Received my new fuel guage today from Bob Coiro. Thank you so much Bob, you did a great job on it. I'm making a 1/4" pvc tube to store it in under the seat. Thanks again Bob, hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas, Rick
PS...I'll try not to put my eye out with it
Bob
Recieved the new fuel gauge today.
Nice design! ...and a very thoughtful gift.
Thanks, and Best wishes for the Holidays!
Floyd
Bob
Your generosity is simply wonderful; nicely made and the instructions were also greatly appreciated.
Have a Happy Christmas and thank you!
Got mine too Bob.
One to use and one to experiment with (screw up) while I try to figure out a way to make it store under the cowl lid, like we talked about.
I may have to accidentally "use" it while I'm in the process of ruining it but in these days where there is a lawyer under every rock, you were wise to include the "disclaimer".
About the only suggestion I could have made would be that if you had made them out of 1" plastic I might be able to read it without having to find my "old fart's" reading glasses.
Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas.
Bob...
Dennis, Your post made me go back and look at the shipping envelope, didn't even think about instructions...automatically thought I knew how to use it! Good thing I did but now I have a problem........
"Wear protective goggles and ear protection at all times" .......
My wife insists I take them off when going to bed.
Will my dipstick still work?
Bob,
Just received the early Christmas present.
Thank you very much. What a neat and helpful tool.
So much better than the smelly old wooden dipstick.
Thanks again it will be used well and often.
Larry
OK guys, for those of us not in the know could one of you post a picture or explanation of what this "special" fuel gauge is like?
Thanks
Until Bob chimes in here, I'll have a go at it.
Bob's an ol airplane pilot. On some private aircraft the pilots "stick" the tanks much like we do. They have clear plastic "straws" with the gallons marked on them. You put it in the tank, put your thumb over the end, lift it up and you can see how many gallons are in it.
Well Bob, being the kind of guy he is, decided to make some of these things in an effort to say thanks for the year or so of questions he asked and the kind replies he got before he bought his beautiful 1915 T and give them away for Christmas. When you take into account all the different tank styles, he put quite a bit of work and $$ into this project over the last few months.
I don't know how many or even if he has any left.
I'm sure he'll get around to reading this in the next day or so.
DJH
Thank you Bob!!!!! Mine arived today as well; they're great! I can tell you must have invested quite a bit of time making all of these... simplicity at it's best, and accurate!
Merry Christmas
Gary London
I just e-mailed Bob and told him his "fans" are waiting to thank him.
Would somebody post a photo of this gauge?
Thanks for the good reviews and kind words, Gang. I wish I could take the credit for this thing, but a gentleman by the name of Archimedes discovered the principle a few thousand years ago.
Floyd, the dipstick will indeed work without safety goggles and ear protection as long as you're wearing a full hazmat suit and pressurized respirator. And of course, those come with matching bathrobe and slippers.
Steve and James, below are a couple of photos of the dipstick, showing how it's used. Dennis did a good, clear job of explaining how it works. I think I have enough tubing left over to make a couple more for you two gents, if you're interested. Send me a private message with the type of tank you have in your Model T (round, oval, rectangular or 1926/27 cowl-mounted) and I'll mail em off to you. They'll probably arrive after Christmas, though.
Bob
Hello Bob,
Received my gauge tube yesterday, great work Thanks a bunch!
What I really like about it is you can tell whether you have regular or Ethel in the tank
Bob, I'm going to leave well enough alone when it comes to figuring out a way to store this fuel level indicator under my cowl lid like In did with my short stick with the chain on it.
What I am going to do with the experimental tube though, is to see if I can find some fuel proof paint and wipe it into the markings, thus turning the markings from white to black, for the visually impaired, like me. Something like this.
Word to the wise, these things are fragile, don't put a side load on them. Thanks for sending me 2 of em Bob, I think I'll just quit screwing around with it, while I'm ahead.
