I got a 6" length of woven graphite string through the site we all love! I've unraveled it, and got them in an air tight container. Question is:
Should I give them a few squirts of oil, for the string to moisten, or
Should I leave them 'Dry', to swell up around the piston rod?
Thanking everyone in anticipation!
Paul
I'm no expert on this, but I have some graphite powder and if I saturate a string with this, nothing will ever disapair in storage. I assume this is the way they do sutch strings, and adding some oil or grease. If I got it right from Mr. Apeltons videos, he soaks the string in oil when he assembles the packing. In regular use I assume the string will get enough oil naturaly from the engine, until it's worn out.
Hi Paul,
I have got selection of graphited yarn, all odd bits, sizes and lengths bought for various jobs over the years.
Not really thought about them, they just sit in the plastic bags they came in until I need a bit.
Never had a problem, cut off a length and use it, normally the oil used on rebuilding the engine soaks into the yarn and off you go.
Hope that helps?
Ray
Never bothered oiling packing just unwrapped it from waxed paper in box. It came in two types formed rings that were square in cross section and sized for particular shafts, and string in about five different diameter's from 1/8" up to 1/2".
Regards,
Gerald.
I have a Dax cobra which is fitted with a V12 Jaguar engine. The rear crankshaft oil seal is graphited woven construction. This is dry when purchased and is soaked in oil when fitted. The seal seems to have no "shelf life" before fitting but if the engine is left without running for any time (i.e. without oil circulation) the crank will wear badly on startup. I know it's not exactly the same problem as few steam engines rev to 7000 r.p.m. but I would imagine the fact that the seal is supplied dry and oiled when needed would indicate that the woven packing can be left without any treatment until needed.
When I was using it at work it was on water circulation pumps driven by 5hp electric motors, we installed it dry and it soaked up water over time. Usually replaced packing every year, everyone hated doing it not only was it a pain to do, but your hands got covered with the graphite and little flakes that I think may have been mica. It was hard to remove from your hands and if you touched anything it got mess up with it.