oil wick groove in bronze bearing cap

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I have this OLD Ritter model F compressor  that has Bronze bearing caps for the crank (7/16" shaft dia.).  One (of the 2 I have) was leaking so I disassembled it and found the sight glass pretty much shattered in place.  I managed to get the other cap off, as it was leaking as well. Well, there appears to be a wick that feeds into a groove at BDC to oil the shaft.  Just curious if any of you guys have seen anything like this, and know what the wick material might be?  (I need to figure out the capacity for the oil as well while I have it apart)   I'm going to need to bore out and tap the one end for a replacement sight glass.  -I'll try to upload some pics from my Cell.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/Dk49JKX/image000000.jpg" alt="image000000" border="0">

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/TLxCGZ8/image00000a.jpg" alt="image00000a" border="0">

[34_40]

In the top picture it looks like twisted wool fibers (aka Felt) , but I'd bet even current oil lamp wicks would work quite satisfactory.  the media is actually being used to meter the oil and keep a constant supply.  

[mdlbldrmatt135]

In the top picture it looks like twisted wool fibers (aka Felt) , but I'd bet even current oil lamp wicks would work quite satisfactory.  the media is actually being used to meter the oil and keep a constant supply. 

That's where I wound up heading last night....  I struggled finding round felt wick in the correct size, but managed to find some oil lamp wick that will work. I ordered some 1/4" BSPP sight glasses,& Tap/drill to rework the end where the sight glass broke out, rather than gluing something in.  I need to look at that to see if its going to work based on the available space to tap vs the thread length on the glass itself once it gets here.

[chips and more]

I have never seen that method before? I think I would take a sheet of felt and cut a strip off from it and use that. Being it's going in a grove, wouldn't a square shape be better than round? How is the sight glass installed? How does the oil get to the  bushing? Gravity or being wicked up?

[mdlbldrmatt135]

The old sight glass appears to have been glued in. (at least what the good one looks like, however both are/were heavily yellowed. the shafts appear to be lubed by the wick, as it sits in a groove (however they're a bit disintegrated on the "pan" end.  I'm assuming hat the cylinders are splash lubed based on lack of a pump.  I've reached out to the manufacturer to see if they possibly have any info on them as far as oil capacity (but not holding my breath, as Ritter is now owned by a German firm)  I tried the same with the electric motor (about oil type for the cups on the bearings), and they actually had me reach out to a service center that had all their old records.    I'm trying to save them because they're really quiet, which is great in the house.

[34_40]

That idea of cutting a strip from a sheet of felt may be a great one.  I think I still have a piece, if you want, I can cut a strip and you can have it, just pay the freight and it's yours. 

[mdlbldrmatt135]

That idea of cutting a strip from a sheet of felt may be a great one.  I think I still have a piece, if you want, I can cut a strip and you can have it, just pay the freight and it's yours.

I have some of the wick material on the way, and can check with my Mom for some felt (She Sews & makes felt Christmas stockings)  and try both and maybe "test" the wicking abilities of both!   Thanks for the offer!!!

[chips and more]

Felt is used in many micro machines as a seal around high spinning (4K rpm) shafts to keep the bearings crap free. I'm amazed at how well the felt holds up! I have had to replace ball bearings but maybe just clean the felt seal. After cleaning it looks just like new! Gotta love those sheep!

[mdlbldrmatt135]

After talking with my Dad, and then running over to see one of his Neighbors,  I went ahead and ordered some felt strip from Zoro, as it was a bit more economical compared to McMaster.  Most of the stuff at the fabric store is now Polyester NOT Wool.

I'll have to try to cut it down as the smallest was 1/8" thick and I need something closer to 1/16" square.   

[mdlbldrmatt135]

OK,  So I tried the boiling them in washing soda to clean them prior to the rebuild.  And now I'll have to repaint them 

but they are Sparkling clean now.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I tried cutting down some 1/8" thick wool felt wick stock and it just fell apart.  I've got requests out to a pair of suppliers to see if they can possibly make some 1/16" round or square cordage....  Otherwise I may have to change to the cotton wick.