Dennis,
I have an original style, thick straw mat on the rear passenger floor and there's just enough space next to it for me to tuck the dipstick between the mat and the side of the footwell. It probably won't get hot there, but I still take a deep breath and blow the gasoline droplets out of the tube before putting it back in the car.
I'm going to try to get a hold of some thicker-walled plexiglas tubing for durability and legibility. The stuff seems to be hard to come by, but once I find a mail-order source, the problem will be solved. Meanwhile, some of the dipsticks have arrived broken, so if that happened to anybody else, please let me know so I can send a replacement.
Bob
Bob,
I received mine in the mail today in perfect condition.
Thank you and have a Merry Christmas,
Orlando
Bob,
Received mine here in rural Virginia today. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas.
Lewis R. Rash
1926 Tudor
BOB: I REC'D MY GAS GUAGE TODAY IN THE MAIL IN ppppeeeerrrreeeccctttt cONDITION,Now how do we pay you, by cash, debit, credit card, model t parts, food stamps, or some kind of I O U or just one heck of a thank you. Mine was $1.39 to cloudy cold and dreary Northen California.
Thank you again.
BILL D
Bob:
My gas guages arrived today! Thank you so much!
Unfortunately, the one for the oval tank arrived broken in three pieces, courtesy of the USPS, and we tried to glue it, but apparently, a special type glue is necessary as "Super glue" just won't work.
I have to say, this is about the nicest gesture I've ever experienced in regard to the forum when you consider the time, trouble and expense you've gone to to do this for us Bob.
Please don't worry about replacing the broken one until you have fine tuned your product to the final design, and then allow me to PURCHASE them at whatever the going price will be. I think these are a great idea and I'm sure a lot of the guys in my local Chapter of the club will think so too.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours Bob, and thank you once again for the gift,......harold
ppppppeeeeerrrrffffeeeccccttt CONDITION
Keyboard problem or finger problem
I just wanted to point out that by it's nature, and the necessity for it to be petrochemical proof, this plastic has the properties of glass, and thus, any imperfections in the surface (such as the markings), will create weak points. used carefully, they will work just fine.
Bob, I "super glued" the one I broke back together, it seems to be fine. Did you mean to send me 2 more of them? I just got them in the mail today. So I've got 2 'spares' that I can send to others or give to other local T owners with cowl tanks.
Harold,
Yeah, some of the dipsticks have been arriving broken. Odds were that had to happen a few times. I'm going to try to produce a more durable version and replace those that didn't hold up as soon as possible.
Dennis,
I got a little confused and when I couldn't remember whether I sent to a particular address, I played it safe and sent another envelope. Sometimes the hamster falls asleep on the little wheel in my head.
Bob
While reading this thread mine arrived safe and sound. Thank You Bob very much. Merry Christmas to you and your family from ours.
OK, well I've got 2 spares. So the first 2 guys that got broken ones and e-mail me at oldfordfan@verizon.net with a return address, will get a free replacement.
I'll go to the UPS store and see if there is a more protective package I can mail them in.
Consider them a New Years present, cause you won't get them before Christmas.
Thank you Bob! Mine arrived safe and sound and it really brightened up my day. Thank you for spreading so much joy to our community this year. Like Harold shared above – let us know when the “new improved versions” become available and let us know if we can purchase them. Merry Christmas and God Bless,
Hap
Thank you Bob! Mine arrived safe and sound and it really brightened up my day. Thank you for spreading so much joy to our community this year. Like Harold shared above – let us know when the “new improved versions” become available and let us know if we can purchase them.
Merry Christmas and God Bless,
Hap
Thanks Bob!!
Just got mine. Great idea.
Maybe I'll get to thank Archimedes in person one of these days. (I'm grasping at straws here because everything has pretty much already been said!!!)
You added some brightness to an already bright season.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Keep those Jugs flying!
