Trains.com

Best Grease for postwar and modern era?

6041 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 1,786 posts
Posted by cwburfle on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5:52 PM

If Dr. Tinker likes lubriplate, it's probably a good way to go.

 I have been using Labelle #106 grease for years.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Saint James, Long Island, NY
  • 666 posts
Posted by msacco on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 4:15 PM

Earl,

My tube says "white lithium grease" made by Panef Corp. Like I said I got it at a True Value Hardware store about 10 years ago here on Long Island.

    There was a great mechanic named Joe at Trainland  (sister store to Trainworld)  on Long Island, and he told me to use white lithium grease. Been using it ever since.

Found the same exact tube here. Hasn't changed:

http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/11-24-grease/white-lithium-grease-142778.aspx

 

 Mike S.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 815 posts
Posted by EIS2 on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 4:08 PM

 msacco wrote:
I've heard good things about Labelle grease, but I've been using white lithium grease for years. It's pretty cheap and I have had the same tube for 10 years or so. Works well too.

What brand do you use and where do you get it?

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:29 PM

 bfskinner wrote:
Let me be perfectly clear that I don't use ANY single lube (oil, grease, or powder) for every purpose on my layout. After you've tried several, you kind of get a "feel" for what is right. Frankly, I think there is less here than meets the eye. When in doubt, slap a little bear-grease on 'er and let her rip. These babies aren't Rolex's, after all. (That ought to start a riot.)

Use what you want. No riots. What do you think this is, that other forum?! 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 928 posts
Posted by bfskinner on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:15 PM
Let me be perfectly clear that I don't use ANY single lube (oil, grease, or powder) for every purpose on my layout. After you've tried several, you kind of get a "feel" for what is right. Frankly, I think there is less here than meets the eye. When in doubt, slap a little bear-grease on 'er and let her rip. These babies aren't Rolex's, after all. (That ought to start a riot.)
bf
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:02 PM

I work right down the street from Dr. Tinker's house. I stop by whenever I get the chance. He's a very nice guy.  Lubriplate does seem a bit thinner than other white grease. But he's been using it for years and likes it, so I bought some. Big tube for what I need it for!

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 928 posts
Posted by bfskinner on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 1:58 PM
David Laughridge ("Dr. Tinker") kindly included a tube of lubricant with one of my (relatively) large parts orders. Specifically it is Lubripate 630-AA, part number L0067-087 by Fiske Brothers. The manufacturer's website says it is plastic compatible. It is a white lithium grease and seems to be high quality. I use it a lot, especially on my modern loco's and cars.
bf
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5:35 AM

I use Labelle's or Lubriplate. Dr. Tinker uses Lubriplate on all his repairs, so I picked up a tube.

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 928 posts
Posted by bfskinner on Monday, April 23, 2007 9:42 PM

I've been pretty happy with white lithium grease for my modern stuff. I use Lucas Red 'n' Tacky for my postwar locos. You can use a very thin coat. It might better be called "Red 'n' Clingy" because it tends to cling to the moving parts and not get thrown off. It is said to be plastic compatible, but since you can use so little it isn't much of an issue.

Where it is essential not to pick up dirt and grime, such as on couplers, I use graphite powder.

bf
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Monday, April 23, 2007 8:29 PM
I have used ordinary automotive grease for many years with no problems.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Saint James, Long Island, NY
  • 666 posts
Posted by msacco on Monday, April 23, 2007 7:52 PM

I've heard good things about Labelle grease, but I've been using white lithium grease for years. It's pretty cheap and I have had the same tube for 10 years or so. Works well too.

 

Mike S.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: 15 mi east of Cleveland
  • 2,072 posts
Posted by 1688torpedo on Monday, April 23, 2007 7:45 PM
 Hello LS1 Heli-      Labelle makes Grease & Oil that is compatible with plastic gears & it is also good with pre-postwar trains. Just about any Hobby or Train Shop should have it in stock. This is what I use on my trains. Take Care.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: 28 Sager Place Irvington, NJ 07111
  • 265 posts
Best Grease for postwar and modern era?
Posted by LS1Heli on Monday, April 23, 2007 7:21 PM

What are you guys using for grease on your postwar and modern era equipment? I plan on cleaning and re-greasing my #50 gang car.

The grease in the Lionel cleaning and maintenance kit seems like it is for the plastic gear stuff only and after a couple of runs it "liquifies" and basically disppears- like when I opened up my 2343 F3 and there was nothing in there!

I think I could be using something better than that I quality metal to metal gears. Would also like to use some stuff that is plastic compatiable.

Any suggestions?

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month