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Post by cornerfieldrailfan on Jun 16, 2024 2:32:35 GMT
For greasing the gears on all my Lionel or MTH engines I like using Lionel Grease Lubricant that was in the postwar tubes. Well as of of recent I have run out of it. So I thought I would ask here, as I don't have anymore, would anyone be willing to sell theirs they have? Or if I can't find it, what is equivalent I could find at Home Depot or ACE that's just as good. I've had plenty of the Lionel tube grease over the years, but finally have reached to the end that I don't have anymore so I wanted to ask.
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Post by david1 on Jun 16, 2024 2:51:04 GMT
Any lithium grease will do, red and tacky is another one.
Dave
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Post by jackson1966 on Jun 16, 2024 3:13:58 GMT
I've been using Bosch "Purple Grease" for over 30 years now. Available at some Bosch power tool dealers. Good stuff - a little goes a long ways and it stays on for (me) over 10 years.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jun 16, 2024 12:21:39 GMT
MTH grease looks identical to Red n' Tacky and works fine - unlike the grease Lionel seems to put in even its VL engines, which is prone to go solid if the model is kept in store for extended periods. Not really sure about hardware store Lithium grease although I have used it a few times without any drawback.
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Post by cornerfieldrailfan on Jun 16, 2024 14:43:59 GMT
Thank you so much for the 3 responses. I appreciate it. I will look into them.
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Post by ron045 on Jun 16, 2024 14:49:22 GMT
Another fan of red and tacky. I use it for the lawn tractor and for the trains.
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Post by trainman9 on Jun 17, 2024 14:39:19 GMT
I’ve been using Labelle 106 grease with PTFE.
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Post by atsda on Jun 17, 2024 20:04:40 GMT
Tom, Whatever you do, don't use cooking oil, I did that as a kid on a SF Alco over 65 years ago, and I don't think that engine ever worked the same - even after cleanings! Alfred
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Jun 17, 2024 20:11:43 GMT
Tom, Whatever you do, don't use cooking oil, I did that as a kid on a SF Alco over 65 years ago, and I don't think that engine ever worked the same - even after cleanings! Alfred OTOH, it probably really enhanced any salad it was added to . . .
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jun 18, 2024 10:20:01 GMT
I’ve been using Labelle 106 grease with PTFE. That's another good one, and readily available online. But don't hope to find it at your local hardware store, unlike lithium grease - sign of the times.
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Post by atsda on Jun 21, 2024 3:41:07 GMT
Post by steveoncattailcreek on Jun 17, 2024 at 4:11pm Jun 17, 2024 at 4:04pm atsda said: Tom, Whatever you do, don't use cooking oil, I did that as a kid on a SF Alco over 65 years ago, and I don't think that engine ever worked the same - even after cleanings! Alfred OTOH, it probably really enhanced any salad it was added to . . .
There was no issue using a metal salad bowl, the Magnetraction was all fouled up. Alfred
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Post by mrmeep on Jun 25, 2024 23:48:03 GMT
I have had good luck over the years using either the white lithium or white molybdenum greases. They don't harden up, they provide an excellent shear resistant film, withstand high temperatures and long running times and the grease itself has a LONG shelf life!
Tamiya and Woodland Scenics sells white molybdenum greases and white lithium greases. However it is cheaper to buy a small pot of it from your local automotive supply store.
The red "tacky" greases tend to be too thick and cause drag on surfaces and also tend to harden with age.
And you can't go wrong with the OEM recommendations of the old stand-bys of DECADES old "3-in-1" and "Vaseline Petroleum Jelly" for lubes. The Vaseline of today tends to stay supple and not harden and the 3-in-1 of today has been reformulated since the company was sold to "WD-40". Still good, though. And both are plastic and electrically safe.
Lionel's old red and brown greases were essentially re-packaged automotive products of that time period and was the best technology of that day.
Things have improved greatly since then. We now have many different chemical compounds such as the lithium, moly and even silicone greases.
And remember, no matter what you use ... a LITTLE goes a LONG way! Don't over lubricate!
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Post by mrmeep on Jun 25, 2024 23:59:53 GMT
To continue this a little further, my Dad and his Dad always used Pflueger Fishing Reel Oil on their trains and electrical motors. They were doing this before I was born (when their trains were NEW!) and I am 73 and now have those trains and they run as good as the day they were made! (Some are now OVER 100 years old and STILL going strong!) This oil can still be found via *bay at decent prices. I still have the bottle that my Dad was using and he has been gone now for 24 years. Again, a little goes a LONG way! This oil does not run, harden or spoil and stands up to long uses. The cap has a built-in wand to use that will hold exactly one drop (which is all you need) and fit into tight places on trains and accessories. And LaBelle has been making some great hobby oils for over 30 years now that are similar to Pflueger Oil. (click image to enlarge)
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Post by atsda on Jun 26, 2024 0:45:27 GMT
mrmeep, thanks for your informative post. Alfred
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Post by cornerfieldrailfan on Jun 29, 2024 11:51:25 GMT
Thank You so much for the additional replies. I apologize I haven't been on OGF a lot. I have not been good health. This whole week I've been dealing with Shingles.
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