Well . . we just found ourselves in a total pickle regarding this subject and our latest machine, a 205-370 which we think is an early Global clone . . it's maker's plate simply states "Fine Sewing Machine" nor does it give Country of manufacture . . and having now sewn with it we very much agree. Getting familiar with the machine, creating a snag-list and working out what accessories we might need we notice what appeared to be the remains of PURPLE pipe cleaners left inside the needle end of the sewing head. Given we might need to speak to the sales agent about these we took pix before removing the mangled pieces. Then we noticed the same wire twisted pipe cleaner was attached elsewhere to the oil feed tubes . . . poo! Had we removed something we shouldn't of?
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The pix below show what we found and where they were as well as the chopped pieces we removed, there is still some "purple fluff" left inside in places that needs cleaning out. So we started extensive research . . what on earth did we all do before the Internet? Pop down the local community library I seem to remember. Durkopp Adler's parts book is rubbish for this sort of investigation, I've done technical drawing in my past and I can assure the readers that whomever drew that lot of scraggly lines knew exactly where everything went blindfolded and had no intention of passing on those facts! Worse was to follow. We found reference on the web-site of a Scottish manufacturer of industrial pipe cleaners that ( sic ) "Perhaps less well known is their usage as the perfect “wick” to slowly draw and transport liquids and other volatile substances". Ohh . . double poo!! But wait . . more was to follow! @Uwe in your excellent video about "Adjusting the foot lift" at roughly 38 seconds you can clearly see GREEN pipe cleaner inside your machines sewing head. But it got worse . . a photo on Hightex's web-site for 205-370 parts showed one of the rods we found with pipe cleaner hanging off it with ORANGE pipe cleaner neatly wound around the elbow . . . Aagghhh!!!
We now have to consider refitting and/or servicing ALL the lubrication system for our 205-370 given that, in all innocence, we might have disabled part of it. We do claim at least one thing in our favour though M'Lud, not only was what we removed doing nothing but, since being removed, the machine has lost a slight tight spot when being turned over by hand.
So . . despite all the options discussed above . . . pipe cleaner!?! What sordid little fart thought it a great idea to wrap disposable material around thin wire and then put that in close contact with moving parts!!!
Help?
I've recently acquired a Cowells lathe.which I'm currently giving a darned good strip down and clean before I start using it. Colin Childs of Cowells estimates that mine was made in the mid-s
Mt micrometer indicates that wear on the bearing faces of the spindle seems commendably low and I'd like to keep it like that.
I've seen discussion on US forums about replacing the wicks in the oilers of plain bearing lathes. I've also found US sites selling the felt wick material in various grades and diameters…
… but I've found no UK suppliers
I've asked Cowells but they don't sell anything like this.
Has anyone found any UK suppliers for wick material for plain bearing oilers?
Thanks
Thanks.
Were you able to find something of the right shape and size in a fabrics shop?
If so, any idea what I should be looking/asking for?
I've also seen discussion about cutting up felt sheet but I'm not too confident that I could cut such a small cylindrical shape from such a spongy material. If possible I'd lilke to find something that is sold in cord form so that I just need to cut a suitable length.
This is a US example…
https://www.mcmaster.com/#oil-wicks/=1ed
Regards, Andy
Thanks Chris.
I've managed to dig up some more info since my original posting.
First off I managed to order some almost correct felt as 5mm diameter cord from Hardy and Hanson. It's the right material but the grade is harder (s44) than would be perfect – s36 seems to be a match for the American F-1 grade.
Secondly I think that my oil cups are still available from Adams Lube in Coventry. Judging by the size I think they are 'BS shoulder drive oil cup 3/16 inch hole' but without taking mine out I can't be 100% sure of the size. I contacted Adams and was advised that they are recommended to be used with nothing in the oil flow.
So I think that the oilers probably left the factory without any felt in them.
It remains to be seen whether this will produce a reasonable oil flow on my lathe. It's in bits just now. If it proves excessive then I will experiment with the felt and also consider fitting different lubricators altogether.
Looking at the photos on Cowells site they still use very similar cups but there is an extra 'thing' between the cup and the top of the bearing casting. Does anyone know what this 'thing' is? I can guess but does anyone know? My cups are fitted straight into holes in the bearing casting.
