Big hole, small plug

[beige_alert]

It turns out the oil drain plug on the rough vacuum pumps for the LTQ mass spectrometer is small enough to fit right through the oil fill hole. I learned this the hard way. I tried to set the drain plug on top of the pump so it wouldn't get lost, and it got lost inside the pump. After trying to pull the plug out with long forceps, I resorted, with Joyce's help, to turning the pump upside down. The pump is somewhat lighter than me. But not by a lot. I have learned my lesson.

Comments

[aunty_marion]

Bother, "There's a hole in your vacuum pump" just doesn't scan!

LTQ user from Irvine

[(Anonymous)]

The rough pump is pretty heavy. I couldn't lift it up w/out help.