I always used LaBelle. Hard to find locally.
What is your preferred gear lube for HO locomotives?
Thanks in advance!
Non Profit Train Video Review Information.
William
I started using Kadee #231 "Greas-Em" Dry Graphite Lubricant about 2 years ago. A tad on the gear and it will spread to the other gears and last for several months
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
LaBelle is packaged by Con-Cor in Tucson, so it should not be hard to find in Phoenix. The Hobby Place at Ace Hardware in Tucson carries many different brands of lubricants, in addition to all the LaBelle products.
I use a gear lube sold by Woodland Scenics in a plastic dispenser with long, metal spout, or Super Lube Synthetic Grease, or Archer Lube Gel with Teflon, or Automatic Transmission Fluid, or XL Heavy Tacky, or LaBelle 102 or 107, depending on where I am and which one is within easy reach.
Even Pep Boys, NAPA, or other automotive supply house should have a lubricant that is suitable for model railroad uses.
Thanks. Yes I am aware where Con-Cor is located. I used LaBelle grease for decades. If it was easily found close, no question.
Interested in what alternatives people here use.
Woodland Scenics: white gease, moly and gear lube are what I am considering..
Have fun with your trains
I started using Nano-Oil on my Bachmann Shays and Rivarossi Heislers, after many reviews and research based on a gentleman know as the "Shay fixer" , I decided to give it a try. (I have no relationship with either him nor the company)
My results far exceeded my expectations (and yes, I have used Labelle in the past)
Just my
http://www.nano-oil.com/Model%20RailRoad.html
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Lubes can be pretty specifically called for by mfgs. Other times, it seems as it no one really thought that far ahead, assuming whatever they dropped in there at the factory will alst for a lifetime.
For model RR use, a very important spec is that it is plastic-compatible, since most of our models have significant plastic content. Most lubes are OK, but I don't use any that leave that unaddressed. It must say plastic compatible.
Then there's light oil, heavy (gear) oil, and grease.
A light oil is good for close contact lube. Things like axle bearings, motor end bearings, etc have been mentioned.
Heavy oils are good for gears, because they aren't thrown off as they spin in their case; they stick. This is important, as using light oil in this app will see it quickly require more -- and you may just think it's taken care of and ignore it having recently addressed whatever caused you to lube it.
Grease is also a good lube for gears, but often is really too clingy for many model apps, adding excess drag to the drivetrain. I don't use it unless it's clear that's what the factory used or the documentation calls for it.
I'm currently using the Woodland Scenics HL655 for gear oil, LaBelle 108 for light oil and the LaBelle grease (102?) for grease apps.
Graphite works for many apps, but caution is in order as it conducts electricity. And it spreads quite easily, so if you get it somewhere it shouldn't be, it can be a PITA to clean up after.
Moly generally helps with gear lubes and is a useful additive to them. I tend to not use it unless it's called for, in which case you should use the specified lube because you risk damage without moly in the lube.
EDIT: I haven't tried it, but have also heard excellent reports on Nano-Oil from trusted sources.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have used Woodland Scenics gear lube for years, and I am very pleased with it.
I also use Woodland Scenics medium oil for other lubrication purposes.
Rich
Alton Junction
I also advocate Nano-oil. I have tried just about everything over the years and settled on Labelle a long time ago because it was always at my shop and worked well. However, after trying Nano-oil's 3 pack of 5, 10 and 85 weight, I swapped to it for MRR and RC hobbies. Sticks better than Labelle in my experience. Less throw off and longer lasting.
The Nano Oil states for metal to metal. Any newbies take note. HO diesel locos such as: Athearn, Atlas, Kato etc.. Use only 'plastic compatable' lubricants. Perhaps these users know it's ok for plastic. Just a general FYI.
Have used Labelle since the 1970's. Just looking at alternatives.
Still researching what you people are using. Appreciate the replies.
GP39 The Nano Oil states for metal to metal. Any newbies take note. HO diesel locos such as: Athearn, Atlas, Kato etc.. Use only 'plastic compatable' lubricants. Perhaps these users know it's ok for plastic. Just a general FYI. SNIP
SNIP
There is a statement that Nano-Oil is compatible with all metal or plastic surfaces on the website.
mlehmanGraphite works for many apps, but caution is in order as it conducts electricity. And it spreads quite easily, so if you get it somewhere it shouldn't be, it can be a PITA to clean up after.
Absolutely..When it comes to Graphite its best to remember that jingle from years ago that started-a little dab will do ya.
Vaseline.
_________________________________________________________________
I always understood that Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is incompatible with some plastics & have never considered using it. Do you know something I don't know?
Tom
I've been using Vaseline for years on plastic and metal gears, and even on some softer styrene models with moving parts. Never had a problem with it eating plastic, so I keep on using it!
I tried Graphite in the 1980's. It tended to migrate from the gears. Too messy for me.
Woodland Scenics Gear Lube. I will try that out. I like the extended tip. Great for Protos and hard to reach places. Your feedback makes it worth a look. Thanks!
Anyone use the Woodland Scenics Moly Grease or their White Grease?
GP39I tried Graphite in the 1980's. It tended to migrate from the gears. Too messy for me.
Allow me to share a oops! lesson of mine..The first time I used Graphite I used way to much and the end result was Graphite was everywhere.
I use a tab on my fishing reel gears and that works quite well..Why I used way to much on my locomotive gears still remains a mystery to this day.
BRAKIE SNIP Why I used way to much on my locomotive gears still remains a mystery to this day.
Why I used way to much on my locomotive gears still remains a mystery to this day.
Yeah, I've done that, too. I think powdered graphite is suspecptible to picking a static charge. It often comes in a plastic container of some sort, making it kind of a "puffer" dispenser while helping build a charge. After riding around however it gets to your workshop, it's shook up good, with no place to go, like a little static thundercloud all bottled up. The first time you release it, that little cloud comes out...whoops. This has led me to always do a small test squeeze away from wherever the critical puff will go to make sure it doesn't get buried in graphite.
Just have to mention.
Woodland Scenics Gear Lube works wonders on sometimes noisy Athearn gears. Had a couple of problem child GP40 RTR series. Blows away the LaBelle 106 for that task. My new favorite for gears. Been happy with their oils for years.
Thanks for the help!