Very old Taft Peirce oil metering system (Bijur predecessor?)

[DownSouth]

Makes perfect sense to me, and certainly how I thought it worked! Couldn't quite grasp why you would have a switch with three positions if two did the exact same thing..

Looking at some of my photos it looks like it may be as you explained. It's a bit hard to tell but looks like it crosses over so different contactors depending upon lever orientation. Won't be able to confirm until the weekend unfortunately.

There was no seperate switch for the rectifier on my unit - not to say it wasn't like that originally though. I suspect it got almost a full re-wire when it came to Australia.

I'll have to test the process when I get it running and let you know if flicking the switch in the opposite direction helps remove the workpiece.

 

[Rex Walters]

There was no seperate switch for the rectifier on my unit

Thanks for confirming. Leaving the transformer and rectifier powered at all times seems a little concerning though. I guess safety and power consumption weren’t quite as big a concern in wartime factories.

 

[DownSouth]

Thanks for confirming. Leaving the transformer and rectifier powered at all times seems a little concerning though. I guess safety and power consumption weren’t quite as big a concern in wartime factories.

I agree, unlikely to put my hand under the table when its running but better to be safe than sorry. Might look into a little cover to prevent accidentally touching the underside of the switch..