Where to Oil Vintage Emerson Exhaust Fan Oiling
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Reviewing a few hundred pages of catalogs, technical bulletins and salesman info I found related offerings.
I found no description of grease recommended. We just used a general purpose grease in the past and I use a lithium based grease now.
Historically I see the first successful oil well drilled in the USA was August 28, 1859.
Dr. John Ellis founded the Continuous Oil Refining Company September 6, 1866, (later Valvoline), and then quit his medical practice. His lubricant was all petroleum. Before that lubrication was done with animal and vegetable fats.
All early Emerson fans and motors beginning with the 1891 Meston were oil lubricated.
Excerpts from Emerson;
1892 Meston sewing machine motor--"The bearings of the motor are self-oiling and require no attention except an occasional drop of oil, say once a day, when run continuously."
1893 catalog--"SELF-OILING BEARINGS.--We consider this feature one of the most important in our motor, and claim for it absolute cleanliness and freedom from oil throwing, which is all-important in a motor used in offices and residences. Below the shaft in each bearing we provide an oil well or reservoir, which is filled with a highly absorbent packing thoroughly saturated with oil. This, pressing against the under side of the shaft, provides just enough oil for its lubrication, but not enough to spatter. A few drops of oil occasionally in the oil hole above the shaft is all that is necessary, as it is at once absorbed by the packing below and supplied to the bearing as required."
1896 catalog--Descriptive and Explanatory chart of Meston Ceiling Fan--"F. Oil Hole for motor Shaft.--G. Oil Space for Motor Bearings."
1897 catalog--"In designing our bearings, we have left a large chamber between the two bearings for lubricant, and we fill this with a special graphite lubricant, which is supplied to the shaft as required by a strip of the finest felt. We have found, as usual, that the best method is also the simplest. This lubricant will not throw oil, and will last indefinitely. There are no springs or other moving parts to get out of order. If it should become dried up or hard, a few drops of lubricating oil, in the oil hole, will put it in perfect condition again."
Note; describing Meston Motor for Small Power Purposes.--"They run free at about 4,000 turns per minute,"
More 1897 catalog--"On this motor there is only one bearing to oil and only one place to oil it, and we believe there will be only one time it will ever need oiling, and that is when it is started at the beginning of the season.- - - By a unique device about one-half of the oil is carried to the top of the shaft, thoroughly lubricating same every time he motor is started, and runs down again when the motor is stopped, ensuring perfect lubrication until the oil is actually used up."
1900 catalog--"This is the first Direct Connected Alternating Current Exhaust Fan placed on the market, " It is obviously oiled and not greased.
Technical Data--April 20, 1918--The practice of packing a can of oil with oscillating fans, non-oscillating fans and power motors has been abandoned. From this date, a large percentage of motors shipped will be found without oil.
Customers complaining of lack of oil are to be advised that the practiced of furnishing oil has been discontinued by reason of the shortage of cans, due to war conditions, and a desire to conserve the supply of such material to make it available for the conservation of food, in accordance with the Government's request.
It is not now as important to supply oil with motors and fans as it was ten years ago when the practice was inaugurated. Oil of suitable grade is now obtainable in almost every community from automobile supply houses and filling stations. Customer should be advised to secure a good mineral lubricating oil of medium weight, equivalent to the lightest grade engine oil used for automobiles.
The practice of furnishing l/2 ounce of oil in can with wood-blade type ceiling fans will be continued and oil will also be supplied with Duplex Rotary ceiling and column fans."
1918 (starting fans)--Supply oil before starting, through oil cup at back, raising cap on oil cup. Oil fan monthly, a little at a time using oil furnished with fan; never use lark (lard?), olive, cotton-seed or such oils." for oscillator gears--"repack gear case with good lubricating grease. (not vaseline)
1923 Bulletin no. 3513--The new line of ventilating fan motors shows adjustable grease cups on top.
1928 catalog shows the ventilating motors now fully enclosed, also with adjustable grease cups.
Enough already! Or too much!
The Emerson downtown St. Louis plant shown from the 1928 catalog. This is now an empty lot!
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Where to Oil Vintage Emerson Exhaust Fan Oiling
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