Retrieving a ball bearing from an oilway

By applying excessive oil pressure to a 6mm button oiler on my cross-slide I pushed the oiler's ball bearing past the spring and out the other side of the casing. I shall be pleading guilty at the court-martial.

After removing the button oiler I can see that the ball bearing has fallen into the top of the oilway, which leads straight down to the ways. The ball rotates in the hole so it's not jammed solid but, so far, I can't get it out.

I've tried levering the ball with a needle, attracting it with a magnetised rod, flushing with WD40 and blowing compressed air from underneath. No luck.

I would prefer not to remove the cross-slide until all else has failed. Can anyone suggest a solution please?

Secondly, can anyone suggest a source of 6mm diameter button oilers? RDG and various ebay suppliers don't seem to stock that size.

Thanks,

Dave

rod with grease on the end

I would persist with the magnet probably combined with Neil's grease

If there is room, drill a hole very slightly bigger than the ball bearing in the end of a bit of rod, turn the wall as thin as you dare, squeeze it oval in a vice, then press it over the ball. You might need some saw cuts to weaken it

Drinking straw and suck. Don't swallow if it goes all the way!

John

A stronger magnet should do the job easily

... don't know if they are still available, but Maplin used to sell powerful little magnets with wires attached, for use as battery connectors.

MichaelG.

Neil and Roy,

My heroes!

Neil's rod and grease trick wasn't quite sticky enough to lift the ball cleanly out, but I was able to get the bearing out of the narrow oilway and into the oiler well. Grease dislodged whilst fishing about stopped the ball bearing falling back and then I was able to get it with the magnet.

I think my earlier magnet only attempt failed because a ball deep inside an oilway is surrounded by iron which also gets magnetised.

Many thanks,

Dave

Just read the other good ideas which came in while I was typing. I'm almost tempted to put the ball back to see if they work too!

Cheers,

Dave

I have also had success with a blob of freshly worked up Blutak on the end of the delivery tube from inside a Mr Muscle household spray bottle. The tubes are also useful for blowing swarf out of blind holes.

​Do a Google search for oilers, plenty of choice in all sizes

Regards

Brian

The ways of the internet defeat me sometimes. I'd searched before. Definitely no 6mm button oilers to be found anywhere. I'd bet the farm on it.

Just tried again,. Guess what - ArcEuroTrade do them.

Perhaps it's me...

Ta,

Dave

Try 'The Nipple Shop'. They will have them if anyone does, I would think.

Just be prepared for a surprise when you google 'the nipple shop '

Doug

Dave,

​A thought to prevent a future catastrophe, push a little wad of wire wool onto the space below the oil nipple when you fit the new one>

Brian

PS,. you might want to use the old time dodge on your oil can and put a small cut across the end of the nozzle with a mini hacksaw. This allows the end of the nozzle to push the ball inwards while the oil comes out the small slots to the side of the ball and hence down into the oilway.