I'm restoring an ESI 250DA. The pointer for the Dekapot dials is clear plastic and mounted so you view the units and tens digits through it. It is dark orange now and the dials are hard to read. I'd love to recreate it but the requirement for optical clarity - and the complex shape - has me stymied. ESI must have recognized the problem, because later on (250DE and discrete Dekapots) they used an opaque pointer mounted across from the viewing area so you see the setpoint digits through air instead of plastic.

Do you have any suggestions?

I can't use the late design directly since (a) the mounting point is in the wrong place and (b) hundredths is a knob, not the later flat dial.
I suppose I could make a "window frame" enclosing the tens/units and pointing to the hundredths. Or cut a window in the old pointer but I doubt I can make it clean and straight enough to look decent.

Thanks,
Dave Wise

I think I have two ideas: Leave it as it is and infer what digit is selected by what is just above or below the pointer. Or drill a small hole in the plastic pointer to view the numbers. Or am I missing something vital?

Thanks, chipveres, I could do either of your suggestions. I want to do better though. Here are pictures. Looks like even just removing it would be better than trying to use it.

Look for a clear acrylic display stand or bracket that's about 1/8" thick that can be used to cut out an appropriate sized right angle piece.
Edges can be shaped and sanded smooth on a belt sander and polished with a buffing wheel for a finished appearance. Of course you could also soften, bend and shape a 1/8" plexiglass sheet to the same end if you can find the appropriate material at a reasonable price.

Here's an example of the type of donor item I have in mind --
https://www.desertcart.ae/products/4794 ... ll-mounted

If it were mine however, I think that I'd be inclined to just leave it as it is. It's not so badly yellowed that you can't see the digits through it, and its sturdy construction would be difficult to duplicate.

- Jim

Thanks for the idea, Jim, I will start looking for a right-angle piece.

I can see through the old one, but I have to squint and peer and it ticks me off. I'll report back when I have something worthwhile.