Should ther be anything under a ball oiler

[sweeks888]

Greetings... I'm replacing a couple ball oilers on my Precision Matthews lathe saddle and was wondering if there should be something (i.e. small sponge, cotton ball, etc.) under the ball oiler to help retain the way oil once it's squirted in there?
Looking down through the hole after the oiler was removed, it's just wide open to the ways and nothing to retain any oil. Maybe that's the point, deposite a squirt or 2 of oil under the saddle and let the wipers at either end deposite it as the saddle is moved... any thoughts?

Thank you
Steve W.

 

[jwmay]

I’ve not seen anything underneath a ball oiler except a pathway to what needs lubricant. But I’ve not seen enough different machines to say it’s a universal fact.

 

[Gaffer]

My experience is the same as jwmay's. I have an older Colchester lathe.