Gear grease? Plastic compatible loco oil? Teflon?
Something that doesn’t attract/hold too much loose ballast “crumbs”, human hairs, etc. should (WHEN) it falls into the ring gear track? I use a cake cover to keep dust off/out, but something always seems to make it’s way into the pit eventually.
Thanks
I used 85 weight Nano oil for the drive gears and 10 weight Nano oil for the bushings on my recent Walthers 90’ turntable kit build. The gears quieted down and the mechanism sped up significantly almost as soon as the 85 weight oil was applied. Lubricating the bushings didn’t seem to make much difference in operation but it is probably a good idea to prevent wear.
I also applied a tiny amount of #10 to the bogie wheel axles and they turn very smoothly. Note that I replaced the original bogie wheels with brass wheels and axles.
Unfortunately Nano oil is exactly that - oil. It will hold on to the hair and dust bunnies. The turntable has not been installed yet so I don’t know how bad the accumulation will be, but one thing I am going to do is caulk the motor/gear housing to the bottom of the pit. I will also seal up the holes where the wiring enters the housing. After doing that, the only place where grime can get into the gears will be past the top bushing. The bushing is a good fit. I added a brass sleeve to the shaft to eliminate the plastic on plastic wear. Hopefully not too much junk will get into the mechanism. How much builds up on the bogie wheel axles remains to be seen.
FWIW, Nano Oil is the best lubricant I have ever used. All you need are the #10 and #85 weights. The #5 is essentially penetrating oil.
Dave
I have been using Labelle #134 Teflon Lubricating Powder…It’s white, but once the excess wears away, it will leave a very slippery coating on anything You use it on and will not collect dirt. I use it on coupler pockets, wheel journels and gearing in My operating swing bridge. Does a good job in My opinion…so I continue to use it. I stay away from any type oil, except for Motor shaft bushings/bearings. I also use Labelle #106 Plastic compatible lubricating grease, for all Engine gearing/drive train, a little bit goes a long way. Been using that particular lube on 1/8’‘/1/14’’ scale RC Trucks and it does a fine job.
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
Truck has a three (3) speed trans in it, just like the real thing with shifting forks that slide into different gear ratios, works like a charm with the #106 grease:
Thanks Dave and Z. The teflon appeals for it’s lack of dust “collectabiliity”. I’ll give that a try. It’s amazing how while even being on top of dust, loosened ballast debris control and covering the turntable, vacuuming prior to a session, etc., “stuff” still seems to get in there!
WARNING:
I have just been told by a reliable source that Nano Oil will destroy plastics Edit: styrene.
Please read this:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/261415.aspx
Dave