What kind of greas do you use in antique electric motors? I have two old motors, a few old fans, and a coffee grinder that all have grease or oil cups possibly.
Is there a difference between the motors with a hole towards the top for oil and the ones with wicks?
Older electric motors with bronze sleeve bearings require a 'light spindle oil', not grease.
You can read about 'spindle oil' with an internet search. There are several good makes of the stuff, such as 'Mobil Velocite'. The more expensive 'spindle oils' differ from 'DTE' ('dynamo, turbine, and engine' oil, the basic industrial lubricating oil), and 'hydraulic oil' in having so-called 'tackifier' additives. Some machinists are of the opinion that a light DTE oil is quite adequate for the generality of electric motor bearings.
Many of the older electric motors have oil reservoirs under the bearings, with 'wicking' materials to carry oil to the shaft. Some, like the old 'Century' make, have 'oil rings' which rotate with the shaft to carry oil up from the reservoir.
The important detail to observe when servicing oil reservoirs is that the reservoirs will often be found 'sludged', with oxydised old oil, and must be cleaned, and oil rings freed up, or wicking material replaced.
cheers
Carla
