Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: 1stimestm on July 21, 2024, 10:10:54 am

Title: Re: best oil for new Jensen other than boiler
Post by: Stoker on July 21, 2024, 10:27:33 am

I think most any fairly light machine oil will prove adequate for all of your motion joints and bearing surfaces. I mostly use plain old 3 in 1 oil, which is a non-detergent 20 SAE weight oil. Seeing as none of these applications are for filtered, recycling systems, there really is no need for a detergent oil that keeps particles in suspension. However, with that said, there really is nothing wrong with using a detergent oil in an open system where the oil goes to waste anyway.

Even a small dab of light grease may not go amiss in a situation such as your valve reverser mechanism, especially the long slot, and I find that simple white lithium grease works well there.

Anyplace where steam is likely to come in contact with the surfaces to be lubricated, really should be serviced with real Steam Oil, as it is specifically designed, perhaps engineered would be a better term, to hold on to those surfaces in spite of the cleansing effects of hot steam and water!

Oh yes, and major congratulations on the Acquistion of what is generally thought of as one of the true classic model steam engines. As far as standard production engines go, it is tough to find anything much better than a Jensen #20!!!

Title: best oil for new Jensen other than boiler
Post by: 1stimestm on July 21, 2024, 10:10:54 am

I have my first engine coming this week. As everyone is, Im interested in maintenance and longevity. I know they ship with cylinder oil and I have some wilesco z 83 for the cylinder - I believe both of those are good. My question regards the various linkage involved with the engine. I was thinking of using some of my firearm lubricants that are for semi auto pistol, but those are primarily for sliding areas and Im not sure if they are appropriate for this use. If it makes any difference Its a Jensen 20.
As always, thank you folks as Im on a learning curve!