Small displacement lubricator?

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

Post Reply
User avatar
DianneB
Posts: 733
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:05 pm
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Small displacement lubricator?

Post by DianneB »

I am planning to add a Cole's Worthington pump to the left running board on my 1-1/2 scale American and I am looking for a small displacement lubricator or plans to use for the pump. It needs to be small, 1-1/2" tall or less in height, so it doesn't overwhelm the pump (visually). It would be nice if it had a glass to see the oil level.

Anybody know if there is anything out there commercially made?

Anybody seen plans for a shorty lubricator?

Thanks gang!
User avatar
Builder01
Posts: 726
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 5:26 am
Location: Erie, PA

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by Builder01 »

PM research has them, although the smallest one is 2" tall. They do not have any with a sight glass, the ones that do, tend to be even larger. Most of the usual suspects in England sell them, also.

David
User avatar
shayloco
Posts: 264
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2003 11:00 am
Location: Rhode Island

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by shayloco »

The lubricator doesn't have to be next to the pump. You can put it out of sight of the pump. I would have said in the cab but lubricators tend to drip and make a mess. There are Chinese made lubricators on eBay, just search on "live steam lubricator". They have both sight glass types and non-sight glass. I have a couple of them and they work fine. There was also a plan for a homemade lubricator in Australian Model Engineer magazine recently. Looked like an easy build. No drain line, instead he used a plastic syringe with tubing attached to drain and refill, which might be a good idea to limit the mess.
trivettj
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:01 pm
Location: banner elk north carolina

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by trivettj »

Locoparts has displacement lubricators like what you need.
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by ccvstmr »

...here's another suggestion. Take it for what it's worth. When installing your displacement lubricator, install a "T" in the main steam line to your pump with the branch pointing up. Add a 90 or street "L" for the lubricator to screw into. Why? Soon as the steam leaves the boiler, it's going to condense. You don't want the condensate to fill the reservoir in the lubricator and displace all the lube oil prematurely. By installing the T and elbow...only steam will enter the lubricator, condense and "meter" (somewhat) the use of lube oil. AND...if at all possible, avoid any low spots in the plumbing where steam condensate will fill the steam line to the pump (or other). Make sense? Carl B.
xIMG_7604.JPG
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
User avatar
DianneB
Posts: 733
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:05 pm
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by DianneB »

ccvstmr wrote:...here's another suggestion.....
I like that arrangement Carl!

Who's lubricator is that one?
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by ccvstmr »

Diane...I purchased my displacement lubricator with sight glass from American Model Engineering Supply. Wasn't long after that, Wayne Godshall purchased the entire AMES business and is now selling most, if not all of the AMES items listed on the old website. Sight glass and non-sight glass displacement lubricators are available. And if you're looking for something that's not advertised...I'd contact Wayne to see if something can be worked out. Hope that helps. Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10460
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by Bill Shields »

I have BvB drawings for similar if you want it
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
DianneB
Posts: 733
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:05 pm
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by DianneB »

I have your drawings Bill. Thanks.

Carl: I'll ask Wayne what he's got.

Thanks all.
User avatar
Pipescs
Posts: 2194
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Small displacement lubricator?

Post by Pipescs »

Lube location.

Hey Dianne,

The Lubricator on Larry Kombrink's American was located in the cab just off the turret.

The line to the steam pump was about five inches long as it was on the running board
DSC_5124.jpg
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
Post Reply