lubricant.

jimbogibbo · 05-07-2007, 08:40 AM

what is a good lubricant for the gears and joints on my trains?

**MasonJar** · 05-07-2007, 10:32 AM

Labelle makes a good line of plastic friendly lubricants - grease and oil in various weights.

Use grease on gears, and light or medium oil (assuming HO scale) for everything else - bearings, siderods (steamers only

), etc.

Andrew

Gil Finn · 05-08-2007, 12:11 PM

How is vasoline of plastic and 3 in one oil. I have always used what was at hand. Am I doing harm to my HO engines?

**MasonJar** · 05-08-2007, 12:24 PM

While those are good lubricants for their respective uses, I think the primary problem with them for models is that they are too thick. The engine will have to work harder simply to move, leading to early wear, and shorter life. And I am not entirely sure that vasoline is plastic-compatible... On metal gears, it probably doesn't do any harm, but there are definitely better things out there. Sewing machine oil is a good substitute, as it is a very light oil. Clipper oil is probably ok too. "Bunker C" oil is right out...!

Andrew

Andrew

05-07-2007, 08:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
jimbogibbo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 59	lubricant. what is a good lubricant for the gears and joints on my trains?

05-07-2007, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
MasonJar It's not rocket surgery The Gauge Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 6,632	Labelle makes a good line of plastic friendly lubricants - grease and oil in various weights. Use grease on gears, and light or medium oil (assuming HO scale) for everything else - bearings, siderods (steamers only ), etc. Andrew __________________ Check out The Gauge's Modular Layout Forum Questions? Visit The Academy at The Gauge for all kinds of How-To's Planning a layout? Try the Givens and Druthers form

05-08-2007, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gil Finn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bergoo W Va Posts: 1,546	How is vasoline of plastic and 3 in one oil. I have always used what was at hand. Am I doing harm to my HO engines? __________________ This Space For Rent

05-08-2007, 12:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
MasonJar It's not rocket surgery The Gauge Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 6,632	While those are good lubricants for their respective uses, I think the primary problem with them for models is that they are too thick. The engine will have to work harder simply to move, leading to early wear, and shorter life. And I am not entirely sure that vasoline is plastic-compatible... On metal gears, it probably doesn't do any harm, but there are definitely better things out there. Sewing machine oil is a good substitute, as it is a very light oil. Clipper oil is probably ok too. "Bunker C" oil is right out...! Andrew Andrew __________________ Check out The Gauge's Modular Layout Forum Questions? Visit The Academy at The Gauge for all kinds of How-To's Planning a layout? Try the Givens and Druthers form

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