Alex Koh Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 I have a Robbins Myers fan that needs the wick material replaced. However it measures at an odd size and I couldn't find a supplier that supports the size I need. The hole measuers about 5/16in diameter. Any thoughts on what I can do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Koh Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 Never mind I found it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 For future reference: http://www.durofelt.com/image_28.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Koh Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 4 hours ago, Chris Campbell said: For future reference: http://www.durofelt.com/image_28.html The page mentions about different density types for the wicks. Is the F-1 the type I should be using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 1 hour ago, Alex Koh said: The page mentions about different density types for the wicks. Is the F-1 the type I should be using? Actually over looked that. You dont want the firm density and in 3/8” only option. Sorry about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Koh Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 55 minutes ago, Chris Campbell said: Actually over looked that. You dont want the firm density and in 3/8” only option. Sorry about that Does the density affect the fan drastically if I use the F-1 density? I assumed it was F-1 since antique fan parts supplies only that density. I just want to check to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Koh Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 This is the fan I'm working on if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 57 minutes ago, Alex Koh said: Does the density affect the fan drastically if I use the F-1 density? I assumed it was F-1 since antique fan parts supplies only that density. I just want to check to be sure. Ironically DuroFelt is close to my house and met the lady to pick up in person. The hard felt she had was not ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Andersen Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 45 minutes ago, Chris Campbell said: Ironically DuroFelt is close to my house and met the lady to pick up in person. The hard felt she had was not ideal. Any thoughts on how these wicks are made? Is it some kind of boring tool they run through a block of felt or do they roll them directly from the raw textile? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 2 hours ago, Trevor Andersen said: Any thoughts on how these wicks are made? Is it some kind of boring tool they run through a block of felt or do they roll them directly from the raw textile? She imports the felt. Nothing made locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 May contact Darryl Hudson. Not familiar with R&M. When I went to DuroFelt years ago bought multiple items but recall passing on the larger wick thinking the hardness may wear on a shaft. However this is F1 and seems suitable https://vintagewireandsupply.com/antique-fan-wick-3-16-round/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lane Shirey Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 McMaster Carr is where I get mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 F1 graded felt is the most durable and dense industrial felt available. It absorbs and retains low-viscosity oils and is suitable for applications exposed to continual abrasion, friction, impact, or pressure. Typical uses include door bumpers, washers, wicks, and polishing blocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 The killer for a rotor/armature shaft is how much excessive pressure is behind the wick pressing it against the shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Excessive pressure = hardness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 18 minutes ago, Chris Campbell said: Excessive pressure = hardness Excessive pressure = Pressure. Your wick needs just enough length to lube the shaft/bearing without bottoming out the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Nyman Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 The difference between the two wicks looks like about 1/2 inch ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 (edited) Vintage Fan Wick supplies (vintagewireandsupply.com) F1 felt in white. " Its high density and high quality provides wear and abrasion resistance when used for polishing, wicking, cushioning, wiping, and gasketing." McMaster-Carr F1-F3 Felt in white. "This firm felt provides wear resistance when used for polishing, wicking, cushioning, wiping, and gasketing." Duro-Felt Products (durofelt.com) 1/8", 3/16" felt wick offered in F-5 MEDIUM density. 1/4" F-7 density. 3/8" F1 high density. Edited January 5 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 12 hours ago, Russ Huber said: Vintage Fan Wick supplies (vintagewireandsupply.com) F1 felt in white. " Its high density and high quality provides wear and abrasion resistance when used for polishing, wicking, cushioning, wiping, and gasketing." McMaster-Carr F1-F3 Felt in white. "This firm felt provides wear resistance when used for polishing, wicking, cushioning, wiping, and gasketing." Duro-Felt Products (durofelt.com) 1/8", 3/16" felt wick offered in F-5 MEDIUM density. 1/4" F-7 density. 3/8" F1 high density. Industrial Felt for Resilient Padding SAE F-5 Felt is a heavy-duty 95% wool industrial felt. Slightly less dense than harder F-1 and F-3 felts, F-5 is an ideal felt for floor mats, seat pads, and other applications that require solid cushioning. Its other applications include dust shields, wipers, grease retainer washers, wicks, and vibration mountings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Andersen Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 On 1/4/2024 at 7:06 PM, Chris Campbell said: She imports the felt. Nothing made locally. Ill check around on Alibaba then lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 On 1/4/2024 at 11:39 PM, Russ Huber said: Vintage Fan Wick supplies (vintagewireandsupply.com) F1 felt in white. " Its high density and high quality provides wear and abrasion resistance when used for polishing, wicking, cushioning, wiping, and gasketing." McMaster-Carr F1-F3 Felt in white. "This firm felt provides wear resistance when used for polishing, wicking, cushioning, wiping, and gasketing." Duro-Felt Products (durofelt.com) 1/8", 3/16" felt wick offered in F-5 MEDIUM density. 1/4" F-7 density. 3/8" F1 high density. I wouldn't get your undies in a bunch over the wool densities seen above. As you can see in the suppliers above that you have been purchasing from the use of high density F1 wicking. As long as it transfers and holds oil, it is doing its job. You just want to make sure the wick is just seated on the rotor/armature shaft at correct length under factory spring pressure. A number of fans back then ran around the clock 24/7. If the wick was seated on the shaft improperly with too much pressure, over the years of frequent operation the groove you see in this shaft, or worse will be the outcome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Carmody Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lane Shirey Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 All that being said, the McMaster Carr felt is all I use and works perfectly and closely resembles the density of a “cleaned” original wick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Andersen Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 On 1/4/2024 at 7:06 PM, Chris Campbell said: She imports the felt. Nothing made locally. I researched this a bit more. Apparently there is a whole crafting area called wet felting. You need raw wool fibers and other simple materials and can roll ropes of it. I don't know how the density is increased yet. I'm guessing you can add wool and keep re-rolling it and compressing it until you get something close to F1 felt. I don't know that I have the motivation to try it. I need to hang out at the fabric stores hoping there's a felter that will come by haha. My late great grandma was one but it is hard to find a milliner these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lane Shirey Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 If you have an odd sized wick, just use the method I use for the small Vortalex and Whiz wicks. Go to a hobby shop and buy a length of brass tubing with the INSIDE diameter of the wick you want. Them buy a thick sheet or block of felt. Cut a 3” piece of tubing and bevel the outside of one end of the tubing with a grinder. Then add some serrations with a file. Chuck it in your drill and bore it into the block of felt. The piece inside of the tube is your new wick. Works like a charm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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