Clock lubrication

Hello all

Just delving into the world of clocks. Can anyone recommend a good general oil for clock lubrication with a uk stockist.

Many thanks.

If you google "clock oil" you will find several. Cousins, Meadows and Passmore (closed at the moment apparently) John Wardle clocks

I use this one on my smaller engines for minimal drag, not tried it on a clock though

Some time ago when people still used mechanical clocks a repairer told me he loved '3in1' oil. Not because he used it for clocks but other people did so then a little later he got the job of cleaning it and oiling it properly. Modern equivalent is probably WD40, again do not use on clocks.

Generally recognised as the top clock oil is "Moebius 8030" - a Swiss oil which doesn't oxidise leaving a sticky residue as would 3-In-1 and the like.

Not cheap I'm afraid but worth it if you want the best:-

**LINK**

I use silicone oil. The type used in vacuum diffusion pumps. It has a very low vapour pressure and this means that it lasts a long time after application.. It also doesn't oxidise readily, so it doesn't degenerate like a normal oil.

Andrew.

Edited By Andrew Tinsley on 31/10/2022 20:35:43

Cousins offerings

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/natural-oils

regards Martin

Depends on the clock. A carriage clock will need watch oils on the platform. A French clock possibly likewise. Long case will need something heavier. Suppliers like Cousins, Walsh, Meadow & Passmore or A G Thomas

When the clock maker stopped maintaining my fathers clock on a yearly base, he gave me some oil and showed me how to oil the clock. I have used this oil for 30 years to oil my fathers clock (and others) and it is still running.

Today it is the first time I looked what type it is. It shows "Shimano selected by Koga". Some kind of bicycle oil?

.

Very likely …

**LINK**

https://www.koga.com/en/about-koga/history

… and probably none-the-worse for that.

MichaelG.

What you want is this stuff; Proops were selling it a few years ago but I'm not sure if it's still available.

Don't use anchor oil. It goes gummy in less than 25 years!

Re: "PROOPS" image above......... was it any good for hens as well?

The Moebius clock oil recommended by Fowlers Fury works out at £1,200 per litre when purchased in 20 ml bottle from Amazon, certainly a tad more expensive than 3in1 oil, expensive hobby clocks. Dave W

Re " The Moebius clock oil recommended by Fowlers Fury works out at £1,200 per litre"

Over-oiling is a known cause of clock problems, more so of course with inappropriate oil.
Oil should be applied from a needle just carrying a minute amount to the spindle or oil pit.
In the early 90s I purchased 3 x 1ml of Moebius oil from M & P and after servicing many clocks since then, I have used less than 0.75ml. That part-used bottle shows no crystallisation or gum around the cap after 30 years.
The link I provided earlier to the Fleabay stockist was only to provide information. Other stockists on that site sell Moebius in 1ml bottles for about £8. Scale that up to one litre ............

you don't have a Ferrari and put Duckams 20/50 in it why would you use inferior oil on something that's taken a good portion of your leisure time making

I thought the original poster wanted something for his timekeeping equipment, this is a more specialist lubrication area.

Mike

No its certainly CLOCK oil I need. Got some on order now, and yes you are right , its not cheap.

Cheers Mike

Proops "Cock" Oil?

Really?

Seems rather sexist!

Wot about the hens?

£1200/litre, similar price to printer ink. Sounds like a similar rip off as well. It would be interesting to know what's in it that makes it so expensive. Mermaids tears?