presser foot problems maybe?

[bruce johnson]

Ed,

Yessir, it can get red. Must be some kind of oxidation reaction to air or metal. Should have told you, what I do now is to line my lube pot with a small plastic bag. Stick it in, and fold the sides back over the top edge of the lubepot and fill it. I haven't had it discolor in the bag as much (it still will a little), but easy to lift out and replace if need be. I figured this out after taking the pot off and washing it for the 4th or 5th time. LOng enough ago that I forget some of the learning curve.

[esantoro]

I called up Ferdco. THey're sending me the materials for two thread wipers, about $10 for everything. I'll have to drill the existing thread holes in the pot, tap them, then install the wipers. I would have bought an entirely new pot with the wipers from Ferdco but I'd hate to have a spare pot lying around taking up space.

Ed

[esantoro]

Art,

In a post of yours in this thread, you mention that you use oil in your lube pot. Are you using lilly white oil? I'm about to install thread wipers similar to what you have and use the lube pot full time. Previously I had used lexol in the pot.

Ed

[Art]

Hi Ed,

I use Weaver's Silicone Thread Lube in the threaded needle machines. I use Lily oil or Campbell/Randal light machine oil to lubricate the machines. I use wax to lubricate the linen thread on the Campbell Needle and Awl machine.

However you could use any lightweight mineral oil in a pinch, helps if it is colorless, and mix that with neatsfoot oil for your own custom blend, however organic oils will oxidize if not fully hydrogenated (saturated).

Art

[esantoro]

Thanks Art.

It hasn't been that easy finding silicone thread lubricant. I ended up having to buy a 5 gallon container from Clearco, thinking that maybe others on the forum may want to buy some off me, as long as I can find a way to bottle it up securely.

$22 a gallon, plus whatever shipping costs.

ed

[esantoro]

Hi,

Does anyone know where I can buy one of these standard cast iron lube pots for the 441 that doesn't come with the thread wipers. Soon I will be trying my hand at drilling and tapping the one I have to install a thread wiper but want a backup just in case I screw it up. Right now I'm using Bruce's idea of a little sponge cube atop the pot, which works marvelously. Until I get a backup pot, I'm not going to tempt fate. Besides, I'm having some difficulty locating a 7/16-20 tap.

Ed

[esantoro]

I have the 25/64 bit for the hole but I've been having some trouble finding a 7/16-20 tap to prep the threaded hole for the Ferdco thread wipers. ANy suggestions for a source?

On a related note, though ferdco's wipers are engineered very nicely, we should have a contest for the best improvised thread wiper. Bruce's sponge is awesome, and does make changing thread very easy. It got me to thinking about what other types of wipers are possible.

Ed

[Luke Hatley]

HEY ED... WHERE IS THE PARTY TONIGHT ????

THREAD LUBCRIATE POT... I HAVE FASTENED TWO PCS OF FELT TOGETHER

THEN USE MINERAL OIL TO SATURATE THE FELT AS IT IS PULLED

THRU THE FELT. I HAVE ONLY USED THIS SETUP FOR OLD LEATHER IN SADDLE REPAIR.

[esantoro]

HEY ED... WHERE IS THE PARTY TONIGHT ????

THREAD LUBCRIATE POT... I HAVE FASTENED TWO PCS OF FELT TOGETHER

THEN USE MINERAL OIL TO SATURATE THE FELT AS IT IS PULLED

THRU THE FELT. I HAVE ONLY USED THIS SETUP FOR OLD LEATHER IN SADDLE REPAIR.

Hi Luke,

That sounds like a good idea.

Fold over some felt an inch wide, stitch it closed. set it between the thread exit hole atop the lube pot and the pig's tail, ala Bruce's sponge....yes.... have a few of these set aside. This is a twist on the sponge idea.

Merry Christmas,

ed