Altex Lubrication (?)

[Banksy]

Can anyone please tell me the purpose of these two parts?

I suspect they are something to do with lubrication, in which case, what sort of oil or grease should be used, and in approximately what quantities?

And are there any other areas which might benefit from a drop of oil or grease?

Thank you.

[Ljm183]

Not sure what the recommended oil is but here,s the instructions from Hardy





I use 3in1 oil

[Banksy]

"Use the oil recommended..." Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

Thanks for that, Ljm183.

I can just hear that advice being dictated in the clipped tones of a 1950's Pathe News reader!

So, I take it that these are three lubrication ports, into each of which a little "recommended" oil should be squirted?

[Nobby]

There is indeed a third port, for the handle shaft. It usually faces upwards, but yours has been re-fitted one space clockwise. To stop grit getting in there I seal it with candle wax after oiling.

The one place you can't oil...that really needs it too...is the ball race behind the rotor. You can run oil in there from above and just let the excess run out the bottom afterwards. It's not very satisfactory but it's better than nothing.

[Banksy]

Thanks for your reply, Nobby.

Does that mean simply removing the spool with its associated washers, and dripping oil down the spindle, then slowly turning the handle to encourage the oil to migrate down behind the rotor?

[Nobby]

It's more that you want to flush the ball race clean and re-lubricate it, Banksy. A few drops onto the shaft with the round inspection plate off and a few more onto the end of the shaft under the back cover should sort it out.