I recently have been working on my 1960 M3 after taking the organ out of storage after 20 years. This had the front cover still on it so the insides are very clean. Tube checked and replaced as needed amp tubes. Hammond oil to left cup for scanner and motor, both middle and right cups had three doses of filling cup, that was Friday night. Saturday checked and had some squealing bearings so I left it alone. Sunday night so two days later: tonight, I realized that some heat might get the oil to flow better. After ten minutes of going up and down the generator on the bottom side slowly back and forth, I started the organ and had NO SQUEEALING!! When I shut down the generator it ran for 16 seconds until it stopped. I imagine this might be rare? but if your organ is squealing give it some loving heat! Johnne in Clallam Bay, WA..
That's a good question. I suppose it must dry out and evaporate to some degree, although we don't think of oil doing that at room temperature. Every Hammond has a distinctive smell inside, which must mean at least some particles are airborne all the time.
Small amounts are recommended yearly in the service manual, but in truth, they do just fine for many years if they're not used heavily. This particular one from the '60s most likely hadn't ever been oiled since it was a single-owner living room instrument, so it was long past time regardless.
I recently have been working on my 1960 M3 after taking the organ out of storage after 20 years. This had the front cover still on it so the insides are very clean. Tube checked and replaced as needed amp tubes. Hammond oil to left cup for scanner and motor, both middle and right cups had three doses of filling cup, that was Friday night. Saturday checked and had some squealing bearings so I left it alone. Sunday night so two days later: tonight, I realized that some heat might get the oil to flow better. After ten minutes of going up and down the generator on the bottom side slowly back and forth, I started the organ and had NO SQUEEALING!! When I shut down the generator it ran for 16 seconds until it stopped. I imagine this might be rare? but if your organ is squealing give it some loving heat! Johnne in Clallam Bay, WA..
Where does all the oil go over the years? Is it evaporating?
That's a good question. I suppose it must dry out and evaporate to some degree, although we don't think of oil doing that at room temperature. Every Hammond has a distinctive smell inside, which must mean at least some particles are airborne all the time.
I haven’t oiled mines since the 70’s
Small amounts are recommended yearly in the service manual, but in truth, they do just fine for many years if they're not used heavily. This particular one from the '60s most likely hadn't ever been oiled since it was a single-owner living room instrument, so it was long past time regardless.