Lubricant grades for cylinder/ bearings ect

Hi All,

i was wondering what you guys recommend for lubricating cylinder and bearings, i have two locomotives 3.5g and 5g, steam cylinder oil comes in a variety of grades and from what iv been told an sae 460 to 530 is suitable,or higher, please correct me! As for bearing oil anything around 220 compound oil?, your thoughts and recommendations would be very welcome

thanks

a learning novice!

mark

Hello Mark,

I have found that a good quality steam cylinder oil of around 460 weight is satisfactory for everything from Ga1 to 7"+ga with moderate superheat (ie, steam drying.) For general track and workshop lubrication I have found that common hydraulic oil (ISO-68) is perfectly satisfactory for everything from motion work to spindle bearings.

I'm just about to try this link on my miniature T E have opened a bottle and have to say iy looks and feels good but the proof will come next weekend !

I'v got a beer bottle full of steam oil, ex NZR, from a AB locomotive about 50 years ago (might be more), I wonder what grade it would be? Ian S C

I have a 6 inch traction engine and have used a 460 compound oil for lubrication of bearings ,motion etc The engine was a commercial build and the oil was recomended by the maker who also provided the initial suply,and I continued to use it as there was a warranty on the engine, Compound oil works ok but it is so sticky and so difficult to clean off ,if I had another model I would use a multigrade motor oil .

sorry nigel,

but multigrade motor oil has no application at all on miniature loco or traction engines!

on traction engines a proper high pressure grade oil for the gears should be used, and proper steam loco bearing oil for the bearings.

i remain to be convinced of Morris's universal oil. i use proper steam oil for the cylinders suitable for moderate superheat, and proper loco bearing oil on everything else.

cheers,

julian