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Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 9:02 pm
by Riviera Wish
Technically this is not a Chris Craft item however I am hopeful that one of the club members has experience with the Aqua Meter speedometer gauges. I have taken the gauge apart except for removal of the gauge needle. Would like to remove the needle so that the gauge face can be cleaned and possibly clear coated. looking for suggestions on how to remove the needle without doing damage to the gauge. I have tried penetrating oil on the center of the needle and pulling rather hard on the needle center with pliers; no luck. Photos attached. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 10:30 am
by Bilge Rat
If you Google clock hand and gear puller, you will find miniature pullers that might fit the center shaft of the gauge. Like a regular sized gear puller, the "arms" of the puller surround the needle and the center screw bears on the shaft. Amazon has a couple listed, the Mascot adjustable width one is the model I used back in the day of mechanical master clock repairs. Yeah I know, I just dated myself with that one. :roll:

Re: Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 10:34 am
by Riviera Wish
Thanks for that information. The next question is "how do I get the needle back on ?". Tap with a miniature hammer?

Re: Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 1:02 pm
by Ollon
It could be threaded. Try holding the shaft and turning the needle gently counter clockwise. I cleaned up some gauges once that were like that.

Re: Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 11:38 am
by Riviera Wish
That makes some sense. The clock hand pullers all seem to have a center drive pin that is larger than the hole in the center of the needle, i.e. they would not apply force to the shaft while pulling on the needle. The hole in the center of the needle appears to be about 5 to 10 thousandths of an inch in diameter. I'll try to unscrew the needle and report back. Thanks for that alternative suggestion.

Re: Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 4:49 pm
by Riviera Wish
While the needle may unscrew from the shaft I must admit that the small tool(s) necessary to do the job are not in my possession. Further as I looked at the gauge and the finesse required to do the job I 'chickened out'. I was afraid I would do damage to the gauge while attempting to remove the needle. Decided to go with a coat of WD-40 on the gauge face to brighten it up and be done with it. Appreciate you folks' suggestions.

Re: Aqua Meter (speedometer) Disassembly

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 7:24 pm
by Doug P
They are rather inexpensive on ebay