Build a Hydrostatic Lubricator
Why build a hydrostatic lubricator rather than a mechanical lubricator? The reason I go with hydrostatic lubricators is that they are simple, they have not moving parts to break and they work. You can build two lubricators after a few hours in the shop.
You may print this page for personal use in building.
Parts list:
- Brass tubing (available at Home Depot and most hardware stores)
- Brass round stock (1", 1-/12" or 2" depending on size of above tube)
- Copper or brass tubing 1/4" depending on size of locomotive
- Brass round stock 3/8"
- Brass hex stock 3/8"
- Small globe valves (2) (either globe or angle, depending where you place the valve)
Steps in building: (all thread sizes are to personal pref.)
- Cut threads of both ends of the brass tubing
- Cut tubing to desired length
- Drill two parallel holes in top of tube for fill
- Drill one bottom hole even with one top hole
- Tap holes 5/16-32 or desired
- Using 3/8" brass round, make top fills and bottom , drill center hole, turn and die to 5/16-32
- Turn larger round brass to make caps for ends of tube, bevel slightly for soldering
- Solder end caps, top fills and bottom drain
- Using 3/8" hex stock make 2 nuts to hold tank under running boards, also make caps for fills and drain
- Next make a but fitting for both ends of pipe, end entering tank and the end entering the cylinder
- Drill hole in end of tank, near top. Tap and solder in fitting for pipe
- Place valve in convenient place on pipe
- Now your finished. To see how one operates, see pic below
Steam travels up tubing from cylinders to the tank. As steam condenses, water sinks and pushes cylinder oil down pipe into cylinder. You can also make an upright style lubricator for use with a steam pump. Below, you can see how one of these lubricators looks on my American.
|
|
