Sourcing ball oilers

[Dog on wheelsParticipant @dogonwheels]

Hello all,

 

I am searching to find some replacement ball oilers for my lathe but am struggling to find a source that gives any indication of quality (or very many sources at all). I’m keen to get decent ones and don’t mind paying a fair price but am hesitant to take a gamble.

I’m looking for ones with a flush-top, 6mm diameter with a flange on top.

I have found https://adamslube.com/product/ball-valve-oilers/ in the UK

and https://www.mafa-shop.com/en/catalogue-1/lubrication-technology-grease-nipple-grease-guns/ball-point-oilers in Germany

The ones from Germany look to be good quality, but it’s almost impossible to tell just from a picture. The seller has a small order surcharge too, which would make it quite expensive for a set. There seems to be little information about the differences between the ones on their site too.

I wondered if anyone on here has any experience with obtaining these (or knows of another supplier) and the sort of quality that might be available. It’s surprising to me that such a common item isn’t more easily available. Any help would be gratefully received.

The original ones were clogged with old oil (or maybe grease) and the springs have failed as I have tried to clean them out, meaning that the balls don’t return to seal the hole.

I have a Reilang oil can so am ready for oiling the machine, I just need to replace the pesky oilers.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Arc Euro used to supply, but they have now closed.

YEARS ago, Warco supplied me with a few, which satisfied the immediate need.

So try WARCO, Chester or maybe RDG for sources of supply.

Presumably, you are looking for 6 mm or 8 mm oilers. In this day and age, METRic is all that you are likely to be able to get.

Howard

[Howard Lewis]

On Howard Lewis Said:

Arc Euro used to supply, but they have now closed.

YEARS ago, Warco supplied me with a few, which satisfied the immediate need.

So try WARCO, Chester or maybe RDG for sources of supply.

Presumably, you are looking for 6 mm or 8 mm oilers. In this day and age, METRic is all that you are likely to be able to get.

Howard

There’s both metric and imperial available on eBay from the like of RDG & http://www.ebay.co.uk/str/pneumaticstools

Bill

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

I’ve bought 2 packs from Ebay, a different seller – ‘tooltrader_middlesbrough’ (- looks like an identical item at an identical price) – they seat better than the ones that were fitted to my ‘green’ lathe as supplied.

I bought two packs expecting to carry out some personal QA on arrival but in the event all the pieces in the packs I bought were ‘good’ / useable.

[Dog on wheelsParticipant @dogonwheels]

Thank you for your responses.

Unfortunately, neither the seller on eBay or RDG have them in metric. The pictures of their imperial ones look absolutely awful though; I don’t see how the ball can seal when the machining around the hole is so bad.

Perhaps I will give Warco a ring to see what they have, but I worry that theirs won’t be any better.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

All seems to be a bit of a faff to me as the ball is only there to keep the dust out. If that picky why not make them? Sorry if I seem a bit rude but Honestly.

[Chris GunnParticipant @chrisgunn36534]

Adams are a very long established company in this field and were my go to supplier for various oilers when i was working. Metric and Imperial as well. I would look no further.

Chris Gunn

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Must say that I’m intrigued by the fat that the German firm [MAFA] offers them with red glass balls [for easy visibility] … Seems a nice touch, if only their shipping charges were better.

MichaelG.

[Diogenes]

On Diogenes Said:

I’ve bought 2 packs from Ebay, a different seller – ‘tooltrader_middlesbrough’ (- looks like an identical item at an identical price) – they seat better than the ones that were fitted to my ‘green’ lathe as supplied.

I bought two packs expecting to carry out some personal QA on arrival but in the event all the pieces in the packs I bought were ‘good’ / useable.

That Middlesborough trader, is the same one I linked to; the name changes when you open the item from the eBay search list, they appear to be in stock in both 6 & 8mm, along with various others

Shop Here- https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/pneumaticstools

From search list;

links to here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283556428487

[Dog on wheelsParticipant @dogonwheels]

Thank you again for your input.

Bernard, that’s not a rude suggestion; I was starting to consider making them myself but I’m really busy and could do with prioritising my time on other things at the moment, such as using the machine.

Chris, I will contact Adams next week and see what they can do.

Peak4, I have seen those already but I need them to have a flange on the top.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The oilers supplied by WARCO, many years ago, were Metric, so thay may be your source of supply.

Howard

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Out of interest these were in the workshop, the ones on the right have no balls but a pressed half sphere instead, the ones top left are door/cabinet closers with no hole but could be drilled(springs quite strong) and the rest are bog std ones.

[alecsParticipant @alecs]

Aliexpress list quite a few ball oilers  all metric.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Google “the nipple shop”.  They have all you need, I suspect.🙂

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