Lube points....but not sure

[morrisman]

On a few machines, I have noticed what I think are oiling points . You see a brass plug with a ball in the centre, the ball is spring loaded , something like a one way valve . You can press the ball inwards and it springs back.

I've seen these on sewing machines and the mill drill I have has them also .

Can somebody explain what they are and their function

mike

[rogerbaker]

Hi Mike
They will be oiling points.
Give them a quick wipe with cloth to remove swarf, press the nozzle of an oil can against the ball and give them a squirt or two. Some oil can nozzles are better than others at getting oil in without lots on the outside.

Roger

[morrisman]

Ok Thanks Roger .

Are you the ham VK3BKR ?

Mike

[rogerbaker]

Guilty yer honour.

Roger

[morrisman]

Guilty yer honour.

Roger

Roger

I met you years ago when you ran the manual copying service .... you did a manual for me

I'm VK3CZ .. small world , 73's

[RayG]

Roger

I met you years ago when you ran the manual copying service .... you did a manual for me

I'm VK3CZ .. small world , 73's

I wonder how many other amateurs are hanging out around here... I'm VK3YNV used to be active on 23cm and 70cm, but not so much these days..

Regards
Ray

[Dave J]

On a few machines, I have noticed what I think are oiling points . You see a brass plug with a ball in the centre, the ball is spring loaded , something like a one way valve . You can press the ball inwards and it springs back.

I've seen these on sewing machines and the mill drill I have has them also .

Can somebody explain what they are and their function

mike


I posted these pictures up here or somewhere else, when we where discussing the oilers.

Dave

[morrisman]

Yes , I did try the oil can as in the pics by Dave and it works fine ......

BTW I read somewhere that chainsaw bar oil is ideal for ways as it is somewhat sticky . One could possibly use it for other areas of machines as well :roll:

Mike

Regarding Ham radio ... A lathe is handy for making various home brew fittings so the two interests do intersect to some degree .

[Dave J]

Greg had way oil available by the liter a while back, he might still have some. Also there is a place down your way selling it by the 5ltr container instead of 20ltr. Someone will jump in and let you know.

Dave

[Hunch]

Some oil can nozzles are better than others at getting oil in without lots on the outside.

Can't imagine they're cheap, Wanner do specific machine tool oilers, usually pictured in most of the Euro manuals, but probably a must have accessory if you've got a Schaublin or anything Swiss! :D

[simonl]

I'm sure guys of your expertise and calibre would be able to machine up their own dedicated brass nipples for oiling the lube points......:U

Also, treat those lube points nicely becaue I have a couple where the ball has disappeared and now there is simply a brass hole with no ball... :~

BTW, has anyone done a mod to their lathe headstock that changed their splash oil lubrication system into a pressure feed system? Just thought I'd ask :roll:

Simon

[Bryan]

No but I can tell you how to remove your stuffed oilers. It involves a tek screw, pliers and a hammer. Is that enough info?

[simonl]

No but I can tell you how to remove your stuffed oilers. It involves a tek screw, pliers and a hammer. Is that enough info?

I must admit I have never had a close look at how to remove/replace them as I thought it could not be done easily, being chinese. I'm going to have a closer look later....

Cheers

Simon

[morrisman]

I found these are available ..MIKE

RDG Tools - Online Engineering Tools Button Oilers (http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/Button_Oilers.html)

[Stustoys]

Hey Bryan, If you get the right sized self tapper and a claw hammer you can get away without the pliers lol ;)
I hate the things. Yeah most of them work most of the time but I still hate them. I'm slowly replacing the ones I can with oil cups. I've thought about replacing the ones were a cup wont suit with a grub screw. I've decided against that so far as I figure I'll forget to oil one.

Stuart

[simonl]

I found these are available ..MIKE

RDG Tools - Online Engineering Tools Button Oilers (http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/Button_Oilers.html)

Hey Mike,

Thanks heaps for that link. That has given me some ideas. My whole lathe lubrication system is in constant review since it constantly annoys me how it has been designed. I have the cheaper old style gear change tumblers for changing the feed rates. It's not immersed in an oil bath but requires periodic oiling via those button oilers. Not an issue if it worked effectively but some parts don't receive effective oiling, then after you give enough oil so all the parts get some, the next day you see a litre of oil sitting in the coolant tray! There must be a better way!

Like I said, I'm working on it.......:;

BTW, are those cup oilers rather obtrusive if you replace them on your saddle/top slide or do you only use the side oilers on the end where your lead screw etc are?

Cheers,

Simon

[Stustoys]

are those cup oilers rather obtrusive
Yes they would be, so wont be using them on the crosssilde screw, top of crossslide(x3), top of compound(x3) and a couple of other places they just wont go. In the end I guess its less than half can be replaced :(. Thats why I was thinking about tapping the holes and fitting grub screws, I wonder if that would allow more swarf in than the oilers? At least with a hole or a cup you can be sure some oil has gone in.
So while I hate them for the minute I have to live with them. They certainly look better than oil cups.

Stuart