Bob & Joan Gruber
Thanks Bob! Mine arrived in todays mail. I like the warrantee that came with it. " It won't rip, rattle, run down the side or get soggy in warm weather...it slices, it dices, it makes Julian fries and boy can it catch fish!"
Merry Christmas!
John & Theresa Haynes
Got home from work and found mine in the mailbox. Can't wait to try it out Bob. Thanks a lot and have a blessed Christmas.
Erich
Bob, You mentioned that you want to find some thicker walled tubing for durability. What are the specs that you would want. I deal with some plastics suppliers in my business and might be able to find something that would work for this project. I imagine that the ID would be the most important spec other than being impervious to gasoline (and ethanol).
Steve
Steve, this experience has taught me a couple of things by trial and error:
1.) The viscosity and weight of gasoline are such that the inside diameter of the dipsticks can't exceed 1/8" by very much, else the suction in the tube wouldn't be sufficient to hold the column of gasoline up against gravity (I tried a tube with a larger ID and it didn't work).
2.) I've been using an extruded plexiglas tube with a wall thickness of 1/16", bringing the overall thickness of the tube to 1/4", which is good for light transmission, but turns out to be a bit fragile when sent through the mail.
If I were planning to market this thing (which I'm not), I'd increase the wall thickness from 1/16" to 1/8", bringing the overall thickness to 3/8", which would be much more durable. That would also allow for larger, more legible numerals, but I don't yet know whether thicker walls would make it too difficult to see the 1/8" column of clear gasoline inside.
A handful of the dipsticks broke in transit, so I'll need to replace them. As I'm out of tubing, I might as well order the thicker stock (with the same ID), assuming it can be gotten from the same supplier. If not, I'll be taking you up on your kind offer.
Bob
Thanks Bob I got mine today, you are a Model T Santa. My oval tank guage came broken in the package though. if you don't have time make a replace its ok. Thank you for what you have done.
Tim,
For you and anyone else who finds a broken dipstick in the mail, I'm planning to make and send you a more durable replacement.
Bob
I made an offer earlier to cover 2 of the broken sticks (for the cowl tank) with the extras you sent me but as yet, I've had no takers.
I have to go to the UPS store in the morning. The wife needs a box to mail a dozen coat hangers to her daughter. (I know, I can't explain it either?).
I'll check and see if they have some sort of a tube shaped box, they will safely ship in.
Send me an e-mail if any of the broken sticks were for cowl tanks and I'll ship em back to you.
Will do, Dennis. Thanks.
Bob-I received my dipstick yesterday, Thank You.
Works great, but the numbers are hard to read with the one eye that is not yet poked out. I held it close to an open flame to better read it in my dark garage. I can't wait to start building my replacement garage in the spring. Should have found most of my scattered T parts by then.
Lawyers.........so silly, Thanks again Bob.
The truth is, you did a fine thing and demonstrated generosity beyond the average. Bravo and Merry Christmas.
Erich
Thanks Bob, I received mine yesterday. All in one piece. You did a great job. again Thanks
Don
Thanks a bunch Bob. I received mine yesterday. You must have really steady hands to do the fine inscription work on the tube. Merry Christmas
Bob. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. Your super gift arrived Monday in perfect shape. It seems your gift to T'er's has touched far and near as if you put them in a Santa sleigh. Thanks. Dave.
Bob
I received mine yesterday. Was surprised to receive two. What a deal! Ask for one, get two and both for free and both in one piece not broken.
Thanks so much!
Tom
Bob,
Just received mine. It was still in one piece even though the package was in pretty rough condition and was roughly cramed into my mail box. I can now see how some of them did not make it in one piece. The Postal Service is pretty rough on them.
You went to a great deal of trouble to make all of these. It is greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.
Ronald
Thanks Bob
My "Round Tank" gage arrived today and I rushed out to the T (without reading the instructions caus I'm a man and I don't need them) to measure the gas level.
I stuck the tube in the tank and when I brought it out there was no gas on it.
