Extra long syringe oilers

[mklotz]

Nitpicker alert: This is more of a HomeASSEMBLED tool than a HomeMADE tool. The goal here is to alert people to a useful device they can assemble for themselves.

I've long used hypodermic syringes as oilers for the miniature engines I build. They work well with the standard ~1" needles. Unfortunately, I have other jobs (like oiling squeaky bearings buried deep in an office fan that can't be easily disassembled) where a longer needle reach is essential. I've struggled with extensions made from 2 mm plastic coffee stirrers but wore my patience dangerously thin while piquing my annoyance - a dangerous combination.

Then I stumbled across Amazon's selection of long and really looong syringe needles.

4" needles

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZKLBG82...p_imgToDp&th=1

7" needles

https://www.amazon.com/30ml-Syringe-...s%2C168&sr=8-7

They have longer needles (including an incredible 20") but I think anything longer than the 7" would be too fragile and too difficult to handle.

The needles are listed as 14 gauge. [Gauge numbers, another idiotic nomenclature system.] and have the correct color for that type. Standard size for a 14 is 2.108 mm OD, 1.753 ID but when I measure these I get 1.8 and 1.48. Like wire gauges, maybe Chinese needle gauge standards are different from western ones. Obviously, the difference isn't important in this application.

Oiling the fan bearings was a perfect doodle with the 4" needle. Can barely tell it's running.



Aside: Surgeons who do spinals seem to prefer all glass syringes because they provide better tactile feedback about the needle tip location. You don't have to be a surgeon to appreciate this. Glass syringes have very little stiction compared to the more common rubber-like piston used in plastic syringes. If you decide to make an oiler like mine, buy a glass syringe; Amazon sells them, e.g....

https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Syringe...s%2C160&sr=8-4