Oil points on lathe

Jan 06, 2013 36 Replies

What do you call the little brass oling points in lathes etc with a ball bearing in them and where do you get them?


Am 06.01.2013 05:49, schrieb F Murtz:

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They are grease nipples, not for oil.

That would be why they're called oil hole covers, then.

They are ball valve oilers and provide oiling points, putting grease in them would simply block the lathe oilways they feed.

The ball has collapsed (disappeared down hole) could be a nuisance if it ends up in a gear, but I want some to replace them before I start disturbing them

On 06 Jan 2013, you wrote in uk.d-i-y:

I prefer oil cups. The ball ones are only okay if you have a pump - squirty oil can to get oil past the spring loaded ball. An oil cup (if there is room) can be more easily loaded with a drip feed oil can.

Ex Toolroom Machininst and frustrated millwright.

That would be why there is a ball in them that can only be displaced with a grease gun

No, with the nozzle of an oil can.

Here is a picture of them, how do you fit a grease gun?

PS I have now bought some on Ebay.

OOPS forgot the picture.

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In message , Brian Gaff writes

NURSE - More bromide for that man

There is a *grease gun* available which could be used for oil holes. Often supplied with chain saws where there is a sprocket at the end of the bar. Grease is applied with an applicator having a pointed spout which locates in the tiny lubrication holes.

They would work easily on lathe oil points.

Except they would not lubricate the lathe as intended

So where would you use grease? Plain bearings using grease have a groove/reservoir. Friction causes the grease to melt an get into the bearing.

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Almost all small lathes have them, you squirt oil in with a pointy spouted oil can, they have been using them for at least over 100 years on all sorts of machinery.

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