Lubrication Oil

homestyal said:
Like most I use "Steam Oil" for the lubricator, but what oil does every one use for the wheels, rods and generally where all the movements are on the chassis?
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I use gun oil.
 
Blue can 3-in-1 is good. Red can 3-in-21 is also good. Car lube oil is good. Any medium-weight lube oil is good. So long as it is metal on metal. The old Singer Sewing machine oil worked for me when I got starting into big scale railways, back in the seventies, but without a Singer store to buy it from................
 
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Would you believe chainsaw oil ? My rational - hot environment, loads of friction, fast moving reciprocating and rotating masses. Remind you of something ? (No ! Not that ! Wash your mind out now !) ? It's low cost and generally available at most garden and DIY centres. I stand to be corrected though. Max
 
Just so long as you keep,the Steam Oil Separate and know what it is most oils work for the Wheels and Valve Gear. I tend to use 20/50 but that was when I had a supply of that for the car. This was recommended by a Live Steam Sage back in the 90’s. In my Live Steam Tool Box are 2 Oil Thingmamy bobs that get the oil out with a push of a lever. The Steam Oil one has a Black Band Painted on with the words ‘Steam oil’ Crudely written on in White Paint so that I do not make mistakes.
 
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Ferrysteam said:
Sports shops sell gun oil in 3in1 size cans. It's less acid than 3in1 .
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That sounds like good advice was a little bit worried about oils that may affect the Insulation Fittings on Roundhouse Locomotive that appear to be some kind of Hard Plastic.
 
tac foley said:
Blue can 3-in-1 is good. Red can 3-in-21 is also good. Car lube oil is good. Any medium-weight lube oil is good. So long as it is metal on metal. The old Singer Sewing machine oil worked for me when I got starting into big scale railways, back in the seventies, but without a Singer store to buy it from................
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BLue 3-in-1 is what is known as "turbine" oil - designed for bearings on electric motors (e.g. fans) or small steam engines. I use that on my locomotives. I also have a bottle of synthetic oil (like Mobil 1) packaged for modelling that I found on amazon, and I now use that everywhere except the lubricator.
 
I thought 3-in-1 was a no-no, due to varnishes in it? - AND I thought that was posted on here somewhere??
 
It would seem there are at least 3 different 3 in 1, gun, blue and “standard” or I may have just misread the thread.
 
Castrol R.....................................................to a REAL motorcyclist what coal and oil and steam is to a steam locomotive nut.
 
Accucraft recommends a variety of lubricants. The choice of lubricant is dependent on the parts being lubricated. Beyond this, it seems to me that choosing the right lubricant would also depend on the environment the engine is being run in. That is, heavy oils or light grease may be contraindicated when running outside where wind and dust is prevalent. In that case, perhaps the less sticky properties of graphite would be a better choice.

3 in 1 oil was my choice for servicing American Flyer locomotives. it worked well on the drive rods and valve gear. 3 in 1 even worked in the smoke generator. However, my parents were not impressed, they focused more on some silly oil stains on the living room carpet. I was five.

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My mistake, I thought this forum thread was in electric powered models.
 
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Adding to Greg's comment above - for those who run indoors on carpets*, the black grunge does NOT come out of carpets. Except with a blow-lamp.

*Yes, there are STILL people who get the train-set out, set it up and run it around the living room/tree.
 
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