bought the "tool" off this site in the junk yard, $20.

Was it this one?

http://www.dentalequipmentparts.com/....php?prodID=94

Does it work?

The last job I used mine for was in such a tight space, I wouldn't have had enough room for it.

[itsiceman]

The self centering part of the contraption is sweet.
Beats the heck outta the washers and adjustable wrench I've used before
So is the only difference between the new and old style the centering copper piece?

I never remember much trouble with these things. You think POE is killing the old style?

[smurphy]

Was it this one?

http://www.dentalequipmentparts.com/....php?prodID=94

Does it work?

The last job I used mine for was in such a tight space, I wouldn't have had enough room for it.

No, My looks like a reverse socket for a 3/8 drive. I'll post a picture later. Funny thing is I haven't had to use it since I bought it.