[modeleng] Re: Lubricating oils

Gent's,

Just something for you to think about.....

Additives are something to be extremely warey of. Additives such as 
Molybdenum disulfide (which is the form that the molybdenum is in), is 
designed for rolling element bearing and slow moving hardened steel on 
hardened steel bearing surfaces. It is extremely hard, and must be crushed 
into the pores of the hardened steel for it to be of any benefit. Due to 
it's hardness, and chrystaline structure, it behaves as grinding paste in 
situations where you have standard dissimilar metal bearings. EG GM bronze 
on steel, PB bronze on hardened steel, cast iron on cast iron, on steel, 
hardened steel.

Teflon is another "too good to be true" additive. As long as it doesn't get 
too hot, it's OK. But if it exceeds it's critical tempurature, it breaks 
down into hydroflouric acid, which is extremely nasty stuff. You need to be 
careful of where you put it in our hobby.

Graphite. Be very careful with this one. There are 2 structures that 
graphite comes in. Spherical and chrystaline. The spherical graphite is the 
stuff to use for dissimilar metal bearings. It's very soft, and won't damage 
anything. Chrystaline graphite (the most commonly available variety) is only 
suitable for the same situations as Moly' due to it's hardness and shard 
forming properties. The best thing is to buy a tin of spherical graphite and 
add it to your oil. I use "Dixson's air spun spherical graphite", and I 
recomend the same. It comes in several grain sizes, so get a small grain 
size rather than the large grain size, as it will do the job faster with our 
close tolerances.

Lithium base soap greases (and oils) are good in dissimilar metal bearings, 
as it is a soap type grease/oil and is hence non abrasive. It also sticks 
like s#*t to a blanket, so doesn't wash of easily.

As an extra.... Antisieze. Copper based antisieze is still the product of 
choice in the marine industries around the world. The aluminium based 
antisieze will often react with the metals and no longer function as 
intended. This is particuarly so with hot areas.

I use 600W steam oil on my 7.25" gauge loco, simply for ease. I have never 
had any wear problems, and my loco has done thousands of kilometers hauling 
a minimum of 2600 kg of passengers and wagons. For my smaller loco's I use 
20W/50 engine oil with a teaspoon of spherical graphite added to every litre 
(quart to you Yanks). I stir it in well, and lube away.


Cheers,

Phill.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bede@xxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:47 AM
Subject: [modeleng] Re: Lubricating oils


> For oiling 'round I use a bicycle gear oil called "Finish Line" in the
> States. Their "Wet" series of lubes is billed as:
>
>    * A wet-style lube for use in adverse conditions
>    * Super-durable synthetic ingredients create a high viscosity lube
> that protects and lubricates parts for longer (cross head, expansion
> link, big end, eccentrics...)
>    * Fortified with extreme pressure additives such as Molybdenum for
> high torque loads
>    * Includes water repelling polymers, making it Finish Line's longest
> lasting and most water resistant lubricant
>    * Proven performance for long rides, muddy off-road conditions and
> long rainy commutes
>    * The synthetic oils used are non-toxic and biodegradable
>
> Not too cheap, but seems just the ticket for our purposes!
>
> Bede in not-so-rainy Brooklyn
>
>
>
> On 6/2/2009, "Barrie Purslow" <bpduo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>Hi Ron,
>>
>>I use a top secret mix of steam oil and car engine oil. The mixing ratio 
>>is
>>hypercritical to ensure the steam oil makes it stick to the bearing 
>>surface
>>whilst the engine oil does the lubricating. I'm only sorry that I can't
>>disclose full details...................
>>
>>Barrie
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>From: "Ron Head" <ronald.head@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 7:46 PM
>>Subject: [modeleng] Lubricating oils
>>
>>
>>> Hi all
>>> I'm sorry to have descended to the level of a 'lurker' for the last few
>>> months, but I've followed all the recent threads with interest.
>>>
>>> Here's a subject that I don't think has been aired before on this list.
>>> What viscosity of oil do folk prefer for lubricating the motion, 
>>> axleboxes
>>> etc of their miniature locomotives?
>>>
>>> Opinions seem to vary on this!  Some like a sewing machine oil, others
>>> prefer something heavier (like a gear oil) on the grounds that it 
>>> doesn't
>>> get thrown out so easily.  Any comments welcome.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>> Ron
>>>
>>> Sunny Oxford, UK
>>> MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST.
>>>
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>>> line.
>>>
>>
>>MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST.
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>>
> MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST.
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