Bearing Cap for spindle on old headstock

[skipd1]

oilers

I already have oilers for my bearing caps, I want to modify the new brass and glass drip oilers I just purchased. I bought all three 1/4-32 taps and an adjustable die for $15 which includes shipping. thanks

[RWO]

Mcmaster.com has Gits style oilers in 1/4-32 and they are probably cheaper than a 1/4-32 tap and nipple.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-oil-cups/=e6bae0

RWO

[jdunmyer]

Skipd1,
We've used 5/16-32 threads in our model engines also, so I know those are available from Enco.

[skipd1]

Skipd1,
Can you tap the inside of the oiler to 1/16" pipe, then use a 1/16" pipe nipple to mount the oiler to your bearing cap? You can buy 1/16" taps and dies from Enco, I believe. We've used them on our models, so I know they're available.

Thanks for the great advice. I found out that the old oiler is 1/4"-32 UNEF not 1/16 pipe, I will look for a tap and nipple that size. Wish me luck!!

Thanks

[jdunmyer]

Skipd1,
Can you tap the inside of the oiler to 1/16" pipe, then use a 1/16" pipe nipple to mount the oiler to your bearing cap? You can buy 1/16" taps and dies from Enco, I believe. We've used them on our models, so I know they're available.

[skipd1]

I have an old 1930 9" South Bend that has the original gits headstock oilers on the bearing caps for oiling the headstock spindle bearings. I know that this is oil gravity feed that runs through without any wicks etc. The existing gits oilers are threaded to what I believe is 1/16 Pipe thread (~5/16"/32tpi),the gits headstock oiler actually has 32tpi. The existing threaded hole in the bearing cap is almost the same size as 5/16" NF thread. Okay now comes the fun part. I purchased 2 gits brass drip oilers but unfortunately they are 1/4" pipe. I have found brass bell reducers from 1/4" pipe to 1/8" pipe but try and find anything in the 1/16"pipe is impossible. My question is can I drill and retap the bearing caps to 1/8" pipe without weaking the bearing cap??? The difference is very small but it is a larger hole. It looks like you don't have to drill and tap very deep, maybe 5/15", but I don't want to mess up the bearing caps.

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