How to unclog/restore Diamond Disc motor oil tubes?

[Brad]

I know that the oil tubes that run from the oil wells to various points on a Diamond Disc motor have some sort of string or batting inside to slow the oil.

How does one remove all the gunk and restore these to acceptable operation? Can whatever media in inside the tube be removed and then replaced?

If I wanted to use new media, what do I look for?

Any hints on how to re-insert the media?

(I searched the forum and could not find anything posted so far).

Somewhat related question: After I clean 100 years of grime off of the bedplate, should I just leave it be, or should I apply wax? Recommendations?

Thanks

[phononut]

Oh god!
I spent literally hours trying to unclog the oil tubes with a paperclip on my Edison DD. There was a time when I just gave up, and it still bothers me! I just oil it manually.

~Brad

[JohnM]

I clean bedplates with Gojo or Goop. When as clean as I can get them, I polish them with rottenstone polishing compound sprinkled on a final application of Goop/Gojo. After completely cleaning all residue from the bedplate, I wax it with a furniture or auto wax and buff with a soft cotton cloth.

[Brad]

Thanks guys,

I ended up taking a syringe with a long tapered plastic tip I had from a set sold for woodworking glue application, filling it with a couple of CC's of Naptha and shoving the tapered tip into each tube hole and forcing the naptha through each tube. I discovered that 3 of the 4 tubes on each of the oil wells was open, with one on each being clogged, so I have been focusing on those. The oil well on top of the 4 tubes is totally exposed on the assembly by the spindle. On the assembly that feeds the barrel winding arm, the well is under a single hole. The long tapered tip of the syringe was long enough that I could angle into each of the 4 holes.

So I think I have a method now to clean these. If you use this method, be warned that most all of the cleaning fluid you use will run out and drip below the machine.

I clean bedplates with Gojo or Goop. When as clean as I can get them, I polish them with rottenstone polishing compound sprinkled on a final application of Goop/Gojo. After completely cleaning all residue from the bedplate, I wax it with a furniture or auto wax and buff with a soft cotton cloth.

John, will this method remove any gold pin striping? What about the decals by the speed knob etc? The gold pin stripping and Edison logo are very clean and crisp, however there are other decals that are not bright. Are there any hints here?

[JohnM]

Rottenstone is an extremely fine abrasive. I've never cut through the top layer of varnish with it to damage a decal, but I suppose it could happen so proceed slowly and with caution. The idea here is to clean and polish the surface of the top coat of varnish, not to abrade through it. Use a light touch.