Andy,
Just looked at this thread again and read your reply and replies by others.
Very sorry to mislead, I was thinking of replacement of the (flat) felt wipers on my Myford. I get flat sheet felt from a cloth shop.
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Out of interest, a book on steam loco maintenance published during BR days, shows different types of wicks that were in use at the time. From memory, they were all made of worsted wrapped around a wire support, just like Chris described.
Worsted wool yarns are spun from fibres that have been combed, to ensure that the fibres all run the same direction and are are used to make clothing. The yarn has to be 100% wool and not synthetic for lubricator wicks.
Wicks made from wool yarn, wrapped around a wire support are commonly used in steam traction engines lubricators. It is important to not have the wire too tightly wrapped around the wool because it will restrict the flow of oil thru the wool fibres.
Paul.
Gosh, many replies. Thank you all.
I don't think there is any question of 'misleading' – my original question was based on an assumption that turned out to be wrong so no worries there.
The more general question is whether the 'open bottom' cup arrangement on my lathe will cause too much oil flow and general spraying of oil from the spindle pulleys etc onto the lathe's surroundings. Time will tell. If so then I wil be looking for ways to get enough oil flow without getting too much.
Any info on what arrangement Cowells now use for the oilers would be useful – like I said there appears to be a 'thing' in between the oiler and the top of the headstock casting in the photos of a more recent machine on the Cowells site.
Regards, Andy
Tanya at Hardy and Hanson was very helpful. The 5mm diameter s44 stuff is on sale just now on their web site but they make other things. They don't do cord in less than s44 grade (which is harder than F-1) though but I think they do other shapes/sheets in the softer felt. She was keen to quote me for a custom job to do the exact size I wanted… but 5mm was probably my best guess anyway… assuming I even need any felt now!
As far as I could gather from various sites, F-1 and F-3 are the usual choices with F-1 being preferable.
Andy,
I think you are over thinking things!
The Cowells lathes don't have any felt in the oilers and it is described in their literature as a "total loss" system.
I don't know what you expect in terms of "oil flow". The cups only hold a drop each and you don't need to fill them every 5 minutes. The oil does run out (and gets sprayed around), but as already stated, the quantities are very small. When you look into the cups you can see how well the spindle is lubricated. If using the lathe on the dining room table, you would definitely need a splash guard behind it and on the floor where you sit/ stand in front of it. I also used to wear a lab coat to prevent getting oil on my clothes.
Providing there isn't too much work involved, the felt wicks might prevent the spraying, but in a workshop environment it isn't really a problem.
Regards Tom
Hi Tom,
Yes, the lathe will need to be house trained. It will certainly be stored indoors when not being used. I will use it outdoors or in the shed when possible but I'd like to have the option of using it indoors when the job is small and the weather is inclement.
I anticipate arranging some splash guards but just now the focus is on getting the thing fettled and hopefully soon putting it back together.
Regards, Andy
I have a rather more recent Cowells. As Tom says the oil does come out and can be sprayed around. The worst bit is it can get on the headstock drive belt.
I do not have to top up every time I use the lathe but have found that if the level goes down too fast it is worth checking the headstock bearings. These can be tightened using the pinch bolts. You only need to adjust them by a tiny amount.
Somewhere back in the mists of time, I recall such a thing as an 'oil flinger', which consisted of a thin sheet disc of metal fixed to the shaft/mandrel and revolving with it. This would be placed between the oil spraying bearing and the pulley. The oil would work its way along the mandrel til it met the obstruction and centrifugal force would make it spread out across the disc to th edge and flick it elsewhere but not on the vulnerable pulley and its belt.
HTH
John
The orange belt that came with my lathe looks like it has seen a fair bit of oil in its time. Not sure if they are intended to cope with such an oily environment but I guess they must be.
I've ordered a new belt from Cowells (among other things) and will keep the other one as a spare, I suspect the new one will get oily too.
The motor belt is a rubber vee belt but from the spray marks inside the wooden base it looks like this has seen some oil too… which reminds me I still need to source one of these because the old one, while intact, has definitely developed a 'memory' of being left in one position probably for years.
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