I just got a Labelle 106. It speeded up a few cars, but slowed down other. About 40 years ago I bought Labelle Teflon. Does mixing the two work?
[Edited by selector…I removed all the sentences from your title and placed them here.]
The Labelle 106 is a grease, it should only be used in the gears/ worm assy. The lighter oils are used on axle, motor shaft, side rods etc and bearings. For most rolling stock the needle points should remain dry in the trucks. Some will try graphite, but use care you don’t want this stuff spreading on the rails. Sounds like you need to look into metal wheel replacement. There are only limited pieces of rolling stock that require lubrication of the axles. Any axles that run in steel/ metal sideframes like Cental Valley trucks and the Walther’s pass. cars.
What do you mean by speeded up? Some roll down a slope faster than others, and some are just darned slow? You may do half of the job needed just in using a ream. There is an item available for sale that is meant to scrape out and goom the bearing surfaces inside truck sideframes where the axle points ride. I believe it is called “the tool”. LaBelle’s greases and lubes, and Hobby Lube are all excellent products. So is Dextron III Automatic Transmission Fluid…it works very well on sideframes and on the axles of steamers and their rods.
Some of the best stuff I have used was DRY GRAPHITE by Woodland Scenics.
Mike
Teflon based oils work very well, but seem to have major capillary action and get all over the place.
I’ll cast another vote for dry graphite on my rolling stock axle points. If you apply it right it doesn’t make a mess.
I use transmission fluid for my loco axles.
Give Aerocar lubes a spin - doubt you’d go back to anything else. If you can’t find it locally, Forrest Skidmore Products carries it.
Robert
Have you used ‘transmission fluid’ for a long time,…with no negative affects. Transmission fluid is a quite aggessive penetrative, and I would be concerned about the long term molecular structure of the plastic gears etc with its long term use??
There are a number of lubricants that should not be utilized on plastic parts
I began using ATF nearly four years ago on the advice of a chemical engineer in the petroleum industry who posted here. Dextron III is safe for plastics. It is used in transmissions with plastic-encased sending units to record temps. Note that I have not used it for the drive, but only for rods and wheel bearings. I used it to lube my Walthers heavyweights two years ago with no apparent ill effects, although those trucks are metal if I recall. Steamers on which it has been used so far are a BLI PRR K4s, Niagara, PRR J1, Duplex, PCM Y6b, and a PCM Y6b. There have been cases where I got a bit of a smear of the stuff on the side of a tender. I merely wiped it off with my thumb. I can detect no marring of the paint.
Of course, the fluid is stored in the plastic container in which it was shipped by the manufacturer, so I am pretty sure it must be a safe method of containment and use.
-Crandell
Others have used transmission fluid for quite a number of years and so far as I know there have been no ill effects to any of the engineering plastics.
I don’t use it, nor will I, I perfer to use a heavier bodied product(like the Labelle 106) to help close some of the loose clearances within the gearcase. I feel that these greases tend to provide a smoother, quieter drive. This may not be as true with some of the newer offerings, but has proved sucessful in reworking older drives like Athearn BB, Spectrum and old Roco.
I see your point about the trans fluid and posible problems after prolong exposure. Who knows, maybe some that have used it and even have stored locos for extended time can enlighten us. Trans fliud, for the most part, is formulated to not attack neoprene seals and more recently plastic components within a transmission. Some makes even specify their product as to be safe for these sensitive parts (Honda, Acura, Toyota etc). Even Ford and GM couldn’t be mixed years ago.
I’ve been using Dexron III/Mercon transmission fluid as a gear lubricant for years with no apparent ill effects.
I’ve used it for 2-3 years now. Lots of folks do. No ill effects at all. Dexron is plastic compatable.
Hey, thanks a heap modelers. I have a bunch of oil cans, transmission etc, I’ll check them out. I do have “the tool,” on order. I am replacing all wheels that I work on, with metal axles. I will also try the Labelle 106 on my engines gears, to see if it quiets any of them down.
Once again, lack of information leads to misunderstanding. . The truck tuner has a contour ground edge to remove scratches and flash from the bearing surfaces. This is most often caused when the truck is forced out of the mold. A toothbrush and alcohol will not accomplish this.
The tranny fluid will Not hurt plastic … but I use remington Rem Oil … has teflon in it … a small spray tube to apply in those tight places and works great . Plus does not harm plastic or get gummy .
I’ve used KY Jelly for years with out any problems.
Since my wife died, I have no other use for it…
pc