Sarah Winfield
Registered
Most of my stock has plastic wheels/axles and plastic axle guards. What is the most efficient method of improving their running please?
Thanks,
Sarah Winfield
Thanks,
Sarah Winfield
Improving running of plastic wheels in plastic axle guards.
- Thread starter Sarah Winfield
- Start date
Check the back-to-back measurement.. From memory, 41mm comes to mind, but those who know will be along to admonish me in a minute!
A little lubrication will help.. they should spin freely.. I prefer a little graphite, but others will say it conducts, so should not be used. - I did say a little!
LGB 50019 used sparingly on the bearings will help. But best bet is to swop to (when you can a set or two at a time) Metal Wheels, Bachmann are better value than LGB Pricewise and nearly as reliable. I personally do not rate other makes though some will disaagree with that statement.
I personally would not agree with the 3in1 suggestion on any type of Plastic.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Noooo - 3 in 1 doesn't like some plastics.
Use a model railway oil such as Ezelube
But yes, metal wheels are best
Begone with you, Heathen!
'3 in 1' contains varnishes, and other sticky 'nasties'.. Use it on your gardening tools, but not a finely-honed German model!
Whoops, sorry Sarah, I've obviously dropped a clangerBegone with you, Heathen!
'3 in 1' contains varnishes, and other sticky 'nasties'.. Use it on your gardening tools, but not a finely-honed German model!
Greg Elmassian
Guest
The carriers in silicone spray normally attack plastic. Not good.
Plastic wheels make no difference about lubrication, it's only the axle and the journal. I prefer dry lube for plastic journals. I use oil in metal journals.
Greg
Plastic wheels make no difference about lubrication, it's only the axle and the journal. I prefer dry lube for plastic journals. I use oil in metal journals.
Greg
playmofire
Registered
I'm puzzled by the plastic axles. I have Playmobil and LGB stock with plastic wheels, but they have metal axles. I use a drop of LGB 50019 Special Oil, so far without any problems.
Greg Elmassian
Guest
i think that is:
plastic wheels
AND
axles in plastic
NOT
plastic wheels and axles
IN
plastic
plastic wheels
AND
axles in plastic
NOT
plastic wheels and axles
IN
plastic
It is not the axles but the bearing that they run in that is the issue. As I said earlier LGB 50019 is the correct lub for this location. One can see on second hand stock that has been abused where the bearing has worn to a sort of egg shape all because no lub has been used over many years of running. There are equivalents out there but I always use the LGB 50019 cos I know what tube to use when I get to maintaining me wagons.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
If you can get hold of the Hob-e-lube multipack, it has dry graphite as well as plastic friendly oils of varying viscosity, and greases
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Slightly drifting, but the Bachmann plastic wheelsets are to be avoided like the plague - the back-to-back is wrong, and they jump through the points
korm kormsen
Registered
older plastic wheels of different makers (including LGB) were made of one piece of plastic. wheels, aixle, aixle stubs and all.
instead of oil i use vaseline for greasing the bearings. (btw, for the gears of locos as well)
haven't noticed any negative effect in the 48 years i'm in largescale/G-scale.
instead of oil i use vaseline for greasing the bearings. (btw, for the gears of locos as well)
haven't noticed any negative effect in the 48 years i'm in largescale/G-scale.
Greg Elmassian
Guest
Organic oils/jellys seem to be fine on our stuff, i.e. if you can put it on your skin or eat it, it seems all right, although Olive Oil will turn rancid after a while!
I use and recommend the Hob-E-Lube products, reasonable cost, good product. I like the "gel" greases for their ability to stick to gears, but liquify like oil under pressure (better lubrication).
I try to use dry lubricants where I can, it seems to get less contamination from dirt and moisture.
Lots of different lubes will work, and not all "bad" oils will attack all plastics, so you can find people that have used 3 in 1 oil successfully, and those who have had catastrophic failures with it.
There always seems to be someone hell bent to show a really cheap solution, but the quantities we use, the cost is negligible so I always a quality plastic compatible product.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Greg
I use and recommend the Hob-E-Lube products, reasonable cost, good product. I like the "gel" greases for their ability to stick to gears, but liquify like oil under pressure (better lubrication).
I try to use dry lubricants where I can, it seems to get less contamination from dirt and moisture.
Lots of different lubes will work, and not all "bad" oils will attack all plastics, so you can find people that have used 3 in 1 oil successfully, and those who have had catastrophic failures with it.
There always seems to be someone hell bent to show a really cheap solution, but the quantities we use, the cost is negligible so I always a quality plastic compatible product.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Greg