Filling Oilers

I've got four machines with automatic oilers now. One pneumatic (with an electric timer and a solenoid air valve) and three electric. The all have a fine filter screen under the fill cover. Its a pretty fine screen which I appreciate. The problem is it takes a long time to fill. As a result I usually don't fill them until the low oil warning sounds off. I have a couple squeeze bottles that work ok, but it takes a while. Basically I sit down on the floor behind the machine and squeeze in a slow stream of oil. If I get in a hurry it over fills. I've been trying to think of something a little more efficent than sitting on the floor in the shop filling oilers every morning. It takes a while to fill all four machines. On top of that three of the machines have air tool oilers that could stand to be topped off about every 2-3 days.

Getting back to the machine oilers. I was thinking that maybe I could make a small bottle reservoir with an air vent tube, and drain tube and a valve that I could put some oil in, hang it on the side of the machine, run a hose into the machine oiler, and open the valve to a good position to get the right fill rate so it doesn't over flow. Then instead of sitting there squeezing oil into the oiler I could open up the air tool oiler and top it off while the main oiler is filling.

Ideas? I know. I know. Hire an apprentice and make him do it. LOL. The thing is I really only know how to do the limited area that I do. I wouldn't feel right apprenticing somebody... and I kinda want to keep my one man shop a one man shop.

Reply to
Bob La Londe
Loading thread data ...

Can you make a threaded tube that connects to funnel or even another metal can where you dump the oil in, and then come back later, unscrew that and then put the oil cap back on?

There's an engine I deal with that requires a special valve/oil spout that just makes a huge mess and you have to squeeze the oil contailer to let it breath and all that nonsense. The obvious solution is a maybe 4 inch funnel that has the same thread as the oil fill cap. Never seen such a device, has anybody?

Reply to
Cydrome Leader

I was thinking of something a little simpler. A kind of mechanical gravity flow IV bag with a flow control of some kind. I know about how much oil it takes to fill from any given line on the tank. Dump that amount of oil in the fill device, and then go do some other part of the start up rotuine. Start the air dryer. Fill an air oiler. Throw a breakfast sandwich in the microwave. Etc, etc. Come back and check the next machine.

You are kind of thinking along similar lines.

Reply to
Bob La Londe

What I did in your situation was to put a filter at the output of a hand operated oil pump that fits in a 5 gallon bucket. The filter is finer than the screen in the oiler. I then took the screens out of the oilers. Now I can pump oil into the oilers quickly. The oil I am pumping is Hydroclear way lube. I like it better than Vactra. So do my machines. Eric

Reply to
etpm

One approach would be to use a microdispensing pump; just put it on a five minute timer to get 5 fluid ounces transferred. Costs the world, though.

Another is to install a quick-connect (zerk, or similar) fitting that excludes dirt, and delivers clean oil from a prefiltered source, to the reservoir UNDER the filter. Snap the oiler onto the fitting, pump a few strokes, and you're done. The fitting plugs itself when you detach the fill connection.

Reply to
whit3rd

Heat the oil in a bucket of hot water first. Then, when filling, make sure the screen is not completely covered in oil, or it causes an air lock.

Jon

Reply to
Jon Elson

What oil are you using? I use Vactra #2 and I just pour it in. Does not take long at all. Are you using something really thick? heat it like the other poster suggested.

Remove 333 to reply. Randy

Reply to
Randy333

Also, wide-mouth/small-spout funnels come in real handy for screened openings, leaving an air gap around the outside.

Reply to
Larry Jaques

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.