Patent Oil Filter,

Progress, Volume I, Issue 9, 2 July 1906, Page 227

Patent Oil Filter,

A tnal of a patent oil filter which is claimed to effect a saving of from 70 to 80 per cent, was recently witnessed by a number of interested persons at the premises of Mr. John Edmonds, of Dunedm. Mr. Rees Williams, of Waikaia is the patentee. The filter consists of three cyhndical chambers. In the uppermost of these is placed 5 gallons of water, which filters through a pipe at a pressure of 2 lb. to the sq. in. to the bottom chamber, in which is contained 5 gallons of oil requiring to be filtered. The water tube from the cylinder enters the bottom cylinder at the foot, and the action of the water forces the oil up through a patent pad in the third or middle cyhndical receptacle. Any dirt or impure matter in the oil in the bottom chamber, being heavier than both the water and oil, falls to the bottom, the then partially cleansed oil being forced up through the pad into the chamber above, thereby undergoing a further cleaning. When it reaches its right chamber the oil is perfectly pure, and can be drained off at pleasure. The impure matter, which falls to the bottom of the lowest chamber, is carried off through a plug, and the process of oil cleansing repeated, the amount treated at one time being limited to 5 gallons. The experiment was produced on oil which was perfectly clear, and those present were unanimous in their praise of the filter as an oil cleanser. When used on machinery, and if good savers are placed under every bearing, the oil that is saved after passing through the bearings can be refilled and used again until it is exhausted. The filter has been m constant use on the " Duke of Gordon " dredge at Waikaia for over four months, and during that time is estimated to have effected a saving of from 70 to 80 per cent. It is of simple construction, easily understood, and not cumbersome, and can cleanse oil at the rate of nearly one gallon per minute.

The cleaning of guns and rifles is laid stress upon in the Bazaar, which says that it is most important that the weapon be properly cleaned as soon after its day's work is done as possible. Although more expensive, a wood-covered steel rod is far better than a common brass rod or pull-through. Jointed hardwood rods are made for shot guns, and are veryhandy. There are several ways of cleaning the barrels. Some prefer a slip of flannel threaded through a loop in the cleaning rod. Others recommend washing the small-bore rifle barrels with boiling water and a bristle brush. If the water is hot enough to leave the barrel dry when the operation is over, it may answer very well ; but it is not a pleasant process, especially if the barrel is foul with the residue of black powder. Another method is to use cotton wool or tow wound round the jag of the cleaning-rod ; and a small piece of cottonwool, pushed through from the breach end, is a good way of beginning. Care should be taken that it is not large enough to get jammed. After the interior of the barrel is bright and clean it can be tested by a piece of white cotton wool wound round the jag not becoming soiled when pushed through — the cotton should be well smeared with vaseline ?nd pushed and pulled through several times. Too much wool should not be wound on, or it will not leave enough vaseline behind it to protect the barrel from rust. If an expensive small-bore rifle were to be put away for any length of time, it would be economy to fill the barrel with vaseline , and so effectually prevent the rifling from becoming damaged by rust.