Vintage Miller Compressor lubrication? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

newlite4 · 30th Apr 2014, 3:23 pm

I have had this old airbrush compressor for a few years now and just use it as an airduster. I am unsure what to do regards lubrication. It is a standard piston type with vented crankcase and I assume that I just need to pour a few eggcups full of machine oil into said crankcase either into the oil fill hole? or direct into the rectangular breather slot.
Neil

Tractorfan · 30th Apr 2014, 8:41 pm

Hi,
I'm not familiar with this compressor, but I used to work with enormous compressors that supplied air for the various telemetry instruments on large oil fired generating plant (500 Mw). The air had to be dry and free from any oil mist, thus the compressors were fitted with special piston rings which were self-lubricating and required no oil.
Perhaps yours is oil free as well? If the crankcase is vented and you put oil in, it will most likely be sprayed everywhere when the compressor starts up. I notice that there's a hole at the front. This is most likely for lubricating the front bearing. A few drops of light oil would probably do.
Airbrushing would need clean dry air too.
Just a thought, I could be wrong though.
Cheers, Pete.

AC/HL · 1st May 2014, 12:22 am

A quick Google found this, have a dig round: http://www.airbrushtech.info/AIRBRUS...hive/index.php

newlite4 · 1st May 2014, 9:30 am

Thanks both for your help, I have cleared some dirt from the front filler hole so I may just top-up a little for now and see how it goes,
Neil

30th Apr 2014, 3:23 pm	#1
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Vintage Miller Compressor lubrication? I have had this old airbrush compressor for a few years now and just use it as an airduster. I am unsure what to do regards lubrication. It is a standard piston type with vented crankcase and I assume that I just need to pour a few eggcups full of machine oil into said crankcase either into the oil fill hole? or direct into the rectangular breather slot. Neil Attached Thumbnails __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.

30th Apr 2014, 8:41 pm	#2
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,184	Re: vintage miller compressor Hi, I'm not familiar with this compressor, but I used to work with enormous compressors that supplied air for the various telemetry instruments on large oil fired generating plant (500 Mw). The air had to be dry and free from any oil mist, thus the compressors were fitted with special piston rings which were self-lubricating and required no oil. Perhaps yours is oil free as well? If the crankcase is vented and you put oil in, it will most likely be sprayed everywhere when the compressor starts up. I notice that there's a hole at the front. This is most likely for lubricating the front bearing. A few drops of light oil would probably do. Airbrushing would need clean dry air too. Just a thought, I could be wrong though. Cheers, Pete. __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

1st May 2014, 12:22 am	#3
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Vintage Miller Compressor lubrication? A quick Google found this, have a dig round: http://www.airbrushtech.info/AIRBRUS...hive/index.php

1st May 2014, 9:30 am	#4
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Vintage Miller Compressor lubrication? Thanks both for your help, I have cleared some dirt from the front filler hole so I may just top-up a little for now and see how it goes, Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.