Posted by Alan Worland on 25/06/2012 22:10:37: a suitably sized oiler with a screw cap which would be capable of retaining a more generous amount of oil.

Would it be better filled with grease and given a part turn every so often?

This method was used in a full-sized stationary engine which was built by IHC in the 1920s, which used a deep "grease cup" on the end of the crankshaft, from whence the grease was forced through a passageway to the big end , a periodic "pat" on the end of the grease cup would keep things lubricated.

The grease cup could be removed while the engine was running as required, by quickly spinning it between the hands faster than the slow-running engine was rotating, and replaced VERY carefully, after refilling.

donhe7

Posted by Alan Worland on 26/06/2012 21:04:14:

Thanks for that. I think what I have is a grease cup (it did have grease in it)

I have fitted it to the con rod journal which has a very small feed hole into the bearing, I shall fill it with oil and run it on compressed air to see the quantity of oil used, I could fit it with a wick to slow feed rate down if it all flows through too quickly.

I like the idea of the cup on the crank end, this could be used for all crank bearings I guess.

In hindsight I think oil might be more suitable than grease?

I think a lot of small steam engines seem to have lubricators for main bearings etc but the big end gets forgotten about!

Alan