Since my appeal for a starter switch for the Holtzer-Cabot motor
(model ST18), I was able to make a replacement for the broken part, and
the motor is now running.  However, I am not sure about the lubrication
arrangements.

The steel main shaft runs in plain bronze bearings.  Each bearing has
a hole on its upper side, and above that the motor casting is fashioned
into a well about 1" deep and 3/8" diameter.  In the top of the well
is a push-in metal cap, with a hole in the middle which has a wire
through it dipping down into the well.

This well was partly filled with thickish grease, but has obviously had
oil added in the past.  As far as I am aware, grease is no good for
lubricating this type of bearing, but oil in the well will probably
drain away through the bearings quite quickly (making a mess on the way).

Does anyone else have one of these motors, and if so can they tell me
what the proper method of lubrication is?  Should there be some sort of
felt or other material to hold oil?  All suggestions welcome.

Also, the motor in question is rated at 40 Hz but will be run on 50 Hz
in the UK (through a transformer to 110V).  I don't have the original
pulley, so am not sure what pulley size to fit.  The motor runs at
about 1440 rpm, on no load.  What should be the running speed of the
box pump on a Seeburg L, so I can work out the correct pulley size?

Yours hopefully,
John Farmer, UK
http://www.musicanic.com/

 [ See http://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Tech/Motors/drawings.html 
 [ Within the oil well is a clean felt wick moistened with SAE 50
 [ non-detergent motor oil.  The oil well is covered by a setscrew.
 [ -- Robbie