[HAM] Leslie motors and oiling

[Dave Bishop]

Paul, the reason you're getting so much feedback on this post is that its 
not correct that "over oiling the moving parts
will not do any harm . . . ."  In fact, its often just the opposite.

Perhaps there was some misunderstanding about what Mr. Greenhill intended. 
One way to ruin a TWG would be to allow any oil to soak into the phenolic 
tonewheels or caps.  Adding excess oil to the oiling trough usually just 
means it will spill out the ends and gravity will cause an oil spot to 
develop on the base of the organ, and ultimately the floor of the house. 
That's because the wicks will only transport oil by capillary action when 
the ends are (relatively) dry.  Once the end of the wick is wet, the oil 
stops its travel, thus maintaining the correct amount of oil at the bearing. 
The reason one uses a syringe to direct oil to a stuck Hammond bearing is to 
avoid getting any oil in a place where it can splatter onto the tonewheels 
or caps.  In the same vein, when its advised to use WD-40 to loosen a stuck 
bendix gear, its with the caveat that one masks off any overspray.

If you over-oil your organ and then tilt it while moving it, there is a 
chance that puddled Hammond oil will slop into bad places.  A trough full of 
oil is a magnet for dust that can clog the wicks over the years.  These are 
other reasons why there is no advantage to over-oiling, and some risk from 
it.

It can take up to two weeks for the oil to wick to all the bearings.  Adding 
more oil doesn't make it go any faster.  Running the organ doesn't make it 
go any faster.  If the wick is broken, or a previous owner used a 
non-hammond oil contaning wax, its possible that a bearing may never get 
oil.  In the former case, its relatively easy with your organ to direct 
inject a touch of oil to the offending bearing with a syringe.  In the 
latter event, one can make a solution of 1 part Hammond oil and 1 part 
lighter fluid and let that fluid disolve the wax for a week or so, then 
re-oil with pure hammond oil.

An under-oiled TWG will usually sound noisey.  A really dry TWG will squeal 
like a pig, or a frozen tonewheel will cause a missing harmonic, or the 
organ will have a nauseating vibrato all the time.  A dry TWG will not be 
internally in tune, just low of A=440 pitch.  Rather, it will sound like a 
mis-tuned piano.  A moderately dry TWG will sound like a whoosh of hash with 
high frequency sizzle--enough to be disturbing in a quiet room.  In my 
experience the single motor Hammonds do not coast as long as the two motor 
consoles do when shut off.

The single motor on your organ has two oiling cups with caps at top center 
right and left.  Those need about 6-8 drops a year to lubricate the motor 
bushings.  The motor typically runs warm to the touch.  If you can keep your 
hand on it for a couple minutes, its probably O.K.  The most likely cause of 
a hot motor is that these bushings are dry or that the 2.5 mfd motor 
capacitor is failing.  Try oiling the motor and report back your condition 
in two weeks.

Regards,

Dave Bishop



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Chandler" <paulchandler at boltblue.com>
To: "Richard Horton" <rhorton at pennswoods.net>; "The Hammond Forum" 
<hammond at zeni.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 3:08 AM
Subject: Re: [HAM] Leslie motors and oiling


> Hmmmmm, as I suspected, there must be some drag on mine because the motor 
> is
> getting quite warm and it only takes about 4 or 5 seconds to wind down.
> In defence of the guy who sold me the oil, Bill Greenhill in UK who is an
> expert, the point he was trying to make is that over oiling the moving 
> parts
> will not do any harm especially when we are trying to rescue a neglected
> machine. Obviously, when it is up and running properly, and annual topping
> up of the wells will be fine.
> Mr Greenhill explained that if there is some drag in the system, then it
> will not run at full speed and ultimately be out of tune.
> Does the RT - 3 have the same workings as the RT 100 ?
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Horton" <rhorton at pennswoods.net>
> To: "The Hammond Forum" <hammond at zeni.net>
> Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 11:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [HAM] Leslie motors and oiling
>
>
>>I wouldnt worry too much...oil it, the try it next day. If it starts up
>> without too much trouble. doesnt make loud noises or screeches, and it
>> plays, it should be fine to use. Usually takes a few seconds for the TG 
>> to
>> wind down.
>>
>> I just checked my RT-3, and it took about 13 sec to stop.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Paul Chandler" <paulchandler at boltblue.com>
>> To: "The Hammond Forum" <hammond at zeni.net>
>> Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 5:22 PM
>> Subject: Re: [HAM] Leslie motors and oiling
>>
>>
>>> Will using the organ speed up the process of the capillary action or
>>> won't
>>> it make any difference ?
>>> And, how long will the main shaft spin after the motor has been turned
>>> off
>> ?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Paul
>>
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>>
>
>
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