Watch and Clock Oiler

This tool is used to precisely apply a small drop of oil to watch and clock bearings. It is a common tool for watchmakers and clockmakers and has many other precise oiling applications. The wire oiler features a finely tapered steel wire for picking up oil and depositing it upon touch. The tool can be made by draw filing a 7” length of 20 gage (0.045”) music wire by first reducing the diameter to a point near the tip and then tapering the diameter farther and farther up the wire. Finally, chucking the wire in a cordless drill and using fine abrasive cloth between your forefinger and thumb to bring the tip to a very sharp and thin point. When this is complete the end of the music wire is bent into a loop large enough to fit a finger. A small cork serves as a handle and makes it easier to find. Use another cork to protect the tip. Dipping the fine point into light weight oils will form a very small droplet of oil near the tip and will run down to the tip. This technique allows the droplet to be precisely placed and the oil slid down the wire and onto the part.

Great post! Thanks, Paul Jones!

Thanks teacher Paul , very useful tool..
:hattip:

Thanks teacher Paul , very useful tool..
:hattip:

Very very Interesting Paul, I will for sure do one, I think it could be useful also for some delicate gluing with thin CA glue.
I will give it a try, I will tell you.
Thanks, and I wish you all a merry Christmas !

Christophe,
Thanks for the feedback.

When applying CA glue, I use the smallest sizes of crochet needles. These have a extremely fine hooks on the ends that can be dipped into a puddle of CA and the small droplet can be placed very precisely. I have been an HO scale model railroader for most of my life and love to build from kits and by scratch for buildings and rolling stock. The crochet needle technique using a puddle of CA guarantees never accidentally using too much CA and messing up your work. Trust me, I know ....

Paul

Thanks Paul! I've added your Watchmaker's Oiler to our Metalworking category, as well as to your builder page: Paul Jones' Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="/watchmaker-s-oiler"><img src="/uploads/105285/watchmaker-s-oiler.jpeg" alt="Watchmaker&#039;s Oiler" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="/watchmaker-s-oiler">Watchmaker's Oiler</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/Paul+Jones">Paul Jones</a></span> </div> <div class="tags"> tags: <a href="/tag/hand-tools">hand tools</a>, <a href="/tag/watchmaking">watchmaking</a>, <a href="/tag/oiler">oiler</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>