Horrors -- I was out of gas.
It snowed this morning but I couldn't let the T sit dry so I cleaned the driveway, jacked up the rear wheel, removed the garage door header because the T is too tall for the door and put a string of Christmas lights on the back.
Then I turned on the gas - gave the crank a few quick priming pulls and turned on the upside down key.
I gave me a free start at 32 F!!
Then I was off to the gas station.
I pumped some gas into the tank and tried the gage again.
It was still empty!
By then a bunch of folks were standing around and a bratty little know-it-all kid said,
“Why don’t you put your finger on the end so the gas doesn’t run out?”
It worked!
Then I proceeded to show everyone my cranking skills.
I pulled out the choke and gave it two quick pulls, turned on the key, and it started with a ¼ turn.
Then I almost switched it to the mag but didn’t get beyond OFF.
The T insists on making me look stupid!
I retarded the spark and when I turned the key to battery and it gave me another free start!
I quickly told the folks that I turned it off on purpose so I could demonstrate the special skill of starting a T with out a crank that an old guy taught me years ago.
I don't think the kid believed me!
When I got home my wife read the instructions to me (I never read instructions cause they are for sissies and "Men From Main".)
and learned that I neglected to use safety glasses and ear protectors.
The only question I have is;
Can I take my finger off the end of the tube now?
Sorry about the confusion, Fred. Not reading the directions is a time-honored tradition among the kind of alpha-males who pack their own bearings, peel tires off rims with bare hands and a pair of spoons, and physically wrestle their bone-breaking engines to life. It's a glorious thing!
One of the things I should have mentioned in the instructions that alpha-males won't read is that it's probably safer not to withdraw the tube all the way out of the tank to read it. That's because when it's full of gas, your thumb could accidentally slip and let a squirt of fuel hit the hot exhaust pipe while the fuel tank is open--not a good thing.
Okay, I realize that's kind of a common sense thing and most Model T drivers are real careful not to splash gas at the service station, but I guess it couldn't hurt to mention it.
Bob
Bob -- No Apology needed -- Please refer to happy faces in my previous post.
I am familiar with things such as surface tension, columns of liquid, and vacuum so the use of the tube was second nature.
In fact I use a pipette in our Solar processing Lab a few times each week when I’m not traveling.
I’m just wondering if you took into account the specific gravity of gasoline when putting the calibration marks on the tube
and if I am supposed to use the bottom or top of the meniscus when determining the amount of gasoline in the tank.
Do I compensate for temperature, humidity or atmospheric pressure?
I almost forgot -- you carefully chose the tube ID so it is self compensating!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Thanks again!
PS Can I take my finger off the tube now?
I contacted Bob and told him that my Oval Coiro / Tiffany & Company looking dip stick arrived broken. Bob saddled up and reshipped me a replacement that very same day. It arrived (marked fragile) in perfect condition.
Again Bob, thank you
*MERRY CHRISTMAS*
Harvey .....
Bob
I received my fuel guage for the cowl tank today. Thank you very much.Hope you and your family have A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Thanks again.
Jim Bowery Wellsburg, WV
In our high school science lab, we just made a small mark on the glass tubes and tappped them for a clean break all the way around. Looks like that mark will work for plastic too.
Bob,
Thanks, your are a very generous man. Mine arrived broken also, and you already said you will replace it. Thank You! & Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
John
Bob- I received one whole and one broken today. What a great idea!! Merry Christmas and Thanks, Jim
Here is a Lexan tube source - break resistant.
http://www.interstateplastics.com/Clear-Polycarbonate-Tube-POLCE.php?sku=POLCE&v id=201012241926-1p&qty=1&thickness=0.125&dim2=&dim3=1
J.O.
Thanks Bob.
I received my dipstick, all in one piece, job well done. All the best in the New Year.
