Lubricator

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Mjordan
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Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:52 pm

Lubricator

Post by Mjordan »

Would it be silly to add a mechanical lubricator to supply oil to the main journal bearings? Would excess oil be an issue dripping on the tracks? Just a thought
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SPSteam2491
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Re: Lubricator

Post by SPSteam2491 »

What material are your main bearing made from?

Mechanical lubricator should be far down the list of good ways to keep the main journals lubricated. Nothing ruins a day of running like driving on greased rails because of excess oil dripping on the tracks.
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John LaFavor
Pacific Design Shops
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Bill Shields
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Re: Lubricator

Post by Bill Shields »

In short...no

Amen to the above greasy rail comment

At most, a way to squirt oil in to something that will drip into the bearings.

A reservoir with felt at the bottom to keep out dirt is a personal favorite.

Any mechanical lubricator will supply way more oil than needed...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Mjordan
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Re: Lubricator

Post by Mjordan »

Oil on rails is what I’m afraid would happen.

I don’t 100% know what material they are, I wasn’t the builder of this engine. But the oil points are such a pain to get to, almost impossible to do off a stand.

So I was just curious and wanted to ask more experienced steamers.
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SPSteam2491
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Re: Lubricator

Post by SPSteam2491 »

They might not be oil, they may be for grease. My 1½" Little Engines Atlantic has holes in the back of the axle boxes. Originally I thought it had friction bearings but when doing a short rebuild, I found out they were ball bearings and the hole for a grease port. And oil in a ball bearing is a sure fire way to burn them out quickly.

Do some more analysis of the engine to get a better idea on the material, then make the right decision based on the information you find.
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John LaFavor
Pacific Design Shops
Mjordan
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Re: Lubricator

Post by Mjordan »

They are brass journal bearings. They have a stem to add oil, they’re just hard to get to with an oil can w/flex hose. I may just re-fab the stem to be longer and more accessible.

Thanks for the input on the lubricator. Pretty much solidified my original worry about too much oil.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Lubricator

Post by Bill Shields »

Lube up through the center hole of the axle
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
pat1027
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Re: Lubricator

Post by pat1027 »

Mine are lubricated through a hole in the center of the axle. A push button oiler seals the hole. A couple pumps with an oil can has served well for 30 years.

Regarding your mechanical lubricator idea it would not have to pump continuously. A small hand crank or knob would let you pump in oil as needed.
10 Wheeler Rob
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Re: Lubricator

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob »

I replaced the flex hose on the oil can with a 1/8" or 3/16" fabricated copper tube with the tapered tip to make getting into hard to reach spots. You can bend it to suit, and reaches through spoked wheels and such.

Rob
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gwrdriver
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Re: Lubricator

Post by gwrdriver »

How about installing a central 1-Shot lube system? Push (or pull) the plunger a couple of times and be lubed for the day. If you have stems you're half-way there.
GWRdriver
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NP317
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Re: Lubricator

Post by NP317 »

Personally I prefer taking the time to lubricate the chassis one item at a time.
That also serves as an inspection opportunity to make sure items are still in their correct positions.
I HAVE found such issues when oiling around.

All part of running steam locomotives: Enjoy the steaming process and not just the ride.
RussN
Mjordan
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Re: Lubricator

Post by Mjordan »

I like the idea of making it hand operated. Give a few pumps during steam up. I’ll still lube up all the outside moving parts with a hand oil can. I just wanted something to get the pain in the butt places while on the ground.
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