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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
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    Default Small diameter plastic oil lines on mill - what sort of tube?

    Looks like I need to replace one of the small oil lines on the knee of my TOS mill as its about 20mm too short to connect to the pump.
    There's no pressure as such, just a few drops of oil every 5 seconds or so to lube the way.



    Any idea what type the original tube might have been? Its 3mm ID, transparent, quite hard, and a brown colour. Possibly it was soft and clear when it was new.
    I was thinking of just using clear flexible PVC tube to replace it unless anyone has a better suggestion.

    Steve

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Default

    Clear PVC is not really a long term material to use in this situation as it will go hard, loses flexibility fo it easily cracks and leaks. It can also react with some oils/lubes. The best tubing is silicone - it costs more but it stays flexible for a long time.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi Steve, Guys,

    I use vinyl tube as replacement for the generator fuel lines ! Car window screen washers often use vinyl tube as well. Its much softer than PVC tube.

    Actually I've just bought a 30 mtr roll of 6 mm bore 1 mm wall clear vinyl tube to make an oiler system for the lathe. It cost me £10 from the local garage. They also have the little crimp rings to suit it.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    How about polyurethane tube used for pneumatic systems?

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BLUE-Pol...MWBU0Qi13dGbSw

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
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    Default

    Thanks everyone.
    I had a closer look last night at where the tube runs, and I’m not convinced it doesn’t have some form of retainer to keep it in place inside the casting.
    There are other retainers that I can see in different areas that consist of what looks to be a blind pin inserted next to the tubes to hold them against the casting.

    I don’t want to be forced into stripping the knee any more than I already have, so the safest thing at the moment is to make up a small barbed joiner and just add a short piece of tube to extend the existing one that’s too short.

    Steve

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
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    1,656

    Default

    You would not get something like that at you local garage in Aus any more, maybe if it was the early eighties, just fuel and groceries these days

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi China,

    Maybe caught by words having the same spelling but slightly different meanings

    Here "Garage" implies a place that repairs and services cars and vans etc. While I think that you mean what we call a "Filling station".

    As you suggest in the old days a "Garage" did everything from selling fuel, oils, parts, cigarettes, tyres and a host of things that you just don't find outside of a Supermarket.

    How times have changed !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    Revesby - Sydney Australia
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    1,183

    Default

    Nylon?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Com_VC View Post
    How about polyurethane tube used for pneumatic systems?

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BLUE-Pol...MWBU0Qi13dGbSw
    I notice that the tube is "Not posted to the UK" but is made in and supplied from Wednsebury, West Midlands, UK. the price does however reflect the cost of postage to AU. How ironic.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Syd
    Posts
    492

    Default

    Pirtek?

    Did one of the mills here several years ago - need to fix one line on another now too! The stuff I used was capillary tubing, it was black nylon(??). Trying to remember where I got it, might have been the local hydraulic place or VDO instruments, in this case, compression olives and screw-on fittings to the hardline.

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