[GreenKeys] Model 15 Mainshaft

[George B. Hutchison]

GreenKeyers - - -

I take a bit of umbrage with the AP statement about removing the 
mainshaft wick.

The implication is that the mainshaft wick may possibly be a living 
organism that for some reason just decides to block the mainshaft.

I have never seen any of the numerous felts in a 28 suddenly harden 
up and turn into tar. They do dry up and get rather funky when 
neglected for a long time, but I have never seen one that has 
suddenly turned to goo.

What might be the reason that the evil wick in the 15 mainshaft 
would of its own accord suddenly issue a death warrant for the 
machine by turning into a clog?

Maybe the real reason is that it has run for a considerable period 
of time without any oil being applied? Could it be that the 
components surrounding the mainshaft had suffered a prolonged 
absence of lubrication and begun to heat up, raising the temperature 
of the mainshaft itself, causing the wick and whatever lubrication 
that might be in it to congeal?

An RCA tech in a part of Washington state not near Seattle quit RCA 
and joined the AP force. For approximately six months after that day 
I went to numerous UPI clients in that part of the state cleaning up 
the results of UPI machines that had not been given regular 
maintenance by the tech who had departed. Most every one required 
rebuilding the mainshaft because it had fried and burned up.

Without the wicks a mainshaft will sling its oil out in a short 
period of time. The shaft's components will be well-oiled during 
that period of time, but ultimately  will dry up, then the heat 
begins. And heat generally takes no prisoners.

If your mainshaft has a wick in it and the oil flows readily out the 
selector end when pumped from the drive gear end, you have a happy 
mainshaft.

Do be aware of the fact that the KS-7470 oil was not very good, as 
it would readily turn to sludge just sitting there. KS-7471 Grease 
is far worse. It will dry out in a sealed can.

Good Luck,

W7TTY