[Richard Johnson]

DB said: "I've had far too many repairs on my bench in the past stinking of 3 in 1 or WD40 that have had to be completely stripped to recommend anything but the right lubricant.

Using the correct lubricants will enhance the performance of your locos - after all, you would'nt put cooking oil into your cars engine would you.

**** 100 % agree - modellers using aerosol cans of WD40 and any similar lubricant should have their left hand removed

Biggest problems also see are (1) far too much oil) and (2) wrong kind.

Applying oil: Never straight from can or spout. Take a medium sized sewing needle and cut the end off the eye, leaving just a fork. Stick the sharp end into something to use as a handle and use this to allpy a small drop of oil where its needed. (put a drop of oil onto a disposable surface and pick it up from there )

Source of good oil: Fishing gear shops. The oil they sell stays where its put, and doesn't migrate. Same with their greases, which are excellent. The last lot I bought were called "superlube" Lots of teflon and designed to last in hostile environments, so they are good long life products.

Why not 3 in 1?: Because its a multi-use oil thats also usable as a penetrating type oil and so it just migrates everywhere - you want an oil that will stay where its put!

Cleaning a chassis of too much oil: Put it on a pile of paper towells and zap it with an aerosol of isopropyl alcohol - this will bbleast out the gunk and not hurt anything, including the motor, as it does not leave any residues.

If its really bad, strip it and use hot water and lots of detergent, then dry thoroughly

Regards

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

You said:
Does it need to be a very specialised oil? You used to be able to get 3-in-1 oil (if that is suitable) in small cans with a spout that would release one drop at a time if you were careful. I've used this on my model railway engines; I hope that this isn't doing them any harm!

***One drop of oil is enough for every bearing on a couple of large locos with some to spare. "Almost none" is about the right amount on each bearing and friction point.

Generations of modleers have economised with 3 in 1, but one tiny bottle should last a modeller a lifetime so its worth buying the right stuff. As my other post said, fishing reel oils are excellent, and as another source, so are fine clock oils from the jewellers suppliers.

Richard