Antique oil can

[Chris ParsonsParticipant @chrisparsons64193]

I was given this oil can many years ago, and it was missing the cap?

I thought it might be nice to make a new one, preferably looking like the original if possible?

Anyone got one or can point me at an image anywhere? Not sure what the thread is, measures 0.1240 inches across

Although it is marked 'valve spout' the spout doesn't move, not sure if it is supposed to?

Thanks

Chris

[Chris ParsonsParticipant @chrisparsons64193]

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

This doesn't help, but we had one of these oilers with the family's 9.5mm Pathe Cine projector circa 1930s.

[Chris ParsonsParticipant @chrisparsons64193]

Interesting – the only thing I can find on the web refers to Rolls Royce/Bentley – a precision oiler – but they all show an angled spout and mine is straight. It could be that old, I have had it since I was a boy.

I am now wondering if the 'valve' referred to is the missing cap, open a turn or so to allow the flow and close it to stop leaks?

Chris

[WALLACEParticipant @wallace]

H Chris.

It looks very similar to one I’ve got – although currently at my Dad’s house at the moment so can’t confirm ( he uses it to occasionally oil his electric razor ! ).

The spout indeed doesn’t move, the oil is released by repeatedly pressing on the thin end of the can at the opposite end. It only works when held near vertical and with thin oil.

W.

[Chris ParsonsParticipant @chrisparsons64193]

Thanks, this one is the same – the base is sprung like a diaphragm. If you are able to get a picture of the cap sometime this would be a great help?

Looks like something you would use on a sewing machine or similar

I could just bodge a plastic cap but thought it was worth making some effort…

Chris

[WALLACEParticipant @wallace]

Will do – going up on Sunday so I can do one then. It’s nothing fancy, just a cone with a knurl at the end to tighten it up if memory serves me right !

W.

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

A friend of mine has one similar. I have been on the lookout for one. They are nice things .

David

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

Hi, The Valve spout is the cap on the end of the spout which when tightened on to the spout, stops the flow of oil. when released it opens again. small brass knurled spout. Like this one!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Muller-Co-Valve-Spout-Oil-Can-Pourer-Oiler-Tin-Valvespout-Vintage-Greaser-Old-/221256022573

Phil.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I was given this one ina box of random tools. Alas! i left it behind at Derby SMEE and it has not been seen since

Easy come, easy go.

The bit on top unscrews to allow oil to be dispensed by clicking the base. I am sure that in the past I have seen one or more with a thin extension pipe fitted.

<edit> I am now wondering if the 'valve' referred to is the missing cap, open a turn or so to allow the flow and close it to stop leaks? – that is exactly how it works.</edit>

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 28/04/2014 21:30:04

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

There's a great old advert here

MichaelG.

[steveteeParticipant @stevetee]

Size 0.124" looks like a fairly course sinusoidal profile…………. probably/ possibly 1/8 whitworth.

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Hi there, all,

Back in the late 1940s, when I was going through my aeromodelling phase, the Valvespout can was popular as a container for the ether/castor oil fuel used for the compression/ignition ('Diesel' ) engines.

I seem to remember that beside the conical model there was also a version with a flattish square body.

The ones I remember had a brass spout – the one in the OP's photos look more like steel. Maybe it's plated?

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

 

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 29/04/2014 09:19:51

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 29/04/2014 09:20:33

[Chris ParsonsParticipant @chrisparsons64193]

What a knowledgeable and helpful lot you are!

I think the can I have IS plated brass – and I thought the 'artisan' poster was great I now have an idea of the original shape potentially

Not sure how the valve would work, if there is a hole in the cap closing it would not close the hole in the spout?? Must be something cunning inside…

That is of course if I can work out what the thread is, think it is 1/8 but I'll have to beg borrow (or buy!) some imperial thread gauges – thought it might be UNF/UNC but had not considered Whitworths (I am mostly metric)

I can see the material cost being 20p and the tooling 20 quid <g>

This has been a great help. thank you all

Chris

[CHRIS WOODS 1Participant @chriswoods1]

[CHRIS WOODS 1Participant @chriswoods1]

This is the one I have, identical to yours, which I bought at a model engineering show a few years ago.

Looks like someone has forced off the valve (it doesn't just screw off) and this would have to be remade, preferably in stainless to match the plated remainder. Without wrecking this or a similar Valvespout oil can the inside is something of a mystery. As there are plenty of different types of Valvespout oil cans around with the same type of valve (usually in plain brass finish) you might find a 'beaten up' old one, remove the whole spout and with the aid of a simply-turned adaptor piece on the stem fit it to your incomplete can. Don't bother with solder because of the plating -bond it instead.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

It almost looks as though the tip is made in two bits, the knurled bit looks as if it is fitted over the forward conical bit. My guess is that you may find an O-ring, and a ball for a valve, and the two parts screwed together.

Ian S C

[Chris ParsonsParticipant @chrisparsons64193]

Thank you Chris – and nuts, I had a feeling that the cap had something clever inside and it had been forcibly removed Think you are correct Ian, if only I had a diagram!

I can still make a plain cap (no hole) but perhaps will look around for another to see if I can swap the valve spout over, I'll have a look through the 'junk' boxes at the next few shows to see what turns up.

Would have been nice to have given it a new lease in life, I already have a few plastic dropper oil cans but it's not the same

Chris

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Chris,

At the risk of stating the obvious … they appear to still be marketing Valvespout. So the easy [boring] answer would be to have a look at one of the new ones.

… Probably gone Metric by now; but the basic design of the valve is likely the same.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Got it !!

Here is the Patent

MichaelG.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Nice one MichaelG. Here's a picture from my R/C model aircraft fueling container bought in the 1980s. I assume the "ribs" at 13 and 20 on the patent drawing are swaged in on assembly, you can see  depressions on the photo that could be made by a swageing wheel.

I agree about the thread probably being 1/8" BSW

HTH

Rod

Edited By Roderick Jenkins on 29/04/2014 15:07:35

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

If that can had "Webley" printed on it I would give you £100 for it.

graham.

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Hi folks,

The ancient oilcan I have in my possession dates prewar and even perhaps further.

My GG Grandad and my G Grandad were engine-wrights and steam engine builders in the middle to late1800's (still got some of their CAD drawings) and wouldn't it be fantastic if it had actually belonged to one of them (very doubtful though)

But they probably used oil by the bucketful.

Anyway back to the oilcan.

Pictures are below.

The spout is brass with about a 1/32"dia hole straight through, no valve.

It's about 3" dia and 3" high and formed from tin-plate although there are only traces left of the plating.

It has the normal diaphragm at the base for pumping the oil out.

The tin-plate has a very unusual spiral forming embossed on it.

Note the letter K also embossed on it under which is "No. 74" also embossed.

If anybody can throw any light on it's provenance I would be delighted.

I myself believe it is a Webley one

Len.P

[CHRIS WOODS 1Participant @chriswoods1]

That is a Kayes oil can. A quick search on the web provides a lot of info on the Company and often used items for sale of their various types.

The other company that produced oil cans/feeders in significant quantities was Braime of Leeds. Again a search will tell you all about them.

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Thanks for that info Chris.

I followed up the name but the company went out of business in 1982, shame.

It was known as the "walnut whip" oil can apparently.

They seem to be collectors items nowadays.

The one pint version went for £194 on e-bay last year but it was in good condition.

One of the long spout versions was what was supplied to us apprentices in the 1950's.

Len.

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