Antique oil can

I was given this oil can many years ago, and it was missing the cap?

I thought it might be nice to make a new one, preferably looking like the original if possible?

Anyone got one or can point me at an image anywhere? Not sure what the thread is, measures 0.1240 inches across

Although it is marked 'valve spout' the spout doesn't move, not sure if it is supposed to?

Thanks

Chris

This doesn't help, but we had one of these oilers with the family's 9.5mm Pathe Cine projector circa 1930s.

Interesting - the only thing I can find on the web refers to Rolls Royce/Bentley - a precision oiler - but they all show an angled spout and mine is straight. It could be that old, I have had it since I was a boy.

I am now wondering if the 'valve' referred to is the missing cap, open a turn or so to allow the flow and close it to stop leaks?

Chris

Thanks, this one is the same - the base is sprung like a diaphragm. If you are able to get a picture of the cap sometime this would be a great help?

Looks like something you would use on a sewing machine or similar

I could just bodge a plastic cap but thought it was worth making some effort...

Chris

A friend of mine has one similar. I have been on the lookout for one. They are nice things .

David

Hi, The Valve spout is the cap on the end of the spout which when tightened on to the spout, stops the flow of oil. when released it opens again. small brass knurled spout. Like this one!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Muller-Co-Valve-Spout-Oil-Can-Pourer-Oiler-Tin-Valvespout-Vintage-Greaser-Old-/221256022573

Phil.

I was given this one ina box of random tools. Alas! i left it behind at Derby SMEE and it has not been seen since

Easy come, easy go.

The bit on top unscrews to allow oil to be dispensed by clicking the base. I am sure that in the past I have seen one or more with a thin extension pipe fitted.

<edit> I am now wondering if the 'valve' referred to is the missing cap, open a turn or so to allow the flow and close it to stop leaks? - that is exactly how it works.</edit>

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 28/04/2014 21:30:04

There's a great old advert here

MichaelG.

Size 0.124" looks like a fairly course sinusoidal profile............. probably/ possibly 1/8 whitworth.

Hi there, all,

Back in the late 1940s, when I was going through my aeromodelling phase, the Valvespout can was popular as a container for the ether/castor oil fuel used for the compression/ignition ('Diesel' ) engines.

I seem to remember that beside the conical model there was also a version with a flattish square body.

The ones I remember had a brass spout - the one in the OP's photos look more like steel. Maybe it's plated?

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 29/04/2014 09:19:51

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 29/04/2014 09:20:33

What a knowledgeable and helpful lot you are!

I think the can I have IS plated brass - and I thought the 'artisan' poster was great I now have an idea of the original shape potentially

Not sure how the valve would work, if there is a hole in the cap closing it would not close the hole in the spout?? Must be something cunning inside...

That is of course if I can work out what the thread is, think it is 1/8 but I'll have to beg borrow (or buy!) some imperial thread gauges - thought it might be UNF/UNC but had not considered Whitworths (I am mostly metric)

I can see the material cost being 20p and the tooling 20 quid <g>

This has been a great help. thank you all

Chris

This is the one I have, identical to yours, which I bought at a model engineering show a few years ago.

Looks like someone has forced off the valve (it doesn't just screw off) and this would have to be remade, preferably in stainless to match the plated remainder. Without wrecking this or a similar Valvespout oil can the inside is something of a mystery. As there are plenty of different types of Valvespout oil cans around with the same type of valve (usually in plain brass finish) you might find a 'beaten up' old one, remove the whole spout and with the aid of a simply-turned adaptor piece on the stem fit it to your incomplete can. Don't bother with solder because of the plating -bond it instead.

It almost looks as though the tip is made in two bits, the knurled bit looks as if it is fitted over the forward conical bit. My guess is that you may find an O-ring, and a ball for a valve, and the two parts screwed together.

Ian S C

Thank you Chris - and nuts, I had a feeling that the cap had something clever inside and it had been forcibly removed Think you are correct Ian, if only I had a diagram!

I can still make a plain cap (no hole) but perhaps will look around for another to see if I can swap the valve spout over, I'll have a look through the 'junk' boxes at the next few shows to see what turns up.

Would have been nice to have given it a new lease in life, I already have a few plastic dropper oil cans but it's not the same

Chris

Chris,

At the risk of stating the obvious ... they appear to still be marketing Valvespout. So the easy [boring] answer would be to have a look at one of the new ones.

... Probably gone Metric by now; but the basic design of the valve is likely the same.

MichaelG.

Got it !!

Here is the Patent

MichaelG.

Nice one MichaelG. Here's a picture from my R/C model aircraft fueling container bought in the 1980s. I assume the "ribs" at 13 and 20 on the patent drawing are swaged in on assembly, you can see  depressions on the photo that could be made by a swageing wheel.

I agree about the thread probably being 1/8" BSW

HTH

Rod

Edited By Roderick Jenkins on 29/04/2014 15:07:35