Oiler wicks

[gibsonj]

Hello all,

I've read in various places that Edison's DDs originally had wicks in the oiler tubes to control oil flow to lubrication points. These are long gone in the DD that I'm currently working on.

Does anyone know a source for replacements, or a reasonable substitute?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

John

[dddave]

They appear to be thin strips of dense felt, similar to what was used for governor pads. I’ve made some from the felt pads made for rubbing out finishes.
Dave

[gibsonj]

Dave

Makes perfect sense that Edison would have used similar material as governor pads for the oiler wicks. Thanks for the idea.

John

[matty]

It might be worth checking your local craft store, or a millinery store if you can find one. You can sometimes find felt piping that is very dense & in assorted sizes, colours etc. It's usually sold by the metre here (by the yard there??) & sometimes when they find out you only want 4 or 6 inches, they'll give the bit for nothing.
It might also be worth pushing a wire down each pipe. I broke the end off one once flush at the tube, but what was left inside was long enough to push out & work fine.