Old Mercury Thermometers - recycled

Over many years trading we have acquired a number of old thermometers kept mostly for our own workshop to sort through when needing one for restoration. Now we have measured these and offer them for sale at much lower price than when we could have had them made when that was possible. We can only deliver in the UK so no overseas sales due to restrictions on mercury by air.

If you have a requirement for a replacement mercury filled thermometer then there is a very slim chance we have one - we also have ones for more standard barometers made before the new mercury thermometer ban in 2007 which we are still allowed to sell whilst stocks last. So if you have a need for one best to contact us on the contact form on our web site front page and we will reply normally within a few days with some questions (Tuesdays to Fridays)

For those customers wishing to check our old re-cycled list of mercury thermometers then click on this LINK to take you to an Excel spreadsheet of the measurement if you can open it.

EXPLAINATION OF MEASUREMENTS

Thermometers are not so straight forward to replace as many customers first think, lengthis only one measurement which does not mean it will work or fit. . Firstly there are many different expansions - we measure this by calculating what the measurement is of 100 degrees F if you need to use Centigrade then a 100F is equivalent to 37.78 C

1 Measure what 100F is on your scale, that can be any where that is 100F in length not necessarily 0 -100 but could be say 40 to 140F (or equivalent in C) that will be the expansion rate needed on your scale to find a thermometer for.

2 Look at the list we offer and see if any have a matching or close expansion rate - we suggest no more than 10% error may be acceptable.

3 Then measure the length you need from where the top of the thermometer needs to be on the scale to the degrees F as stated on the list - these vary on our list as they were tested in a workshop at different times/temperatures

4 Check the diameter of loops that are needed although new loops can be made of course if needed as compare with the capillary size of the tube, smaller tubes can be packed oftne but larger tubes than loops will not fit.

5 Measure the overall length required

6 Check if a round bulb needed or a cylinder bulb - we also some times have Flat Bulbs but seldom any spiral bulbs.

7 Measure the bulb size needed, many old scale have cut outs to fit the bulb into so this is critical if wanting to use on a good thermometer scale.

8 Check the size of the bulb against the size of capillary tube , e.g. if the bulb is say 60mm x 8mm and the capillary is 5mm then the bulb will not sit flat on a scale but must have a cut out in the scale to sit into or it will not fit or you will break the tube screwing the loops on! -

There is also different types of capillary tubes - clear glass (has round very thin bore), clear glass with flat bore, white backed glass (has round very thin bore) , white backed glass with flat bore, prism (triangular) glass that magnifies the line of mercury on more modern items.

Old thermometers were made from clear glass, spirit tubes can be as old as mercury tubes. White backed glass was more general from 1870 onwards.

Prices on application with contact detaisl address etc - use our contact form on the front page of our website.