Source for gauge lens

[Scott]

I have a compass that has a lense from a flashlight. I installed it in 1985!
Flashlights are available in many different sizes, I bet there's one that will fit

[Mike S]

Here's what I found on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/392309471512
It should be arriving today or tomorrow by pony express, apparently, as I ordered it a while ago.
The bezel needs to be pried out of the gauge case and then you'll see another metal ring pressed inside the bezel holding the lens--on my U.S. gauge anyway.
It's gentle work but equally gentle cussing helped.
When the sun comes up I'll try to take a few photos.

I have a compass that has a lense from a flashlight. I installed it in 1985!
Flashlights are available in many different sizes, I bet there's one that will fit

Before it was suggested to try watch crystals, every flashlight in the house was getting measured!

[Robert Lees]

For old aircraft instruments like ours, these sources are ideal.

We don't need an "FAA-approved Instrument Repair Shop" do do a simple repair like this for a non- pressurised aircraft.

When will the FAA wake up, smell the coffee and allow owners a bit more discretion on maintaining their ageing certified aircraft with flexibility?
Do the VAA have any input here?

Rob

[Mike S]

I used a 48x1.5mm lens.

[Hank Jarrett]

In the U.S. it doesn't have to make sense, it is just rules mostly made by people who usually have no idea of the impact of those rules are or the marginal improvement in safety (if any) they provide. The good thing is the people on the front lines of enforcement usually either have little idea what they are looking at, or for those who do know what they are looking at, they are reasonable about enforcement based on experiance. How many FAA inspectors would know what kind of lens should be in a 1940s instrument and how to identify it? Most would walk away unless they saw something really stupid either not knowing it was a "field repair" or thinking that was how it was done "back in the day". Real world; WE are the ones who know more about our planes and WE just need to be proactive about making sure what we do is safe and reliable.