The Home Machinist!

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!

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

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.

Locoparts has displacement lubricators like what you need.

...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.

ccvstmr wrote:...here's another suggestion.....

I like that arrangement Carl!

Who's lubricator is that one?

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.

I have BvB drawings for similar if you want it

I have your drawings Bill. Thanks.

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

Thanks all.

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