To Harold Shwendeman:
One of mine was boken and I tried Super Glue. Now that I think about it maybe two part epoxy might work. This is thought , place the tube in a vice "gently" and the broken ends lined up, now take a greased insulated wire and insert in the tube, scratch or buff the tube, mix a tiny amount of two part epoxy and put it on the broken tube, allow to harden, turn over and do the same. Granted it is a lot of work but it is worth a try. You may want to try it on the four sides of the tube,just a trial and error.
bill d
Some of the dipsticks arrived broken. I think that may have something to do with the Christmas rush. If that happened to you, I'll be happy to make you another one. Just send me an private message with the following two pieces of information:
1.) The type of tank you have (round, oval, rectangular or cowl-mounted)
2.) Your shipping address
Bob
I just learned that if I suck on the tube I can increase the amount of fuel in the tank.
But if I suck too hard it tastes a bit like that juice we used to get in the backwoods of KY!
Thanks again Bob and happy holidays!
Harold and Bill:
I used PC7 which is a two part epoxy that I use for restoring cracked steering wheels.
It's pretty thick and can be smeared all around after a little sanding and inserting a welding rod.
It's thick enough that it doesn't migrate inside.
I didn't get in on the original but if you ever decide to make more I sure would be interested.
My pleasure, George. See instructions above.
Bob
I got a chance to check mine out on Christmas day, works great. The magic marker paint job I did on the numbers and lines (on the stick I didn't break), is holding up for now.
Remember,I've got those 2 spare cowl tank sticks if you need them.
How's the weather up there on "Long Island"? We're not supposed to be freezin our Butt's off down here in South Florida. It's 30 f*^#in degrees outside!
Bob, Are you scratching the marks and numbers into the plastic? The comment above about rubbing paint or ink into the marks makes me think that. If so, then I'm sure that is creating a weak spot where it would break. That matches with a picture above of a broken one. If you are going to make a bunch more of these then maybe you could get some long skinny decals to stick onto the outside rather than scratching it in. Of course there would be the issue of finding a decal that would stick and not dissolve in the gasoline. Just a thought.
Dennis,
I have at least two guys with busted cowl tank dipsticks so yeah, we can send them your spares. The weather here is about 20 degrees and we got hit with about two feet of snow on Sunday.
Steve,
The dipsticks are durable enough for ordinary use, assuming they arrive in one piece. The breakage seems to be taking place during shipping. I suppose I could figure out a different way to put the markings on, but that'd be a good deal more difficult than simply replacing the broken units. Right now, it looks like I have to replace ten out of eighty and Dennis has two spares. Not too bad.
Bob
OK Bob, instead of doing double shipping, e-mail me their addresses and I'll take care of the whole thing from my end, right after the 1st of the year.
Good idea, Dennis. Thanks.
Bob
Bob, your fuel dipstick arrived this morning, but unfortunately it was broken.
Would you please send me your address so that I can re-imburse you the cost of shipping?
Thanks again and have a Happy New Year!
Regards,
Steve Boothroyd
Bob, Thanks for the dipstick - its great! .. Its nice to know we still have good people in the world..
Have a Happy New Year!
Bg
Bob,
Thank you for the dipstick, mine was broken as well. I hate for you to go to the trouble and expense to send another. Really neat accessory... watch your mail, I sent out a Ford goody bag to you today. Hope the mail can get to you in all that snow...
Happy New Year!
Bob
Sorry about all the broken dipsticks, gang. If your dipstick broke, please send me a private message with the following two pieces of information:
1.) The type of tank you have (round, oval, rectangular or cowl-mounted)
2.) Your shipping address
... and it'll be my pleasure to send you another dipstick.
Bob
Hey Bob,
Forgot to thank you, and just found the thread again. Mind arrived in perfect condition. You are a real sport for doing this. Happy New Year!
John
The only thing the area postage workers haven't broken around here were some trim pieces sent to me in pvc pipe. Maybe you guys could chip in and provide Bob with some appropriate diameter pipe.