Moving along on the old Roundhouse 0-6-0T kit I’m building. The kit provides a pickup shoe for the insulated wheels however, power to the other side of the motor comes through the chassis, driver axels and tires. Seems like putting any lubrication on the axels would effectively insulate them from the chassis. Is my thinking wrong or should I install some sort of pickup shoe on that side also? [D)]
A drop or two of light oil on the axles will not normally insulate them. If you are concerned about lubricant insulating the axles from the frame, consider using a conductive lubricant such as the one sold by Atlas.
Thanks - the instruction sheet doesn’t say much other than keeping moving parts clean and lightly oiled. The worm is brass but the gears are plastic. What lube is recommended for them?
I’d use LaBelle #102 Plastic Compatible Gear Oil on the worm & gear - about a drop or two, no more. You could add a track pickup shoe (Tomar makes some good ones) on the frame side, if you’re worried about electrical pickup. Just fasten it with a short screw to the driver cover plate.
I always use a couple small drops of 3-in-1 oil on the axles of my metal kits. I’ve never had any issue with the oiled axles not conducting, since they have such a large surface area and constant pressure from the weight of the engine. You should be able to oil the axles of your 0-6-0T without any worry.[:D]
I have eight Roundhouse locos. I use two drops of LaBelle 102 gear oil on the worm. That takes care of the worm and worm gear. I put two drops on one of the spur gears. I run the loco slowly on the work bench so the gear oil is distributed.
I also put a puff of LaBelle 134 PTFE on the gears.
I use LaBelle 108 oil for the axles. It is a lighter oil.
Rich
Thanks all. This is the first steam loco kit I’ve built and didn’t want to mess up too badly. [:I]
I’ve also got a kit for a 2-8-0 and one for a vanderbuilt tender to go with it.